Page 128 of Ruthless God

“You don’t get to make that call! I do.”

Tension crackles in the air, heavy, pressing against my skin. But before either of them can say another word, a voice cuts through the tension.

“Are you serious right now, Dad?”

It’s one of my sisters. She steps forward, her arms crossed, her expression sharp with disbelief.

Her eyes, that are so much like mine, burn into Blanc.

“You’re mad that she’s here? You should be mad that we’re only meeting her now.”

The other woman—the younger one—nods slowly, her brows furrowed, her lips slightly parted like she’s still processing this.

“You knew about her all this time.” Her voice is softer than her sister’s, but just as cutting.

How do they know this?

Blanc’s jaw clenches. “This isn’t the time.”

“Oh, it’s exactly the time,” the first sister snaps. “You’ve controlled everything our whole damn lives. And now, what? We’re just supposed to act like this is fine? Like she doesn’t exist?”

Her gaze shifts to me. For a moment, she just stares, studying me. Then her arms uncross, and she takes another step forward.

“I’m Alyssa.” A pause. “And this is Bonnie.”

Bonnie offers a small, hesitant nod. “Hi.”

I stare at them, my throat suddenly tight. I was expecting anger. Rejection. Hostility. Not… this. Not them calling out our father before I even had to.

I blink, trying to find my voice.

“Cecely.”

Alyssa smirks faintly. “Yeah, we know.”

Bonnie’s eyes flick to my hand that’s still tangled in Claudius’. A small furrow forms between her brows, but shedoesn’t ask. Not yet. Instead, she takes a breath and says something that shatters the moment completely.

“I always wanted another sister.”

Blanc groans, raking a hand down his face. Claudius? He just smirks. And me? I don’t know what the hell to feel.

“Girls, explain to me this instant how you knew about…this.” Their mother waves a manicured hand in my direction like I’m a problem that needs fixing.

Like I’m an inconvenience. Like I’m not a person standing right in front of her. My face burns and my fingers twitch in Claudius’ grip, but I don’t move. I won’t let her see that it gets to me.

Alyssa, however, isn’t having it.

“This?” Her voice is sharp, dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, Mom. Way to make her feel welcome.”

Bonnie shifts uncomfortably beside her, her gaze flicking to me, apologetic. But their mother? She barely acknowledges it.

Instead, her eyes narrow, her posture tightening, her perfectly styled hair still impeccable despite the tension in the room.

“That doesn’t answer my question, Alyssa.”

Alyssa huffs, shaking her head. “Neither of you are as good at keeping secrets as you think you are.”

Blanc’s jaw locks. “Alyssa?—”

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