Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 501:

After the competition ended, Melanie dragged herself home, each step heavier than the last. She pushed open the door and made a beeline for her bedroom, only to freeze at the unexpected sight of her father — who typically worked late — already occupying the living room.

Hurst sat perched on the sofa in his crisp business suit, one leg crossed elegantly over the other, a financial newspaper held loosely in his hands. A slight furrow marked his otherwise composed features. His eyes flicked to the clock before settling on her with glacial disapproval. “So you’ve finally decided to come home? Do you even know what time it is?”

Hurst had reached his limit. First came the incident with Maia’s younger brother at school, and now this pattern of locking herself away the moment she crossed the threshold. He felt increasingly certain that his daughter needed firmer boundaries — the days of indulgence were over.

Melanie’s pulse quickened as her mind raced for a plausible excuse. She’d kept the gaming competition a complete secret from her father. In Hurst’s old-fashioned worldview, video games were nothing but a wasteful distraction. Luckily, his packed schedule usually kept him too busy to track school activities or notice esports tournaments.

Armed with this reassurance, Melanie softened her tone as she replied, “Today, the evening study session ran late.”

Hurst lowered the newspaper, studying Melanie’s face intently. Finding nothing suspicious in her expression, he gave a brief nod. “Get some rest and try to maintain a proper schedule.” He lifted the financial pages back to eye level, considering the matter closed.

Melanie lingered uncertainly, then drifted toward her father’s seat, coming to a stop directly before him. Sensing her presence, Hurst looked up. “What is it? Something you need to tell me?” He set the newspaper aside again, eyes narrowing slightly as he examined her. “You haven’t stirred up more trouble at school today, have you?”

Melanie parted her lips to speak, then faltered.

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Unbidden, the image of Maia’s composed yet kind face materialized in her thoughts, alongside the echoes of classmates singing Maia’s praises… A strange feeling bubbled up within her chest.

“Dad,” she suddenly blurted, “have you ever thought about finding me a new mom?”

Silence fell over the living room.

Startled by the question, Hurst raised his head. “What did you just say?” Across the room, Melanie looked just as confused as he did.

She had no idea why those words had slipped out of her mouth. Maybe, after learning more about Maia, she suddenly realized it wouldn’t be so bad to have a stepmother like Maia?

That was absolutely ridiculous.

With a quick shake of her head, Melanie threw up her hands. “Forget it. It was just a dumb question. I’m heading back to my room now.” Without giving anyone a chance to stop her, she spun on her heel and disappeared down the hallway.

A sharp slam followed as her bedroom door shut tightly, slicing through the tension still lingering in the air.

Hurst remained on the couch, his eyes darkening beneath a growing furrow in his brow.

Quietly, he removed his glasses and set them down on the edge of the coffee table.

A long breath escaped him, slow and tired.

Could it be that his daughter was finally craving something she had never had—a mother figure in her life?

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