The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

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Chapter 80

Merrick and Freya were making such a big deal about taking photos with Noella, as if they were more excited than if they finished novels or won science awards. They even dug out their wedding outfits to snap pics with her.

Freya’s rocking this burgundy silk dress, and man, she’s still got it all grace and poise. The dress just added to her charm.

Merrick’s suit was an oldie but goodie, with a well–preserved fleur–de–lis brooch adding a touch. of scholarly kindness.

Noella, sandwiched between the two old–timers, snapped their first group selfie.

Freya was over the moon, and she waved at Tristan and Sienna, who look like they were about to drool with envy.

They were practically itching to jump in and take pics with their daughter.

away

Last time at the birthday bash, they were so busy clicking at their girl that they totally spaced on getting a group shot. Now they were kicking themselves over it.

“Come on, get in here. We’ll photoshop Stirling and Elara in later.”

The whole family ended up taking a bunch of photos together.

Merrick couldn’t wait to switch his profile pic to the selfie with Noella. He hightailed it to chat with Marcel, “Whoa, why did I change my profile pic? Can’t quite make out who’s in it, can you?” Marcel was in the middle of a chess game with Sexton, and when he saw that message, he was so close to flipping out. “That sly old fox’s showing off his pic with Noella, huh? Just wait until she visits me in the hospital. I’ll get my photo op too!”

Seeing Noella all cozy with Merrick in the photo, Marcel was getting all choked up.

Why didn’t he think to take a pic with his granddaughter?

Now he’s just got to sit there and watch Merrick strut his stuff!

In the Schnabel family group chat, Beckett ‘accidentally‘ dropped à ton of Noella’s pics. including the fresh ones they just took.

Ulrich: [Noella’s looking adorable. That outfit’s perfect on her. Grandma doing okay? I’ll swing by after my surgery.]

Stirling: [What’s the deal here? Why didn’t we take any when I was home?!]

Elara: [No biggie, I got Photoshop.]

She played it cool, but she quickly edited herself into the group shot and uploaded it to the chat.

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act. You’re

kick me out? I can’t stand to leave you, my baby girl! Oh

I’ll swing by Emerald County when I can. I’ll

with

take loads.”

and dropped the recording of the call

chat.

Stirling was livid.

up drama to get

chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I

“Sure.”

photo requests,

ever took pics and didn’t have many keepsakes.

as a kid. And when she was laid to rest, that photo went with her into the grave. Therefore, Noella didn’t have a single picture left from her time

when no one’s watching and planting a kiss

felt a warm current flowing through her heart as she sensed Freya’s love in that

act.

you to check out the

“Sure.” She answered.

off with Beckett, Noella heard him humming a tune. Sounding like he’s in a particularly good

folks weren’t always like this. Dad used to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just changed – no joke, you’d have thought he was this

time, there was an elevator accident at the mall, and a kid was stuck.

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with the kid, but no, he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be if someone did that

losing you, and Mom just broke down and got ill. Elara’s great, but we missed you too.

of silence, Noella cracked a smile too,

leave the Schnabels once

so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still a family even if

then moved and reassured as he pinched Noella’s cheek.

the best, a true

lines of his own, telling Elara to stay put with the Schnabel family because

quickly bombarded him with a stream

Beckett? You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love

phone and felt a throb in his temples.

moment, he couldn’t help but curse with a chuckle, “What a cheeky girl. She just

the corners of his mouth still curled up in a