Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41 A Rift Between Sisters

Claudia didn’t calm down until her brother bribed her with candy. Even then, she limped out the door crying.

Her parents were furious when they saw her in such a state.

Back then, by a twist of fate, they hadn’t meant to hurt Zoey, but the whole situation left things awkward. Once they learned Zoey had a miserable life, Lottie and her husband were overcome with guilt.

They acted quickly. Angus was forced into a divorce and thrown in jail. They also gave Zoey enough money to survive her lowest days.

When Zoey returned home, the very first thing she did was change Lydia’s last name to Lydia Wallace.

It was her way of reminding everyone–Lydia was her daughter.

Back home, in her grandmother’s care, life became easier for Lydia.

From then on, they kept in closer contact with Lottie’s household.

But Lydia had confessed to her mother that she never liked visiting Lottie’s home. She didn’t like Claudia either.

Everything seemed too perfect there, making her feel small.

Her mom just stroked her hair and told her quietly, “Whatever Claudia has, you’ll have too.”

Lydia had sensed something was wrong before Zoey’s accident.

Her mom said so many things to her during that time, as if she were saying goodbye.

Occasionally, she caught her late at night, talking to herself. “My daughter will live better than Lottie’s daughter. Everything Lottie owes me will be repaid.”

That side of her mother was so different from the gentle, kind woman she usually saw.

But Lydia never doubted one thing–her mom loved her.

Zoey had given up everything for her.

Lydia looked at Claudia, the cousin who had always seemed out of reach. “Do you think I stole

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Chapter 41 A Rift Between Sisters

your family?” she asked softly.

Finished

Then she laughed. “But it was mine to begin with. I only took back what should have been mine.”

Claudia darted her eyes. “What do

“What do you mean?”

Lydia didn’t answer. Instead, she went on, “Our mothers‘ lives couldn’t have been more different. But that’s okay. The gap between us will only keep growing.”

As she spoke, their brothers came walking up from the cemetery through the rain. “Claudia,” Lydia said, smiling through the storm, “you’re lucky. Even at the end, Grandma still favored you. Do you know her very last words?”

She grinned, rain running down her face, and whispered three chilling words, “Help me please!”

Claudia’s eyes turned red at that. She lunged forward and grabbed Lydia by the throat.

“It was you! You killed Grandma!”

Lydia struggled to breathe, but she still laughed. “Me? Kill her? No, no. At most, I just didn’t save her. Why should I? We were both her granddaughters, but she always protected you, always put you first. Why? You’re the one who killed her. If you hadn’t clung to her, if you hadn’t leaned on her for everything, she wouldn’t have died.”

Claudia’s eyes burned with rage. “She loved you too! When we first came home and your dad kept showing up to harass us, she stood up for you. Later, she gave me a little extra attention because our parents spoiled you more. That’s all!”

“So what?” Lydia’s voice was hoarse, her tears blending with the rain. “The day I changed my name, I swore–no one would ever treat you and me differently again.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She was almost choking, her tears streaming down with the rain.

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