Chapter 206
Chapter 206:
Willa’s hands balled into fists so tight her nails bit into her skin, humiliation draining the color from her face.
Unable to stomach the sight of Willa being humiliated, Brock stepped in, gently pulling her upright and glaring daggers at Gerard. “How can you do this to Willa just to take Noelle’s side, that ungrateful p>
He didn’t get to finish. Gerard’s fist flashed out, landing hard against Brock’s cheek with a crack that echoed in the room.
A look of pure menace flashed across Gerard’s features as he growled, “Didn’t I tell you? Say one more thing about Noelle and you’ll regret it p>
Staggering, Brock clutched his face, disbelief and pain freezing him where he stood. Never in his life had he expected Gerard to strike him, especially for Noelle’s sake.
Farrell, far from impressed, only let out a low, irritated whistle at Gerard’s outburst. Now he was acting like a loving brother protective of his sister? Far too late.
Fed up with the circus around her, Noelle quietly turned and walked away. Without hesitation, Gerard hurried after her. “Noelle, I’m sorry you had to listen to all that p>
Brock, rooted to the spot, could only watch as Noelle walked away alone. Unbidden, an old memory flickered through his mind.
He remembered Noelle’s very first dinner with the Moss family. In a fit of loyalty to Willa, he’d screamed about not wanting any “disgusting person” at the table to ruin his appetite. Every single Moss family member knew exactly who he meant. Not one of them had spoken up for Noelle that night. Every last one stayed silent, content to watch her endure it alone.
Each biting remark had pushed Noelle to quietly slip from her chair and excuse herself from the meal.
That awkward dinner was supposed to be her first chance to feel included by the Moss family, yet his cruelty drove her away before dessert.
уou𝗿 ոe𝘹𝘁 𝗳𝘢𝘷о𝗋𝗶𝘁𝗲 r𝗲𝘢𝘥 𝗶𝘀 𝘰n
Another time, on his birthday, the group gathered at a shooting range. Noelle’s aim outshone Willa’s, but rather than celebrate her, he showered Noelle with scorn while Willa pouted. When it was time to cut the cake, he made sure her plate remained empty, saving the last slice for someone else. By the time she looked up, nothing was left but crumbs. His voice had dripped with malice as he muttered, “Someone like you doesn’t deserve a piece of my cake.” Though she managed a gentle smile and wished him a happy birthday, those words stole the light from her eyes and made her drop her gaze in silence. While the others laughed around the table, Noelle sat motionless before her empty plate, eventually slipping away unnoticed.