Chapter 251 She Is An Outsider

Despite his small stature, Locke spoke with the sharpness of a child who understood more than most gave him

credit for.

“If you’re really my mom, then why didn’t you come with Dad to get me?”

Linda’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of unease crossing her features. But she quickly masked

it, smoothing out her expression with practiced charm.

“I wasn’t your mother before,” she cooed, her voice honeyed yet hollow. “But now I will be. Isn’t that nice?”

“Why?” Locke asked bluntly, eyes narrowing with distrust. “You don’t even like me. I don’t want you to be my

mom.”

Then, just like that, he stood up, ready to leave–ready to run.

Before he could take a step, Linda’s fingers clamped around his tiny arm. Not rough, but firm.

Her voice dipped, low and sharp, a far cry from the gentle act she’d been putting on. “Listen to me, Locke, I’m going to marry your father. That means–whether you like it or not–I will be your mother.”

“No! Let me go!” the boy cried, yanking at his arm, his small body twisting in panic.

Terror surged through him, and without thinking, he ran.

He sprinted blindly, breath coming in quick gasps—until he crashed into Nyla’s legs. “Locke? What happened?”

The way his small hands clutched at Nyla–the way his body trembled against her–said everything. He was

scared.

“Locke!”

Linda stormed after the boy, her expression dark with frustration. Her anger flickered, replaced momentarily by

surprise when she saw Nyla.

“Great–grandma.” At the sight of Nyla, Locke didn’t hesitate–he burrowed deeper into her embrace, his small body trembling as he turned his back to Linda. He clung to Nyla as if she were his shield, refusing to even look

at Linda.

The message was painfully clear.

Everyone in the Flynn family knew–Linda had never liked Locke.

“Locke, don’t be afraid. It’s okay, honey.” Nyla’s voice was a soothing whisper, laced with quiet sorrow.

As her eldest great–grandchild, the boy should have had everything–a childhood filled with warmth, security,

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and love. Instead, he had spent three years in hardship, growing up in a world that never made room for him.

Alone. Forgotten. Unwanted. The weight of it made Nyla’s chest tighten.

him closer. “I’m here, Locke. There’s no reason to be

anger as she glared at Nyla. “What are you trying

that’s why he’s afraid of me?”

Nyla exhaled slowly, shaking her head with quiet disappointment.

but firm. “Locke is just a child. He’s only

the boy nestled against her, his small frame rigid with fear. “He’s still learning. Don’t take his words or actions

“I…”

from her face in quick succession, embarrassment colliding with rising anger.

exactly how much Nyla

been welcomed into the Flynn family was because of

saved the Flynn brothers. That debt had secured her a place among them.

was here… Nyla’s

Linda wasn’t family. Not really. She

going on

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

Locke moved first. “Dad!”

little boy scrambled down from Nyla’s lap and planted himself squarely in front of Ernest. For someone

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

tiny fists clenched, his words trembling on the verge

a glance up at Ernest, searching his face for a

look–so fragile, so uncertain–sent a

was just a child. And yet, he already

his father had the power to

crouched down and pulled Locke

letting go would mean losing everything. His voice shrank

small frame trembling as he

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251 She Is An Outsider

from his son’s cheeks, his voice steady, reassuring. “This is your home. No matter what happens, I don’t want you thinking

“Dad!”

heart ached. She reached out, stroking Locke’s soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s not cry anymore,

tears slowed. He blinked up at her, sniffling

and son was undeniable–a picture of familial love that should have

comforting.

was suffocating. She had been completely forgotten, pushed

word, she turned and made her

“Hadley!”

that moment, Eric stepped out of his room, freshly changed, his sharp gaze immediately catching sight of Hadley walking toward him with a bowl of yogurt

he reached her, his eyes flickered toward the hallway–just in time to see Linda retreat into her

going on? What happened?”

had a fight,” Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully. “Seems

fought over

his words carefully. “Maybe she just… doesn’t know how

smirked, lifting the spoon toward him. “Want

moment before leaning in, taking the

it good?”

appreciatively. “Can

the bowl

head. “You’re impossible. How about I have this bowl, and

more later?”

room, suitcase in

standing side by side in front of their room, sharing a bowl of

been so certain–so

had been someone else entirely. And they

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She is in

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