Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 525

Chapter 525

John shook his head. “What Abby’s mother did has nothing to do with her. I don’t resent Abby for that. It’s just… I’ve grown used to the life I have now, and I don’t want to change it so easily. I’ve already achieved financial freedom. I don’t want to go back and be bound by restrictions. And…”

He looked at Sharon. “If I return, the violin will likely become just a hobby. I’d be letting down your mom’s years of guidance. Besides, with Carter and Nate pressing you so hard, I… I can’t stop worrying about you.”

Sharon had long guessed the reasons behind his inner conflict. “John, Mom nurtured your talent not only because you had potential, but because she hoped you’d acquire a skill that could lead to a better life. You know as well as I do, Mom would never want her care and support to tie you down. She only wanted you to live well.”

Shayla had sponsored John for years, treating him like her own son. And John knew this deeply.

“But if I return to the Westin family,” he said, “it won’t be so easy for us to meet again. And with Carter and the others constantly targeting you, I worry you won’t be able to handle everything on your own.”

With a single sentence, Sharon dispelled all of John’s concerns.

“John, if you return to the Westin family, wouldn’t that make dealing with Carter and Nate so much easier?”

A flicker passed through John’s eyes.

During the years when he and Sharon had drifted apart, she had either been bullied by the Kalen family or suffered under the Biggs family. He had always feared that if he left her side, there would be no one left to protect her or have her back.

But he had overlooked one thing-if he gained real power, he could help her even more.

John fell silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke again, his voice was rough with emotion.

“Sharon, I know you don’t see me in a romantic way. Otherwise, you would’ve accepted the Westin family’s offer to adopt you. If you became my dad’s foster daughter, Carter and the others wouldn’t dare lay a finger on you again.”

With shares in the Westin Group, Sharon would never have to worry about money again.

Sharon replied, “I don’t accept rewards I haven’t earned. Taking something from someone makes it harder to say no to them. If I accept the shares, I won’t have the confidence to refuse the Westin family if they ask something of me down the line. And more

importantly, I can’t agree to the adoption.

“You know my relationship with the Kalen family. If I agree to be adopted, it would be a direct slap in their face. They might retaliate against your family.

“My history with Victoria has always been a ticking time bomb for them. They don’t have the moral high ground, so they’ve kept their distance. But if I accept adoption and our ties are exposed, they could flip the narrative-accuse me of being an unfilial daughter or of betraying my roots.”

John’s expression changed slightly.

He hadn’t thought that far ahead.

In Zachemaine, filial piety had always been the highest virtue. If Sharon refused to acknowledge her biological father and instead accepted another man as her adoptive father for the sake of wealth, public opinion would destroy her.

And if someone with an agenda manipulated the media and twisted the truth, the masses who only knew how to follow trends and gossip wouldn’t bother to learn why Sharon had distanced herself from her birth father in the first place.

John gave a solemn nod. “I understand. I’ll speak with my dad.”

1/2

John needed time to think, to sort through everything in his heart.

Sharon left the garden alone.

The sudden appearance of the Kalen family had caught her off guard. And learning that Cole was Uriah’s grandson only added to her growing list of headaches.

Perhaps she had been too lost in thought, because she didn’t notice someone approaching head-on until she collided with them.

Startled, Sharon immediately came back to her senses. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” the man replied. His voice was clear and gentle.

She looked up and froze for a moment.

The man’s features were almost too perfect, as if sculpted by an artist. His brows were sharp like blades, his eyes as luminous as stars. A soft and gentle smile tugged at his lips.

2/2

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