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Secrets in the Open

Author: Sarah Ovvens
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-04 00:57:57

The words hung in the air like a bombshell, the shock of them rattling Xavier to his core. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his frustration building with each passing second. He wanted to scream, to grab Zane and Alana by the shoulders and shake some sense into them.

What the hell had they been thinking, blurting out the truth—no, their version of the truth—in front of Mrs. Jennifer Mason? He could feel the weight of their careless words pressing down on him, the panic rising in his chest.

But no matter how much he wanted to lash out, Xavier knew it was too late. The damage was done. His lips curled into a tight, forced smile, the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and that he hoped would mask the storm brewing inside him.

“Right,” Mrs. Jennifer Mason said, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

“Your dad? How wonderful! But I’m curious... how did you suddenly become the father of two older kids?” Her voice was sweet, but there was a sharp edge to it, as though she was
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Latest chapter

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    “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Thomas shot back, his voice dripping with disdain.“I’m better than you. At least I stuck around for my kids. I raised you and your sister, didn’t I? But you? You’ve abandoned your own kids, left them to fend for themselves like orphans.”Xavier’s hands curled into fists, his jaw tight. Calla, sensing the tension rising, quickly stepped between them.“Dad,” she said, voice firm, as she laid a hand on Thomas’s arm. “Let’s just take a step back. Not the time—”Thomas jerked his arm away, not breaking his stare at Xavier. “Yeah, it’s easy to point fingers, but it’s hard to face the truth about yourself, isn’t it?”“Dad, please…” Calla said, trying to move him.Thomas paused, staring at Xavier, and then, suddenly, his expression shifted, his posture going rigid. He took a sharp breath, as if realizing something. The shift was subtle, but chilling.“Okay, fine. I’m not here to trash talk your brother,” Thomas said, his tone now cold, calculating. He pointed at

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