Chapter 8 Let's Not Make Things Awkward Between Family

Holley's eyes swept over Marissa's flawless features, and jealousy twisted in her chest. That calm and beautiful face made her feel small in comparison. "Rita, don't be so harsh with Marissa. She's our family," she said sweetly, throwing Marissa a quick, teasing wink.

Rita's expression hardened instantly. "I refuse to accept someone who behaves so rudely as family," she snapped, clutching Holley's hand protectively. "Holley is the one I care about! Mark my words-everything in this family belongs to her as well. If you dare try to take it all for yourself, I'll see you kicked out of the Curtis family before you can blink!"

Holley tilted her chin proudly, flashing Marissa a smug grin. With Rita's backing, everything that mattered would eventually belong to her anyway. Marissa was powerless to prevent it.

Just then, a rough voice cut in from nearby. "If Holley wasn't too weak to have children, do you really think the Brooks family would've chosen you, Marissa?"

The words came from Barry Curtis, Holley's older brother.

He continued, "They only agreed to your marriage to Theodore because they needed someone to carry on their bloodline. You should be thanking Holley! If she hadn't insisted they bring you back, you'd still be living who-knows-where!"

Marissa was lost in thought. So that was it? Theodore had married her because Holley couldn't bear children.

And the Curtis family hadn't brought her home out of love or guilt, but because they needed her for the same purpose.

The absurdity almost made Marissa laugh.

In that moment, everything clicked. She finally saw through Rita's real intentions. Her expression stayed composed, almost amused, as if she were watching a group of clowns perform. Then, hearing quick footsteps approaching from behind, she finally broke her silence. "So, if I'm understanding this correctly... everything I have now isn't because I'm a Curtis, but because Holley was kind enough to grant me her leftovers?"

Holley's lips curled into a condescending smile, but the moment she saw Marc at the doorway, her expression softened instantly. Pulling away from Rita, she fluttered her lashes and said sweetly, "Marissa, you've got it wrong. I didn't mean-"

"Rissa?" Marc's voice cut through the tension as he appeared unexpectedly.

The study upstairs was soundproof-if his assistant hadn't called him about a sudden work matter, he would've never realized Rita, Holley, and Barry had shown up uninvited.

"Marc," Marissa greeted softly, turning just enough to meet his eyes.

"Marc, perfect timing!" Rita exclaimed, relief flashing in her eyes. She'd been struggling to rein Marissa in, and Marc's arrival felt like the perfect chance to tip the scales. She stepped forward, her voice rising as she jabbed a finger in Marissa's direction.

Marissa's eyes flicked toward the staircase. None of her other brothers had come down, nor had Corrine. It was just Marc.

Holley, sensing the tension, decided to play innocent. She stepped away from Rita and hurried toward Marissa, grabbing her arm with exaggerated affection.

"Marissa, don't be upset. Rita's just straightforward; she doesn't mean any harm," she said in a sugary tone that didn't match the malice hiding in her eyes. "You can talk, so why didn't you say something sooner? Or could it be that you just don't want to acknowledge her? Anyway, let's not make things awkward between family, okay?"