A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“When I was in middle school, my dad lost his job because the factory laid off a bunch of workers. My mom, though–she’d always worked so hard–she was spared. After that, my dad just… changed. He started drinking every day, playing cards with his buddies. One time, my mom tried talking to him, just said a few words, and he smashed a beer bottle over her head.”

Vera’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it was as if she’d finally found a crack to let all the pain spill out. She didn’t know if the girl sitting across from her–a girl who’d clearly grown up with every

advantage–could ever understand what it was like for a family like hers. But right now, she had no one else to talk to. No one except the girl in

front of her.

“Mom, are you okay?”

Vera, just twelve then, had rushed up to her house when she saw a crowd gathered at the front steps.

In the living room, broken glass from beer bottles was scattered everywhere. Her mother, Carla, was sitting on the floor clutching her head; blood dripped through her fingers, spattering the hardwood with

blossoms of red.

“Vera.” Carla looked stunned, but instinctively pulled her daughter into her

arms.

doing?” Vera stared at

to be understanding–after all, they knew how hard the layoff had hit him. They didn’t nag, didn’t complain, just hoped he’d snap out

“a few days” turned into

just finished working overtime for the fourth night in a row. She was finally off early and

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Chapter 385

cook something special,

piled high in the sink.

to hold back, muttered a couple of complaints while cleaning up. She never expected her husband to hurl a bottle at her. “I… I…” The man’s face was pale, panic flickering in his eyes as he dropped the jagged remains of the

few steps back, looking lost, but when he caught

of the house! I can do what I want! If you don’t listen, I’ll do

her. Sure, he’d always been

you looking at? It’s my wife–I’ll

the men in the crowd called out, half–joking, and a

talks back, I give her a smack too! She still listens,

word of encouragement, Hamlin seemed to swell with pride, the earlier panic gone,