Rejected No More: I Am Way Out Of Your League, Darling!

Chapter 523:

His gaze hardened as memories surfaced—how Daniela had grown up without a mother’s love, while Katrina had taken everything that had once belonged to Brylee, raising her own daughter like royalty. A surge of rage coursed through Cedric; he wanted to destroy Katrina in that moment.

Panic gripped Katrina as she stumbled backward, losing her balance before tumbling down the stairs. Her scream echoed through the villa, sharp and filled with pain. Katrina had broken two ribs.

As she was rushed to the hospital, Joyce burst out of her room. She stood there, utterly confused, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. She had hoped Katrina would save her from the cruel torment. But now that Katrina was injured, what could she do? What was left for her?

Joyce froze at the top of the stairs, her legs trembling as memories of the endless, inhuman torture she had suffered flooded her mind. Steeling herself, she made her way slowly down the stairs.

Seeing Caiden watching TV, she tried to summon the image of the obedient daughter she once was.

“Dad.”

Caiden didn’t even glance at her, his voice cold as he snorted.

“I’m not your dad.”

Joyce understood the resentment in his voice. Kneeling beside him, she tried to reach him. Her face remained ghostly pale, still marked by the trauma she had suffered. With desperation, she grasped Caiden’s hand and begged, “Dad, I know I acted horribly before, but I’ve changed.

You’re getting older. Please, let me take care of you. I’m still your loyal daughter.”

Your escape begins with gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․𝓬𝗈m

Caiden’s gaze shifted to Joyce at her words. After all, he had once cared deeply for her, and for a moment, compassion stirred in him. Joyce bowed her head, letting it rest against his knee, her voice soft and vulnerable.

“Dad, you know I’ve always been a bit naive, just a little stubborn.

You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”

Caiden clenched his jaw, his silence speaking volumes.

Seeing the familiar softness in his expression, Joyce pressed further, her eyes shining with determination.

“I really mean it, Dad. Everything I’ve gone through has shown me just how much family matters.

You’re the most important person in my life.”

Caiden often melted at sweet words, but Joyce’s next words caught him off guard.

“Dad, if you pay off that hundred-million-dollar debt for me, I’ll change my last name to Harper.”

The mention of a hundred million shattered any lingering fantasy Caiden had of a heartfelt family reconciliation.

“What did you say?” Caiden squinted at Joyce, his confusion quickly turning to disbelief. She might have once been his daughter, but now she seemed like a parasite, clinging to him with nothing but greed.

Thinking she had finally softened him, Joyce was blindsided by what happened next. Caiden suddenly sprang to his feet, and Joyce was thrown off balance, stumbling to the floor in shock.

“Dad…”

“Don’t you dare call me Dad. Have you lost all sense of guilt? I fed you, clothed you, and raised you. I even turned my back on my own daughter for you. And now you want to take everything I have?”

Joyce shook her head fervently.

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