Chapter 16
Chapter 16 A Rift in the Family
Chapter 16 A Rift in the Family
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By the time Zacharias got the call and rushed to the hospital, Melody and Lenora had already been stitched up and given rabies shots.
The moment the mother and daughter saw him walk in, they collapsed into each other’s arms, crying. “Zacharias, look what your wife did! She’s completely out of control!
“I worked my fingers to the bone raising you and your sister. I never asked for much in return, not even for you all to be grateful, but a little respect wouldn’t kill you! I’m heartbroken. I can’t stay here anymore–I’m going back home p>
Lenora clung to Melody, her tears spilling over in seconds. Her cheeks were swollen, and there was a deep bite mark on her leg. The doctor said it would scar, and she truly felt aggrieved.
“Zach, Anneliese knows Mom’s allergic to dog hair, but she still brought that dog home. I tried to talk to her about it, and she set the dog on me and Mom. She even cursed Mom, saying she should just die! Zach, you have to do something about this. If you don’t, Mom and I are heading back to Baytree p>
Watching his mother and sister sobbing together, Zacharias‘ face darkened, the veins in his temple throbbing. “Where is she?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Sensing his anger, Lenora immediately jumped in. “She disappeared. She set the dog on us and then just left p>
“Mom, I’ll handle this. You and Lenora just rest,” Zacharias assured, left Jackie to look after them, and then strode out with a cold, implacable expression.
Lenora, seeing this, hurried after him and grabbed his arm, still crying. “Zacharias, divorce Anneliese. I like Selina, and you like her too, don’t you? If Selina hadn’t sponsored you through school and sent Mom money for her medical bills, how would we even have what we have today?
“She’s kind and elegant, pure and refined–and she’s studying abroad! She’s the real rich beauty, and only she deserves to be my sister–in–law. Anneliese is nowhere near good enough for you. Zacharias, you should p>
Thinking of how Selina still sent her gifts from abroad and even promised to set her up with her crush when she returned, Lenora grew more and more animated.
She believed Zacharias felt the same way. She knew Selina was the love that her brother could never have, and he only married Anneliese to protect Selina. And now that Anneliese had crossed the line like this, her brother had to hate her even more. He must be dying to get rid
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Chapter 16 A Rift in the Family
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of her.
But to her shock, Zacharias‘ expression grew even colder, and he cut her off sharply. “Enough! Whatever is between me and Anneliese is none of your business. And let me be clear: there will be no other sister–in–law besides Anneliese. Show some respect p>
Lenora, still afraid of her brother, paled under his fierce gaze, her tears rolling down her face again. She ran back to the hospital room to cry to Melody. “Mom, call Selina on video right now! We need her to come back. Otherwise, Zacharias will really lose his way p>
Zacharias finally found Anneliese at the veterinary clinic, tending to Meatloaf’s head wound. He stormed in with two men in black, his fury so intense it startled the vet.
“Anneliese! Come with me and apologize to Mom and Lenora right now!” Zacharias grabbed her arm and yanked her from the chair.
Anneliese’s vision went dark for a second as she steadied herself. She looked at him coldly. “Let go! What the hell is wrong with you p>
Only then did Zacharias see her face clearly–half of it was swollen, her temple scraped and crusted with blood. Her skin was so pale that every bruise looked stark against it, and the slap mark and cuts were painfully visible.
Mom and Lenora hadn’t said a word about Anneliese being hurt …
Instinctively, Zacharias loosened his grip, his brow furrowing.
Anneliese seized the chance to pull free, stepping back. “Zacharias, you didn’t even ask what your mom and Lenora did, and you want me to apologize? What if I don’t p>
She stood under the harsh white light, her face like frost, her silhouette lone and unyielding. Her gaze on him was devoid of any warmth, like she was looking at a stranger.
No… like he was the enemy.
In that moment, Zacharias felt his breath catch, his chest tightening with sudden panic. He instinctively reached for her hand. “It’s not like that, I p>
But before he could touch her, Anneliese flinched, swiping his hand away. Her nails grazed his cheek, leaving a faint sting.
Humiliated in front of so many people, Zacharias‘ face hardened again. “My mom’s allergic to dog hair, and you brought that dog home anyway. That was wrong enough.
“On top of that, she’s your mother–in–law, and my sister is still a kid. No matter what
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Chapter 16 A Rift in the Family
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happened, you shouldn’t have laid a hand on them–let alone sic the dog on them! You’re coming with me to