Chapter 3
Nelson’s expression remained grim, though the air around him had
become less oppressive. He patted Patricia’s shoulder a few times
reassuringly before turning to Paulette and saying in a deep voice, “Come with me to the study.”
Paulette bit her lip and followed him in silence.
Behind them, Patricia said with worry, “Nelson, I know you’re Paula’s stepdad, but you don’t have to always be so strict with her. Be nice.”
Paulette sneered deep down, thinking, “If I didn’t know better, I would have thought she was his wife already.”
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
Since she was walking with her head down, she didn’t notice that Nelson. had stopped. In the next second, she slammed into his broad, solid back,
and her nose ached.
“What the heck are you thinking?”
As Nelson’s deep voice reached her ears, she looked up, only to meet his icy gaze.
Somehow, she blurted out, “You don’t know?”
Maybe she said this because a small part of her still refused to give up.
Or maybe she wanted to see his reaction after he heard this.
Nelson furrowed his brows more tightly as he stared at her for a while. Then he said, “Paulette, I’ve made it very clear to you already. Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. Since you’re about to graduate, I’ll find you someone suitable, but that someone won’t be me.
4.00%
1627
Chapter 3
“I’m your stepfather, and Patricia is going to be your stepmother. You must respect her the way you respect me. Do you understand?”
Paulette had never heard that before.
She thought, “Rejecting me clearly wasn’t enough for him. Now he’s setting me up.
“Jeremiah’s right. We’re both gonna be forced to get married.
“What exactly am I still hoping for?
“I’ve made up my mind, haven’t I?”
Taking a deep breath, she suddenly felt that giving up on someone wasn’t as hard as she had thought.
She nodded obediently. “Yes, Dad.”
Nelson paused slightly.
He arched an eyebrow, surprised by her reaction.
In the past, she had only called him “Dad” when she messed up and wanted forgiveness. For conversations like this, she’d only talk back.
Figuring she had realized her mistake, he said, his expression softening at bit, “Tricia is so nice to you, fixing breakfast for you and all. Don’t be so hostile toward her, alright?”
Paulette thought, “Even if she hadn’t, you would have fixed it for me anyway.
“Besides, I never asked her to do that in the first place.”
But she didn’t argue. She just nodded and said, “I see. I’ll try to get along with her.”
Chapter 3
Nelson felt something was off as he saw her like this. He gazed at her face, his eyes deep, and after a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Why didn’t you come last night?”
Yesterday was his twenty–eighth birthday.
Paulette did come.
It was just that no one cared.
She said softly, “I stayed at school for a late meeting. Then I came straight home because I was so tired. Dad, happy birthday.”
She just wanted to deal with everything and then leave him as soon as possible. So, she didn’t think explaining was necessary.
Nelson nodded. After hesitating for a while, he still reached out and stroked her head. “If anything happens, tell me. Don’t keep it all inside. OK? Now let’s go downstairs for breakfast.”
Paulette never expected that one day, she’d have breakfast prepared by her “rival in love” with the man she loved.
She wanted to find some excuse to leave at first. Yet, on second thought, now that she had decided to leave Nelson, she ought to accept such at reality.
She wouldn’t have to endure it much longer anyway.
After breakfast, Nelson went upstairs to change.
Paulette was about to go back to her room, too. She had to go to school. today to talk to her professor about her internship in Crireton.
“Paulette.” Just then, Patricia’s voice rang out behind her.
16 27
