Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 37

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Lydia gave a small nod. “Alright, Mom, Dad, I’m heading upstairs.”

She still had sketches to finish and deadlines to meet. Honestly, she was just too busy for anything that even resembled romance.

Mr. Norwood watched her leave, not even bothering to say goodbye, and immediately stomped his foot. “Did you see that? Am I even her grandfather in her eyes anymore?”

Cameron let out a helpless sigh. “Dad, you act like you care about her, but you barely do. She literally saved your life and hurt her hand, and you haven’t even asked if she’s alright.”

Mr. Norwood’s eyes flared. “Now that your real daughter’s home, I don’t matter?”

Cameron kept his voice steady. “Dad, come on. Lydia’s back, sure, but that doesn’t change how we feel about you. Or about Lucinda.”

Kylie chimed in, gentle but firm. “Exactly, Dad. Lucinda may not be our biological daughter, but we’ve loved her like our own for eighteen years. When she’s a bit older, we’ll find her a wonderful match and give her a beautiful wedding.”

During the Jefferson family’s visit earlier, Kylie had noticed just how down Lucinda was feeling. Still, the engagement had always been meant for Lydia, set when Kylie was pregnant with her. Now that Lydia had returned, everything was just going back to how it should be. The Jeffersons seemed to think so too.

Lucinda’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she said to Kylie and Cameron. “Dad, Mom, you don’t have to explain. I know you still care about me just like before. Knowing you still want me as your daughter is all I could ever ask for.”

Mr. Norwood let out a long sigh. “Lucinda, you’re always the considerate one. Come on, help me back to my room.”

Lucinda nodded sweetly. “Of course, Grandpa. Careful now.”

As Lucinda helped Mr. Norwood away, Kylie’s heart felt heavy. “Cameron, Lucinda really is a good kid. I thought she’d throw a fit when we switched the engagement to Lydia.”