Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 638:

Raising her chin defiantly, she met his gaze. “Hurst, hear me out. If you choose Maia as my stepmother, we’re done. I will not call you my father anymore.”

“You’re being ridiculous!” Hurst’s voice thundered. “There’s nothing between Ms. Watson and me. Nothing like what you’re imagining!”

Hurst’s hands quivered, knuckles whitening as fury surged through him. His eyes burned with rage as he lifted his hand, fingers curling mid-air — poised to strike Melanie across the face.

Melanie’s eyes narrowed, unconvinced. “Nothing? Then why are you so worked up? Why defend a thief?” She stepped closer, her voice icy. “Go ahead, hit me if you want. Then you can marry whoever you please because I will never see you as my father anymore.”

Hurst’s hand shot up, trembling with fury, but the memory of Melanie’s mother flashed in his mind — her gentle smile, the promises he’d made.

His face flushed, veins pulsing at his temples.

Slowly, his hand dropped, his voice a strained rasp. “You’re… impossible.”

frustrated curse, Hurst stormed out, the door slamming in

frozen, her chest tightening as a wave of resentment surged

swear — I will never let you get close to my

the door

the mirror, her reflection framed by reddened

Maia came into their lives, her father had

of Maia, pressed against her chest like a stone, stealing her breath. Her fingers tightened

let Maia

her. She grabbed her phone, scrolling through her contacts until her gaze landed

to life in

make her father despise Maia, she needed to uncover Maia’s secrets, and Ethan, Maia’s brother

extract some secrets from Ethan about Maia, she

she found that Maia still