The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 245 Being Ignored

As noon approached, Ethan's sleek car glided to a halt outside the Harper estate. Clad in his signature tailored black suit with artfully tousled hair, Ethan cut a striking figure, embodying effortless style with a touch of sophistication.

To everyone's astonishment, Ethan emerged with an uncharacteristic smile, his usual icy demeanor visibly softened. The tension that typically coiled around his broad shoulders had evaporated.

Rosie's eyes were glued to Ethan. Months had slipped by since she had last seen him, and now here he was, beaming-surely that smile was meant for her. Her heart fluttered with hope.

"Ethan!" she called out eagerly, maneuvering her wheelchair toward him with unseemly haste.

Brenna set her salad fork down with deliberate calm. She had intended to greet Ethan, but Rosie's desperate interception made her pause. Watching the scene with detached amusement, she waited for Rosie to be ignored by Ethan.

Ethan, buoyed by the significance of being included in a Harper family gathering, even offered Rosie a rare courtesy. "How's your recovery coming along?" he asked.

The words were polite, yet his gaze never strayed from Brenna. The warmth in his eyes as he looked at her could have melted glaciers, his expression tender with affection.

Without waiting for a response from Rosie, he strode past her as if she were merely part of the landscaping,

making a beeline for Brenna.

Rosie's face crumpled. The brutal dismissal cut deeper than any physical pain from her injuries. Even Ethan's retreating figure seemed to reject her, his entire being focused solely on Brenna.

Hot tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

The Harper siblings exchanged knowing glances. They felt no sympathy for Rosie, and Audrey even believed Rosie had brought the humiliation upon herself.

elders with uncharacteristic deference, the normally

handing the gifts Ethan had brought to

with the Harper siblings, Ethan finally reached Brenna. From his jacket pocket,

it, her smile finally reaching her eyes.

bloom to her nose, inhaling its fragrance

maneuvered closer. The sight of that rose-a symbol of affection-in Brenna's hands sent jealousy churning through

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smile. "I made your favorite soup," she told Ethan, pretending her heart wasn't shattering.

noncommittal nod, the bare minimum of courtesy required in the presence of

Brenna, who had just returned to the family, had somehow enchanted everyone around her. The girl possessed an

finesse was remarkable

Rosie... She was different.

household, Luther believed only he truly had Rosie's best interests

he was no overbearing patriarch in this family. While he wouldn't meddle in matters

took root in his mind-when the moment was right, he

picked them myself," Rosie declared, sliding a porcelain

herself beside Ethan during

your favorite dish," she murmured, invoking childhood memories like a finely

finesse, she placed some food onto Ethan's

hope.

do this. I am

it!" The protest burst forth from her throat. "You've

gaze darted to Brenna. "Surely you can appreciate childhood bonds? You

just shrugged, her demeanor