Chapter 115
+25 BONUS
Two cars came to a stop outside.
Lucas was the first to get out, followed closely by the uninvited Morgan and Lori.
Ariel’s expression darkened. She had never intended to invite Morgan to Elena’s death anniversary ceremony. Most of Elena’s suffering came from Morgan. And in all the years since she passed, Morgan had never once visited her grave.
So what was he doing here now?
“Ari, why didn’t you let me know about today?” Morgan, frowning, walked up to her. His expression showed a mix of frustration and resignation. “I should be here for this.”
Ariel instinctively glanced at Lucas. If it weren’t for him, Morgan might have forgotten the day entirely.
When Lucas met her gaze, he frowned as if he was about to say something.
But Morgan waved his hand and said, “Don’t blame Lucas. Elena and I were once married, after all. How could I forget this day?”
Ariel couldn’t help but feel amused. Morgan’s hypocrisy was sickening. Of all days, he chose to show up today?
The Walker family wasn’t the least bit happy to see him.
“We don’t need you here. My grandma and uncle don’t want to see you either. Please leave,” Ariel said, her voice as cold as ice.
Morgan frowned, looking at her with a mix of complexity and displeasure. “What’s with the attitude? Don’t forget, I’m your father.”
Ariel smiled. “Mr. Walker, should I remind you that I’m a Walker?”
Their father–daughter bond had evaporated three years ago.
“You…” Morgan’s face darkened.
Furious, he said, “You’re becoming more like your mom–stubborn and impossible to reason with. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have married Mr. Larkin and lived this comfortable life as Mrs. Larkin. You could’ve never reached that level on your own!”
To him, Ariel was nothing but an ingrate.
Ariel’s expression turned cold. Recalling her sufferings from the past three years, she mocked, “Oh, you’re right. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”
If it hadn’t been for Morgan paying the paparazzi to stake out the hotel and snap those photos of her with Jayson in bed, Jayson wouldn’t have misunderstood, and she wouldn’t have ended up tangled in this disastrous marriage.
What was there left to value in a father who’d trade his daughter’s reputation for public entertainment?
“You’re not welcome here. Don’t disturb my grandma. Please leave.”
Ariel’s gaze grew colder. She no longer bothered with pretending. She had no more patience for them.
1/2
Chapter IIS
+25 BONUS
On this day of mourning, the Sandersons were here only to cause trouble.
Morgan’s face twisted with anger.
As he looked at Ariel, his eyes were full of accusation and disappointment. To him, simply showing up today should have been seen as an honor.
Yet Ariel had the audacity to turn him away?
Lori scoffed loudly. “The Walker family has only a few members. We only came out of pity, and you don’t even appreciate it? You really don’t know what’s good for you!”
Lucas‘ eyes shifted toward her, dark and unreadable.
Ariel shot back, “Not knowing what’s good for me is better than being as delusional as the two of you.”
None of them were welcome here.
Lori fumed for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. She peeked around, looking over the yard. “Where’s Mr. Larkin? Isn’t it a special day? Why isn’t he with you?”
Her smile was dripping with mockery. “Aren’t you curious why he isn’t here?”
Ariel had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
The next second, Lori tilted her head and continued with a grin, “Because he’s celebrating his living future mother -in–law’s birthday!”
She placed extra emphasis on the word “living“, clearly trying to undermine the solemnity of Elena’s death anniversary.
Ariel froze. She hadn’t expected this turn of events.
Lori pulled out her phone and shoved it into Ariel’s face. “Ms. Stanton posted on her Instagram this morning. Today is Mrs. Stanton’s birthday, and Mr. Larkin booked a resort villa for a party. Why would he remember your mother’s gloomy death anniversary?”
