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.”

stormed out, the door slamming

stood frozen, her chest tightening as a wave of

I will never let you get close to my

her heel and stormed off to her room, the door slamming behind her with a force that

she stared into the mirror, her reflection

into their lives,

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

let Maia

contacts until her gaze landed on Ethan — Maia’s

plan flickered to life in

uncover Maia’s secrets, and Ethan, Maia’s brother

she might have the chance to make

she found that Maia still had some intimate relationships with other