Chapter 9 Family Ties, Bitter Lies

After breakfast, Paisley was planning to swing by her place. Her cold-as-ice mom had been texting non-stop, nagging her to come back.

But Clive insisted she go to the office with him. Said he had a manager role lined up for her there.

"I've got stuff to handle this morning. I'll head over later," Paisley tossed back without even glancing his way, already gearing up to head home.

Then, right before he left, Clive just straight-up planted a kiss on her cheek. Paisley stiffened, eyeing him like he'd grown another head.

What the heck was that about? Playing both sides now?

Clive, totally unfazed by her guarded vibe, looked smitten. "Gotta get a goodbye kiss from my wife before leaving. Pretty sure today's gonna be a money-maker."

Sweet talker, huh.

Once he left, Paisley grabbed a cab and went back to her mom's. Only her mom and Olivia were home, and the second she walked in, she saw the usual scene - her mom fawning over Olivia like she was royalty.

"Olivia, drink your milk - I've reheated it three times. You have a weak stomach, you can't skip breakfast." Sophia Green was hovering like a maid, cup in hand.

Paisley didn't even bother reacting and headed into the living room. "You wanted to see me?"

Her voice was steady, but watching that scene still stung.

"Oh? Look who's back. Mrs. Harrington graces us with her presence," Olivia sneered, sauntering over with that milk like she owned the place.

Paisley didn't even blink at her. Just gave Olivia a cool once-over. She came for one thing - her grandpa's necklace. She'd left in a rush after the wedding and didn't bring it.

So she just shot Olivia a dismissive look and headed upstairs.

That set Olivia off. She shrieked, "There's no room for you upstairs anymore! Your stuff's already been dumped in the storage. Why would someone married off bother coming back anyway?"

Sure enough, Paisley checked the room - empty.

She sighed and went down to grab the necklace from the storage room. Just as she picked it up, Olivia smacked it out of her hand.

"Acting like you're hot stuff for some cheap necklace? Please. You trashy little lovechild, don't get cocky." Olivia hissed, venom dripping from every word.

Paisley turned her eyes to Sophia.

As expected, even after bending over backwards for Olivia, Sophia still couldn't earn her respect. All that bootlicking for nothing.

"What're you looking at her for? You think she's gonna back you up?" Olivia had been bullying Paisley for years and was even more brazen now.

Sophia quickly jumped in with her usual excuse. "Paisley, just let it go, okay? Don't argue with your sister, she didn't mean it. Don't make her upset."

Paisley wasn't shocked. Sophia spent years trying to become Mrs. Hughes, begging for approval, only to get kicked out by her granddad. She'd squatted in the Hughes' house ever since, nameless and unwanted.

If it hadn't been for Grandpa leaving stocks in Paisley's name before he died, chances were she wouldn't even have had a right to this house.

But that was all in the past.

Today, she was here to make one thing clear - Paisley wasn't the pushover she used to be.

So when her slap landed, loud and unapologetic, Olivia's head snapped to the side like a broken doll.

Eyes wide, lips trembling, she looked like she'd seen a ghost - one that remembered every dirty little thing she did.