“Zach Olsen!” A sharp female voice sliced through the air, halting Zach’s words mid- sentence. He paused, his eyes shifting from Josie to Claudia. Dressed in her nightgown, Claudia stood at the entrance of the elevator, her expression impassive but her tone filled with anger.

Zach’s lips formed a pout. “Mother, I didn’t say anything inappropriate.”

Claudia approached him directly, her voice stern. “Apologize.”

“What are you-” Zach began, but Claudia interrupted firmly.

“I insist that you apologize to your sister!”

The term “sister” hit Josie and Zach like a bolt from the blue, leaving them both momentarily stunned.

Zach fixed his gaze on Josie, his disbelief evident. “Her? My sister? Mother, I could never bring myself to call her that in this lifetime.”

He had barely finished his sentence when Claudia’s hand connected with his cheek in a resounding slap. Zach recoiled, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. “You hit me for her sake. It appears you’re determined to acknowledge this girl as your daughter. But what about me? Am I not your son?”

Josie was caught off guard by Claudia’s determination, her brow furrowing in response.

be

considered

chest heaving. “We’ve pampered and spoiled you since young. That’s why you turned out like

suffocated by its weight. However, Claudia was adamant. Responding with biting sarcasm, he quipped, “I apologize

the last name with deliberate

only served to exacerbate Josie’s

his morning run, his brow

to Zach’s presence, Mark approached Josie cheerfully. “You’re up early, Leanne. What can

setting it down gently. “I’m not

salad then. You should have something to eat to

was clearly bending over backward to please

slight twitch pulled at the corner of Zach’s mouth as he observed the exchange. Unable to contain himself any

to Zach, offering

increasingly frustrated, Zach raised his

with intimidation. “What’s with this ruckus early in the

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