Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 426

Chapter 426

Scott’s remark was swiftly met with stern reprimands from both their father and eldest brother, Rick.

But when she turned to Rick-normally the serious, composed one-his expression was just as cold as before.

“I hope you’ll know your place,” he said. “Victoria is our biological relative, not some imposter. The grudges of the previous generation shouldn’t be passed down to us. I expect you to adjust your mindset accordingly. The Kalen family isn’t large. I don’t want any rumors spreading about discord among kin.”

As someone born into a prestigious family, Rick had seen his fair share of scandals-illegitimate children, fake heiresses, family feuds. In order to preserve the family’s image and avoid public ridicule, he made his stance clear from the start. Richard chuckled and tried to smooth things over. “Rick, you’re being too serious. It’s only Jenna’s first day home. You’re going to scare her off. As for rules and propriety, we can teach her slowly. A few days won’t make a difference.”

Then her second brother, Silas, who had been silent until now, chimed in. “I actually agree with Rick. It’s better to make these things clear to Jenna now, rather than let her step out of line and embarrass our family. If she really causes a scandal, no decent family’s son will want to marry her.” 1

It wasn’t hard to read between the lines. To them, her return to the Kalen family was nothing more than a way to “add polish”- a bid to increase her value on the marriage market.

After all, the Kalens were one of the most elite families in the country.

At the time, Sharon had been young and naïve. She never imagined that the familial love she had longed for would come in such a bitter package.

had assumed that since she and her three brothers shared the same mother, they would at least treat her with

not only were they entirely unmoved by

any hostility toward Sharon… but neither did

to act like close sisters. Everyone understood the truth behind the arrangement, and maintaining a facade

feel it-the subtle shift in the household dynamic brought on by

to Victoria’s, and all her food, clothing, and daily needs

had, so

either one of them just because of

in fact, that

yet, something always felt…

a long time after that, she and Victoria maintained a polite but

overall atmosphere in the house

when she greeted

had a harsh tongue, but at least he meant well. He would acknowledge her when they crossed paths and never treated her