Chapter 2

Barely getting any good rest for three months, I was out cold the moment I hit the bed.

At dinner time, Bernice called me downstairs to eat.

Yawning, I shuffled downstairs. Chad and Luna were snuggled up at the dining table, whispering sweet nothings, while Bernice was busy bringing out dishes.

As soon as I sat down, the two lovebirds instantly separated and buried themselves in their food.

Bernice kept putting food on my plate, worried whether I'd had a tough time while I was overseas.

I barely knew Luna and was worried that she might get uncomfortable.

Trying to be nice, I put some chicken on her plate. "Luna, make yourself at—"

Before I could finish, Luna picked up the chicken, slammed it onto the table in disgust, and snapped, "Are you seriously that clueless? You used your fork to serve me? I can't even imagine how much spit and germs are on it. What if you've got some disease?"

I froze, thinking Luna might be a total germaphobe.

Just as I was about to apologize, Bernice cut in.

She frowned and scolded Luna in a low voice, "Nevaeh was just trying to be nice. If you can't be grateful, at least don't say something so harsh."

Luna's face instantly darkened. Not wanting them to start arguing, I tried to smooth things over, saying, "It's fine. Sorry, my bad. Luna, please don't take it to heart."

After I apologized, Luna's expression softened a bit.

I turned to Bernice and said, "I need to check in at the office tomorrow. Could you please iron my black suit and drop it off in my room later?"

The room fell silent instantly.

Bernice went pale, and after a long pause, she managed a smile and said, "Nevaeh, you just got back. Why not take a few days to rest? Chad's handling the company. What's the hurry to go back? Don't you trust him?"

I wanted to explain that wasn't what I meant. After just taking over the company and spending three months abroad, I still needed to learn a lot, and I really couldn't afford to slack off.

Enjoying the steak, Chad didn't even bother to look up. In a mocking tone, he said, "Nevaeh is just a woman. What could she possibly contribute to the company? I'm always the one to keep the company running. Besides, we don't keep idlers."

Listening to Chad, anyone who didn't know better would think he was my boss.

I just pressed my lips together, not rushing to argue back.

But Bernice was quick. She whacked Chad's hand with her fork. "You brat, have some manners! You two work together. You should be looking out for each other."

Then she patted my shoulder. "Nevaeh, don't let it get to you."

Before Chad could get a word in, Luna shot up from her seat, glaring daggers at Bernice. "This is not right. Chad's your son, right?" She jabbed a finger at me. "Not only do you refuse to back him up, but you're siding with this stepdaughter? She's been sponging off the Eaton family for years, never grateful, and now she's got the nerve to come crawling back to mooch off you again?"

Luna rubbed her belly and lifted her chin, throwing shade at me. "Dealing with sisters-in-law is a nightmare. I'm not living with her. It isn't nice for my baby. Besides, she's just a stepdaughter. Just kick her out already."

*****

It was hard for me to process all this at once.

Who the hell were these two people supposed to be?

Did they even remember their last names?

I was sure both the company and the house belonged to the Hennessey family.

Why did they say I was the stepdaughter? I was the only legit heir to the Hennessey family.

Luna really had some nerve to ask me to move out.

I let out a snort and slammed my fork down on the table, about to blow up and tell her to get lost. But before I could, Bernice shot up and gave Luna a slap across the face. "Luna, shut your mouth! I love Nevaeh like my own daughter. Even though you're Chad's fiancée, I won't let you bully her."

Luna clutched her face with tears brimming in her eyes, playing the victim as if she had been wronged.

She gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and yanked Chad's arm, totally freaking out. "Chad, are you blind? They're all ganging up on me, and you don't even have the guts to say a word? Do you think you've got me under your thumb just because I'm carrying your baby? Just wait. I'll have an abortion right now, and we're done!"

With that, Luna snatched her bag and bolted out the door, crying her eyes out.

"Luna!" Seeing her running away, Chad grumbled, "Mom, why did you do that?"

Then he grabbed his coat and chased after Luna.

Before leaving, he shot me a resentful look, as if he wanted to tear me apart.