Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 221

Shepard stood outside the door, listening as every word of Effie's conversation with her grandmother drifted through the thin, battered wood. His weathered face was so dark with anger, it looked as if a storm might break across it at any moment.

He was still standing out here did they think he was invisible? Dead?

Taking a deep breath, Shepard forced himself to knock again, voice straining for composure. "Mom, it's me. I came to see you... Mom?"

At the sound of his shout, the smile instantly vanished from the old woman's face. Effie yanked open the door, glaring at him. "Shepard, what is wrong with you? Who said you could stand out here yelling like that?”

The moment he saw her, Shepard's gaze turned cold, a flash of irritation darkening his eyes. His voice was icy. "Effie, who taught you to be so rude?" She arched an eyebrow, her look making it perfectly clear-wasn't it you? "Sorry, I was born with a father, but never raised by one. That's just how it is." Shepard bit down hard in frustration. This damn girl-every time they met, she managed to drive him up the wall.

He drew in another breath, fighting to swallow his anger. He hadn't come here to get into another shouting match with Effie.

you before you could have stayed with the Bagnold family, but

then. Even if she had stayed with the Bagnolds, life wouldn't have been any better. She'd

two of you? I'm worried the air in that house is so toxic, I

face was thunderous, darker than

stop coming

your father!" Shepard ground

father. Mine died the day he decided to cheat." Effie's

jaw creaked as he clenched it. "You've gotten sharper since last time, haven't

sternly-last time, he'd lost his temper and

it weren't for the fact that no Al