The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 2

At that moment, Jane grabbed Hogan’s arm, her words sugarcoated but each one cutting into Rebecca like a knife. “Darling, calm down. It’s all my fault—I didn’t keep a close enough eye on her. She fell in with the wrong crowd, and now look what’s happened. She’s not even married and already getting involved with men.”

Jane was Rebecca’s adoptive mother. Ever since their biological daughter had been found, Jane had sided with Katherine and grown increasingly hostile toward Rebecca. Every hardship Katherine had endured after being switched at birth, Jane blamed squarely on Rebecca’s shoulders.

Hogan prided himself on his family’s reputation. Hearing Jane’s words only stoked his anger further. He leaned in and snarled under his breath, “Is this how we raised you? You ignore everything good and learn nothing but bad habits, making a spectacle of yourself. I’m honestly ashamed of you.”

A fleeting smirk crossed Rebecca’s lips, but she felt nothing. Calmly, she lifted her chin and said, “You can save your disappointment. After all, I’m not really your daughter—not a member of the Foster family.”

With that, Rebecca stepped past them and walked away without looking back.

“You—! You’re completely out of control!” Hogan was so furious he could barely find the words. He watched her retreating figure, his eyes filled with utter disappointment.

Rebecca had always been rebellious, and now she was grown, her defiance only stronger. No wonder she’d never felt like a true part of their family—she wasn’t really theirs by blood.

Jane sighed in Hogan’s ear. “If only we’d never taken in this girl. Our real daughter suffered so much out there, while Rebecca just runs wild with no sense of decency, dragging our family name through the mud. It’s just like they say—a rotten seed never changes, no matter how you raise her.”

Katherine slipped her arm through Hogan’s and spoke gently, “Dad, I’m sorry. I know we shouldn’t air family scandals, but this is just too serious. I already told Alan the truth. He deserves to know—he’s a good guy and shouldn’t be deceived.”

Hogan patted Katherine’s hand reassuringly, his double standards clear as day. “You did the right thing. Someone like her doesn’t deserve Alan.”

Rebecca paused, startled, and turned back for a moment. In that instant, she caught a flash of smug satisfaction in Katherine’s eyes—so quick it was almost invisible.

Suddenly, a phone rang.

Katherine glanced at the caller ID and said, “Mom, Dad, you two go ahead to the car. I need to take this.”

Her abrupt movement caught Jane’s attention. Jane had seen enough to know the signs—one glance and suspicion flashed in her eyes.

She frowned. “Honey, do you think she might be pregnant?”

The effect was instantaneous—a single stone tossed into a pond, sending ripples everywhere.

Hogan slammed his fork onto the table and, face darkening, strode toward the bathroom, with Jane and Katherine right behind him.

When Hogan pushed open the bathroom door, the scene before him made his heart sink: Rebecca was bent over the sink, retching uncontrollably.

Hogan’s voice boomed through the house. “Call the doctor—now!”