Under the Veil I Rule

Hearing the sarcasm in her voice, Elowen's eyes widened. "You knew all along? When did you figure it out?"

"Anyone with half a brain could see it coming, Elowen. Not everyone is as clueless as you."

Larry was such a conservative man, holding onto outdated values. The thought of divorce was beyond him, so how could he possibly accept raising another man's daughter for thirty years, especially putting her above his own flesh and blood?noveldrama

It had to be that Elowen was his biological child, possibly his firstborn, which explained why he valued her so much.

Amara's fingers pinched Elowen's chin, applying just enough pressure.

Elowen, normally a bit sturdier and stronger than Amara, was now weakened. After days of fighting with her family, she hadn't eaten much, leaving her powerless against Amara.

"Blood relation or not, what does it matter now? The Sullivan family has come to this point, and some things are just unavoidable."

Amara's gaze hardened.

After over twenty years of timidity, she was finally rediscovering herself and was determined to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

She released Elowen, stepping back. "Father didn't confine you to the house to punish you. He just wanted you out of the public eye to avoid gossip. It's laughable that you think he did it out of spite, fighting with the family for days on end. You're so ungrateful."

Elowen wouldn't understand the meaning behind Amara's words. She'd only grow more resentful. Amara spoke freely, knowing this.

She came to see Elowen's misery, and having seen enough, she turned to leave.

Larry stood in the hallway, his presence like a towering mountain. His face, usually so formidable, seemed a bit gaunt.

As Amara approached, Larry spoke

to her in a low voice for the first time. "Ama, your sister was wrong. I've confined her, so you don't have to worry about being wronged by her anymore."

Wronged? Almost being burned alive was just being "wronged"? Amara's heart filled with a bitter laugh.

She looked up at him, catching a fleeting glimpse of guilt in Larry's eyes. Yet he was too stubborn to offer even a basic apology.

If it had been before, Amara would have been disappointed. But now having no expectations of Larry

meant there was no room for

disappointment.

"I understand your intentions, Father, but these recent incidents have been tough.

I... never mind, Dad. I'm leaving."

Amara feigned a look of hurt but resilient, turning on her heel to go.

Larry watched her leave, his brow furrowed with unresolved tension.

"Hold it right there!" Fiona intercepted her as she stepped out of the house.

Fiona, too, had lost weight. Once a well-kept woman, she now looked her age, her eyes sharp and intimidating.

"Did you go in there to threaten Elowen? Let me tell you, if you lay a finger on her, I'll make you pay!"

After over twenty years of pretending to be the gentle and caring wife, Fiona dropped the act.

Amara replied softly, "We'll see who comes out on top. I'd like to see you try."

She felt grateful to herself now.

Thankfully the woman she had become after the divorce was

strong. The old her would have net

crumbled at Fiona's words, reduced to tears.