Chapter 20

Sara couldn't believe her ears. She had doubted Selina's ability to cope after leaving the Harvey family. Considering Selina's twenty-one-year absence and sudden return, it seemed reasonable she'd struggle to sever ties. The Harveys hadn't anticipated this drama, especially Selina's desire for it. But appearances were deceiving. Selina wasn't merely surviving; she was thriving, even partnering with Lydia, whom Sara deeply distrusted. To add insult to injury, Selina had threatened Sara with a lawsuit.

"Selina, how did it come to this? You and Manuel are siblings—there's no changing that," Ashley said. "Do you really despise me that much? Enough to hurt Manuel?"

"If push comes to shove, I'd leave the Harvey family," Sara interjected. "Ashley, stop your ranting. You're an heiress. Where would you even go?"

"Mom, I'm Selina's flesh and blood; we're both Harveys, but we lived in different worlds," Ashley said. "Ever since Selina returned, she's been jealous, ruining her own life. She's the eldest; I'm younger. We're both your daughters, but how did we get here? It's tearing me apart!" Ashley broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Manuel glared at Selina with rage. "Ashley! Selina, you cold-hearted woman! Seeing Ashley's tears, how can you not feel guilty?!"

Selina's eyes were like ice. "This isn't some soap opera, Ashley. Cut the act."

Ashley's sobbing intensified. "No, Selina, I didn't mean—"

"Forget it! The Harveys are like a trashy reality show," Lydia chimed in, rolling her eyes. "I'm gagging from the fake vibes. Good for you, Selina, for ditching this circus."

Lydia considered herself a keen judge of character, but Ashley's performance was unparalleled—the queen of drama queens. Her tears seemed ingrained in her DNA. Sara and Manuel, however, lapped it up like prime-time entertainment. Lydia wondered how their family business survived with such inept leadership.

Selina remained silent; her expression spoke volumes. In the past, the Harvey family had exploited Selina's longing for family love, repeatedly knocking her down. Now, she wouldn't waste another tear on them. They weren't worth it.

"Officer, we're not sending this privately. My lawyer will handle things from here," Selina stated firmly. "Let's go, Lydia."

Making gagging noises and waving her hand, Lydia groaned. "Should've brought air freshener for this thick layer of fakery. It's giving me nightmares."

As Selina walked away, Sara shouted, "Selina, are you really doing this? Going against your family, sending your own brother to jail?" Selina didn't flinch. "You started this mess, and another thing: you guys are not my family. We're done. My only real family, my sister, is right here with me." Hand in hand with Lydia, Selina left without looking back.

Suddenly, Ashley bolted toward Selina, reaching out to grab her. But Selina was quicker, spinning and delivering a sharp slap. The slap silenced the room. The police station fell hushed. Ashley's cheek burned; her eyes widened in shock. She had planned to portray herself as a concerned sister, preventing Selina from making a mistake—to paint Selina as the black sheep and prevent her return to the Harvey family. But she hadn't anticipated the slap. She was just about to speak when—

"Oh my, totally reacted on instinct," Selina said coolly, reframing the incident as a misunderstanding. "Felt someone coming at me, and I thought, better safe than sorry." It was all because Ashley had charged at her. "Ashley!" Sara intervened, but before she could scold Selina, a newcomer appeared at the door.

"Babe, sorry I'm late." A deep, smooth voice calmed the storm. All eyes turned to Trevon, his chiseled features bathed in sunlight. He approached Selina, slipping an arm around her shoulders with tenderness. Everyone reacted differently.

Lydia couldn't take her eyes off Trevon's arm around Selina. Remember your marriage is for show! Act like it, will you? Keep this up, and I might have to teach you a lesson, she thought.

Ashley, nursing her cheek, feigned tears in Sara's arms. But Trevon's arrival disrupted her plan. Her tears continued, but her expression was one of pure shock. Selina glanced up. "Honey, why are you here?"

"I heard someone was giving my wife a hard time. I'm her husband; I gotta be here," Trevon said, showcasing their closeness, then shooting a fierce look at Manuel and the others. "Can't the Harvey family take a hint? Selina obviously wants nothing to do with you. So why are you still all up in her business?"