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

tightening as a wave of

swear — I will never let you get close

her heel and stormed off to her room, the door slamming

stared into the mirror,

came into their lives, her

like a stone, stealing her breath.

cannot let

through her contacts until her gaze landed on Ethan

to life in

secrets, and Ethan, Maia’s brother and

from Ethan about Maia, she might have the chance

that Maia still had