Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Luna clenched her jaw in secret, stewing with resentment, but kept her tone soft as she said, “Sis, I would never covet anything that belongs to Grandma.
“But you… wearing it like this, doesn’t it seem a little inappropriate p>
That was when Susan finally spoke up. “Autumn, if you really like bracelets, we can go to an auction sometime and get you something even prettier, alright?
“But this one was meant for your future sister–in–law. Why don’t you put it back? We’ll pretend we never saw it. Grandma won’t have to know p>
Hector, on the other hand, scoffed.
“Susan, you’re just encouraging her. She’s already spoiled rotten–makes a mess, never admits her mistakes, and lies like it’s second nature.
“Autumn, you better go apologize to Grandma. Otherwise, there’s no way this ends here p>
Richard added his own scolding. “Autumn, no matter how much you like something, if it isn’t yours, you can’t just take it.
“How many times have I taught you that? Just return it. Grandma loves you. She won’t hold it against you.
Autumn suddenly hurled the box straight at Luna’s face.
“You really have no shame, throwing dirt on me every chance you get!
“You asked Grandma for it, and she turned you down, so now you’re accusing me of stealing?
“I’m not like you, Luna. I don’t eye every shiny thing that isn’t mine. If I want something, I earn it myself p>
The blow stung, and Luna’s eyes filled with tears.
She choked up, trying to explain, “Sis, you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t accusing you… Grandma said that in front of everyone. I wasn’t lying p>
Seeing Luna get hit, Hector sprang forward, raising his hand toward Autumn.
“You really are hopeless, Autumn. There’s no saving you p>
“Enough p>
A commanding voice rang out from upstairs.
It was Ginny.
“I gave that bracelet to Autumn. If any of you have a problem with it, bring it to me. What do you think you’re doing taking it out on her p>
The slap to their pride landed hard.
Chapter 33
+25 BONUS
The room went silent.
No one had time to react–her words hit like a hammer.
Richard’s face darkened as he turned to his mother. “Mom, don’t make up stories just to protect Autumn. You’re only hurting her in the long run p>
Ginny came down the stairs and, without hesitation, slapped him across the face.
“Autumn’s your daughter too. If you can’t treat her fairly, the least you can do is not insult her.
“What I said was that this bracelet was going to someone. I never said it was for a granddaughter–in–law–you all just assumed that yourselves.
“And let me make one thing clear–when the time comes, I’ll write a will. Everything I own will go to Autumn. No one else p>
Luna’s hand curled into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.
But she didn’t even feel the pain.
She was also Ginny’s granddaughter, so why did Autumn get everything while she was left with nothing?
“Mom, you say I play favorites, but aren’t you doing the same thing now?” Richard said, holding his stinging cheek, looking both helpless and frustrated.
Ginny settled onto the sofa, her gaze sweeping across the room.
“Luna already has all of you doting on her. If I don’t show Autumn a little bias, she’ll be bullied to death in this
house.
“Her mother’s gone. And you, as her father, along with her two brothers, have all chosen to side with someone else. If I don’t protect her, then who will p>
She pulled Autumn down to sit beside her.
The moment she saw the mark on Autumn’s face, her expression darkened. “Who hit her p>
Simon stepped forward, speaking without hesitation. “I did. But Autumn p>
Before he could finish, Ginny’s cane came down hard,
One strike,
Then another.
And another.
Simon stood there stunned, trying to shield himself as the blows kept coming.
“Grandma! This isn’t fair!” he protested, still reeling. “She was the one who started it—why are you hitting me?