Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate
Chapter 618: Crocodile Tears
Hayley’s POV:
After Alan finished speaking, silence descended upon the room. Just as I was about to respond, he continued, “Michelle is my daughter, the next rightful heir to the Sanders’ leadership. She cannot be married off so casually!”
Benjamin and I exchanged a look of surprise. Neither of us had expected such a strong reaction from Alan. I didn’t know Alan well, but this sudden, arbitrary control sparked a deep resistance within me.
“This is my life; I can make my own decisions.” My voice was firm, my gaze unyielding. The deep-seated resentment I had kept buried started to surface. The sense of abandonment I felt when reuniting with Virginia, the loss, and the grudge against being forgotten were triggered by Alan’s authoritarian tone.
I wasn’t about to let my emotions get the better of me, but neither would I be a compliant puppet. Ever since I took over as the Alpha of the Shadow Pack, almost no one had dared to challenge my decisions.
“You’re too young to understand the world’s vastness fully. How can you make such decisions?” Alan said, casting a dubious glance at Benjamin. “Judging a man isn’t as simple as listening to sweet talk!”
“Aren’t you a man?” I retorted sarcastically.
“I am different,” Alan said, frowning, displeased. “I am your father, the only man in this world who won’t hurt you!”
“That’s not necessarily true,” I sneered. “If you wouldn’t hurt me, then how did I end up alone and abandoned? Luckily, the Carsons found and adopted me. Do you think those rogues out there would have let me survive if they hadn’t?”
“That… that was an accident, Michelle.”
His once-confident demeanor crumbled as my words hit him. He seemed to age visibly. His strength drained away.
“Forgive me, Michelle. It’s my fault you suffered…” He looked at me, guilt-ridden, apologizing. Before I could respond, his eyes reddened, on the verge of tears, his expression pleading for forgiveness.
I didn’t know what to say, feeling awkward in the silence. Benjamin, sensing my discomfort, quickly interjected, “Let’s put the past behind us for now. Mr. Sander, what are your plans for Ms. Freya?”
Alan sniffed discreetly, regaining his composure and authoritative air. Just as he was about to speak, Freya burst into the room with a sycophantic grin.
“Hayley!” She rushed to my bedside, feigning concern. “Are you feeling better? Thanks to you, Dad has woken up. Peter is also awake now, so you should rest and not worry.”
I watched her fake display in silence, unmoved. Hera stirred angrily within me, wanting to lash out at her. I calmed Hera, assuring her that this woman wouldn’t be a nuisance for long. Whether or not I became the heir of the Sanders, I would ensure this “trash” was taken out.
“Hayley will be fine without your concern,” Virginia snapped at Freya.
“Mother, why do you always speak to me in that tone?”
“I’ve explained before, those things were due to misunderstandings. I did some things out of necessity to protect this family.”
“Hayley just returned, and yet you’re eager to push me out of this house?” Freya’s voice trembled as she wiped away crocodile tears.
“Hmph, you’re just an adopted daughter…”
“Enough!” Alan cut Virginia off sharply before she could finish.