Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

LILITH

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I had imagined all sorts of scenarios. But nothing prepared me for what the man said next.

In short, he wanted compensation–for how his “beloved” niece turned out under our family’s

care.

While I was still trying to wrap my head around the sheer absurdity of the situation, Marissa spoke, her voice laced with cutting sarcasm.

“I’ve seen my fair share of shameless people,” she said, arms folded, “but your family? You set a whole new standard.”

Claire’s uncle didn’t even flinch. The obsequious smile plastered to his face remained as his gaze fixated on my mom.

“You’re a mother too, Evelyn. Surely you understand where I’m coming from.

“Six years ago, when you took her in, you made it clear you’d raise her properly. But look at her now–how is this the same girl her parents raised? If my sister could see her now, wouldn’t it break her heart?”

He gestured toward Claire with exaggerated sorrow. “She’s nothing like the girl her parents raised before their unfortunate passing. If my sister could see what she’s become now, wouldn’t it break her heart?”

Manipulative. Calculative. He knew exactly where to strike–and he did, hard.

Mom’s expression faltered, guilt crossing over her face as her shoulders hunched over.

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Her late best friend would always be her weakness

But what baffled me most wasn’t the man’s audacity. It wasn’t even Mom’s silence, despite not owing them anything

It was Claire,

She sat there in silence, her eyes fixed on the floor as if there was something more worthy of her attention there.

It made me wonder if she was in on this.

But from what I knew, her relationship with her uncle’s family wasn’t exactly warm. Still, her silence in the face of such blatant blackmail was all the confirmation I needed.

She was an ingrate–plain and simple.

Marissa must have shared my thoughts, because once again, her voice spoke the words echoing in my head.

“Taking in an ingrate like you is the worst decision anyone could ever make.”

Her gaze stayed on Claire.

“From seventeen until now, this family fed you, clothed you, paid for your education and more.”

“We gave you access to opportunities. Opportunities you’d never even sniff if you were still with this pathetic excuse of a family.”

“And now you sit there, letting your uncle insult all the efforts we put into making you who you are today?”

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At her words, Claire finally looked up.

“So what?” she said, her tone flat, and her expression anything but apologetic.

“I’m supposed to grovel at your feet for the rest of my life because you gave me a place to stay?”

I turned instinctively to Mom, watching her face crumble in disbelief. She probably never imagined that’s all she’d get in return for everything she’d done.

A dismissive sentence. As though she’d done nothing special, or noteworthy,

Tears slipped down her cheeks. Then in the next moment, her hand flew to her chest, her breathing ragged as she gasped for air.

“Evelyn—” Dad reached out to catch her in a flash, speaking gently as he rubbed her back. “Breathe. Slowly. In and out.”

Minutes passed before her breathing calmed.

She leaned weakly against him, her eyes half–lidded.

Only then did Dad looked up–cold, clear fury in his

gaze.

“No one expects you to grovel,” he said to Claire, his voice ice cold. “But we did think you might have a shred of gratitude. A trace of decency for the kindness you were shown.”

Marissa chimed in. “A dog you feed once might remember you for life. But some humans? You can feed them for a decade and still be met with teeth.”

Dad continued slowly. “When Evelyn insisted on taking you in, I was against it. I said we could help in other ways.”

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Chapter 24

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“But she wouldn’t hear of it. She said you were her best friend’s only child. Said she couldn’t peacefully sleep at night knowing you were out there alone.”

“And now I regret giving in. Because by letting you into our home, I gave you the chance to turn it upside down–to hurt my daughter, and now, my wife.”

He stopped there, lowering his gaze again as he gently comforted Mom.

The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

Then Julian spoke–calm and final.

“Since our kindness meant nothing to you, then from this moment forward, you are no longer part of this family.”

“And with that, all the privileges and benefits you’ve enjoyed as part of the Caldwells come to an end.”

Julian didn’t speak often. But when he did, it cut clean and deep.

I turned to Claire.

She looked like someone waking from a dream, her eyes went wide with panic as she jumped

to her feet.

“No! You can’t do this to me!” she cried.

Her uncle stepped forward then, the ingratiating smile finally slipping from his face.

“I… I apologize. I shouldn’t have brought that up,” he said, voice faltering with false remorse.

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