Chapter 14: No Longer a Goodridge

After a moment of silence, Harriet said, "Even though the Lorimer family doesn't blame Samuel, we still owe them an explanation. Ms. Layla stated that, since the matter originated with Kay-Ray, Raylee should apologize personally."

"Fantastic!" Alaric exclaimed, his joy evident. Before waiting for Raylee's response, he commanded, "Raylee, you need to go to the Lorimer Estate and apologize immediately. Your attitude must be sincere."

Raylee's gaze lifted, simmering rage flickering in her eyes. "I'm not going. I'm not a member of the Goodridge family."

"If you're not a Goodridge, whose family do you belong to? You caused this mess, so you must go!" Alaric snapped, his irritation clear.

Raylee looked at him impassively. "Mr. Alaric, four years ago, days after my imprisonment, you personally presented me with a disownment document. After signing it, I changed my surname to Somers, after my biological father. I'm here to clarify: I am Raylee Somers, not Goodridge. I won't involve myself in your family matters."

Samuel was stunned. "Dad, is this true? Did you disown Raylee four years ago? Why?"

He hadn't treated Raylee well, even telling the Lorimers he disavowed her. It was mere lip service; unexpectedly, his father had acted on it.

Alaric's expression was grave. He opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, then remained silent. The matter was true.

"Samuel, don't blame your father," Harriet pleaded, tears welling. "He had no choice, it was for the family."

A lump formed in Samuel's throat. "Mom, you knew? Did you think hurting Raylee was acceptable for the family's sake? She's my sister! Even if not by blood, we lived together for eighteen years! Eighteen years! She suffered unjustly in prison—why treat her this way?"

No wonder Raylee despised him after her release. It stemmed from four years ago.

Alaric's gaze deepened. "Severing our parent-child relationship was a pretense for the Lorimers. Now that Raylee's returned, she can reinstate her household registration anytime. However, I have a condition: you must apologize to the Lorimer family today. If they don't pursue Samuel's matter, you can return as the Goodridge family's eldest daughter."

"No need. My ties with the Goodridge family are severed," Raylee stated, rejecting his offer.

Harriet frowned. "Raylee, what nonsense? Your ties ended? Are you going back to your biological family? Your birth father is a gambling addict. Going back will only burden you."

Alaric said with displeasure, "A wise person adapts. Think clearly. Not everyone can be the Goodridge's eldest daughter. If I hadn't raised you for eighteen years, how would this fortune have fallen into your lap?"

Raylee rejected him outright. "Whoever wants this so-called fortune can have it. I don't."

Samuel gazed at Raylee, his face filled with affection and sadness. "I don't need Raylee to apologize. I just need her to reinstate her household registration. I'll handle the Lorimers myself."

"You'll handle it yourself? By confronting the Lorimers?" Alaric said, irritated. "Stay home. Dare to go to the Lorimer Estate, and I'll deal with you!"

Alaric's protectiveness was evident.

"Samuel can't go, and neither can Raylee. I'll go!" Waverly choked out, tears streaming. "Dad, Raylee endured four years of imprisonment. We can't let her suffer more. I'll go to the Lorimers."

Tears clung to her eyelashes as her body shuddered. Her sorrow suggested the greatest injustice.

"No, Waverly can't go. The Lorimers might mistreat her!" Harriet protested.

"Your mother's right," Alaric agreed. "You'd only suffer."

Raylee's eyelashes quivered. A bitter chill filled her heart. They worried about Waverly being mistreated, but not her? Was it because she wasn't their biological child? The contrast was potent and ironic.

"I owe it to Raylee. It's time I endured hardship for her!" Waverly insisted.

"No, Raylee can't go, and Waverly even less so! Enough! I created this mess, I'll clean it up!" Samuel insisted.

Desperate, Waverly knelt, crying. "Samuel, don't go! You're the Goodridge's only son, I'm a nobody. Returning to you all is a blessing. Let me go."

Raylee watched their bond with a cool gaze, amusement bubbling within her. Go on, then. Let you all meet your doom.

Samuel caught her cold expression. Compared to Waverly, kneeling and pleading, the difference was stark. Why was Waverly so devoted? She was unafraid, insisting on going to the Lorimers for him. Her understanding evoked his tender affection.

And yet, Raylee remained indifferent. He'd created this mess to avenge her! Waverly's heartbreak made him dislike Raylee even more.

He reprimanded her, "Raylee, can't you talk some sense into Waverly? She's crying, hoping we'll let her go. Where's your conscience?"

"Conscience?" Raylee retorted. "You're talking to me about conscience? What was the point of my four years in jail? Would my hardships be for naught? Mr. Goodridge, I've faced death and returned. Your moral blackmail won't work! Deal with your own mess, and don't use my name to cover your guilt!"

Samuel was speechless. Then, almost snarling, he said, "I regret seeking revenge for you. I regret feeling pain for your hardships! If I ever feel compassion for you again, I'll consider myself a fool!"

"Revenge?" Raylee scoffed. "Mr. Goodridge, this isn't vengeance. Reprisal targets the perpetrator. If you can't identify who to seek vengeance against, how will you avenge me?"

Her gaze shifted to Waverly. "Don't you know who's responsible for my imprisonment?"