Chapter 6
Chapter 6:
Rosanna was by Sandra’s side, gripping her arm as if playing the dutiful daughter for the cameras no one could see.
Without saying another word, Tricia slipped out of the room, sensing the tension.
Jarrod closed the space between them, towering slightly over Maia as he looked down with smug contempt.
“You were really bold outside the prison this morning. What’s the deal now? Sneaking back in like this? Let me guess. With a record like yours, no one’s gonna hire you. So you came crawling back. We’re the only ones still willing to throw you a scrap, aren’t we p>
With a lifted brow and a voice filled with sarcasm, he said, “Here’s a thought — admit everything now. Post a public apology to the Morgan family, and maybe we’ll let you stick around out of pity. Sound fair p>
Jarrod had been simmering with rage ever since that morning.
That stunt Maia pulled with the press had bruised the Morgan name, and while he hadn’t lashed out then, he was done holding it in.
Now that she had walked straight into their home, he planned to crush whatever defiance she still had left from prison.
Putting Maia in her place felt long overdue, and now that she had returned to the house, Jarrod believed it was his right to set her straight.
An apology, a fresh start, and keeping her distance from Rosanna — that was all it would take for him to consider letting Maia back into the family.
Her around barely made a dent in the Morgan finances. Feeding her and offering shelter was no different from tossing away loose change.
Still, even freeloaders usually had the sense to be polite. A bit of humility wasn’t too much to expect. But Maia acted like the world owed her a debt. That attitude made his blood boil.
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When Maia stepped forward, Jarrod lifted a brow and folded his arms, fully expecting her to stop and beg for forgiveness.
Instead, she walked right past him without a single glance, heading straight toward Rosanna.
His smugness vanished in an instant.
Then again, Rosanna was the one Maia had insulted publicly. Maybe this was her way of making things right.
But what came out of Maia’s mouth next shattered that assumption.
“Where are my things, Rosanna p>
Rosanna stiffened on the spot. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes before she painted on a look of pure innocence. “What things? Maia, I have no idea what you’re going on about p>
A cold fire lit up Maia’s eyes, the kind that didn’t just glare — it cut. Her stare locked onto Rosanna like a blade, and her tone came out flat, stripped of emotion. “This is the last time I’ll ask. Where did you put everything that was in my room p>
Instantly, Rosanna’s face crumpled into a pitiful expression, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Maia. I just… I thought they’d wear out if I left them there too long. I figured I’d replace them once you came back, so I p>
Before she could finish, a loud slap cracked through the room, cutting the air like lightning.
Rosanna’s cheek flared red with a vivid mark where Maia’s hand had struck. Frozen in disbelief, she barely registered Maia’s voice cutting through the moment like a whip. “Who gave you the right to go through my things p>
Jarrod’s expression twisted in shock, his eyes darkening with fury.
In a rush, he moved in front of Rosanna, shielding her with his body. One look at her tear-streaked face, swollen from the rising bruise on her cheek, and something snapped inside him. His hands curled into fists.
Maia striking Rosanna was enough to make his blood boil. It was clear she had no respect for him whatsoever.