Reborn From Oblivion by Christia Muray

Chapter 173

Nathalie made her way up the stairs and stood in front of Patrick, her voice steady but firm. "I've changed my name. I'm not Nellie anymore. I'm Nathalie."

Patrick reacted as if she'd slapped him. He lunged at her, his hands tightening around her neck in a fit of rage. "You've forgotten your own heritage. Nellie, if I'd known you'd turn out so rebellious, I'd have tossed you into a ditch the day you were born." Even as she struggled for air, Nathalie's pride remained unshaken. "You may as well finish me off now," she shot back defiantly.

Patrick's grip only tightened, but Nathalie didn't resist. She simply glared at him, eyes filled with a deep-seated resentment as if staring down a lifelong enemy.

Her icy stare unnerved Patrick, and just as she was on the brink of suffocation, he snapped back to his senses and let go. "Your mother's waiting for you in her room," he managed to say, breathless.

Nathalie didn't waste a word on him and headed straight for Miranda's room.

As Patrick watched his daughter walk away, he couldn't ignore the contradiction-she looked so frail, but her spirit was unyielding as iron. She'd said their bond was broken, and true to her word, she never called him "father" again.

a daughter

estranged, with Patrick showing no interest in visiting Miranda or Nathalie for years. Now, they seemed to have reconciled,

Miranda's voice beckoned her

and hollow-eyed. There was no joy in their long-awaited reunion, only an awkward

broke it. "After the scene you and your sister caused, it's

it true?" Miranda was stunned into silence, her mouth opening and closing without

it clear

bond with the Brown family. It remained to be

she convinced your father to stay and care for me. I raised you, so it's only fair

you're not on your deathbed,

Miranda sat there, speechless.

when Nathalie reached the door, she found it locked from the outside. That's when it hit