The Cherished Wife

Chapter 38

“That’s enough. You’re my dad, and she’s my sister, which means I can’t really do anything. But it doesn’t mean I have to forgive her or accept what happened.” Noelle took a sip of her tea, grimacing at the bitterness. “New tea, huh? Mom probably never even thought about giving me the good stuff. It’s always Winter this, Winter that. She never cares about how I feel. What about you, Dad?”

“Noelle…” Julian looked at her, his eyes filled with a hint of disappointment, and he shook his head, pained. “I’ve tried to get through to you, but you’re still not getting it. How has your sister been to you all these years? Remember it was your sister who saved you when you were kidnapped. How can you be ungrateful enough to compete with her for your boyfriend?”

“Dad, what are you saying?” Noelle stood up abruptly, her body trembling, her face turning ghostly pale as she stared at Julian.

She could not believe her father felt the same way about the situation, Sure, Winter had saved her back then, but the kidnappers had been after Winter, not her. All these years, her mom had held onto that, always blaming Noelle. To think that her dad would blame her too was beyond her comprehension.

Noelle’s head was spinning. “So, you’re on their side too? You think I’m the one who did Winter wrong? Come on, she’s been grabbing everything that’s mine for years. I’ve let her have it all, every single time. Shouldn’t that be enough by now? Will I always be in her debt? First, she took my toys, and now she’s after my boyfriend. What’s next?”

that Noelle could not recognize. She felt a tightness in her chest that was almost too much to handle, and she blurted out, “Isn’t it supposed to be

other way around with the Shaws? You all bend over backwards to get Winter whatever she wants. What if she decides she wants my

study door flew open with a loud snap. Jade stormed in, livid, and slapped Noelle hard across the face, “What nonsense are you spouting,

won’t take a hint until she’s punished. She won’t learn

was on the verge of tears, especially after hearing Jade’s harsh words. “A lesson? Right, that’s what you were preaching in the back

turned to Julian. “Why are you just standing there? This girl’s a total disaster, but

with a