The Ex-con Queen Strikes Back novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“Oh, I’m just worried she’s up to something,” Jade said, ryeing Freya’s reaction, her voice low and nudging.

Then she added, “She’s trying to steal your place as the Lambert heiress. You’ve got to show this nobody who’s boss.”

Freya’s blood heated at the idea of Skylar swooping in to take everything she’d worked for Gripping her lunchbox, she marched toward the ward, her heels clicking with purpose.

Jade followed close, leading her to the room, a susig grin creeping onto her face

Inside, Skylar stood quietly with the Lambert.

She didn’t know what to say to them. Every time she tried to leave, Yana’s teary eyes held her in place.

She’d swem off family, but here she was, stuck.

“Pathetic, she thought, scolding herself. “Burned by family time and again, and still, a few words from them, and I can’t move.

She’d given up on the idea of family, yet she was hesitating-

“Skylar, I know it’s tough to take in,” Yana said softly, her voice shaky. “I won’t push you, but… can I at least see you sometimes? Even from afar?”

Skylar’s instinct was to shut it down, to cut the tie before it pulled her in deeper. “Mrs. Lambert, you’re messing up my life. If you really feel bad, just leave

me alone.”

Yana’s face fell, her heart breaking at her daughter’s words. “Skylar…” she whispered, her voice cracking.

Skylar ignored her, reaching for the door to get out of the heavy room.

She pulled it open and came face–to–face with Freya, who’d been standing right outside.

Freya’s eyes narrowed, her sharp gaze sliding over Skylar before moving past her.

“Dad, Mom,” she called, her voice bright but with a bite.

“Dad, you’re still sick–back to bed!” she scolded as she hurried to Carlos’s side.

Then she eased him down, tucking the blanket around him.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small container. “I grabbed you a pudding from downstairs. I knew you’d

ou’d love it.”

Carlos glanced at Skylar, his face uneasy. “Thanks, but I’m not hungry right now,” he said, gently pushing the pudding aside.

Freya set it down, her smile tightening. She tilted her head, playing dumb. “Dad, who’s this?”

Carlos paused, caught between his biological daughter and the girl he’d raised for over twenty years.

One wrong word could hurt either of them.

Yana, though; was more direct. She believed Skylar, their true daughter, would eventually come back to the Lamberts.

Freya, though adopted, had been their daughter for years–they wouldn’t push her out just because they’d found Skylar

She wanted them to get along.

Taking Freya’s hand, Yana said, “This is Skylar, our biological daughter we lost over twenty years ago

Chapter 7

She turned to Skylar, her voice warm. “Skylar, this is Freys, our adopted daughter.“

Freya’s fingers twitched, gripping her skirt. “Mom, you’re too trusting. She could be after

r your money or status, spinning a sad story to worm her way in

She shrugged, her smile thin. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s tried it.”

The Lamberts had always known Freya wasn’t their biological child and had spent years, and millions, searching for their lost daughter.

Plenty of people had tried to cash in, pretending to be the missing heiress

Yana wiped her eyes, her voice firm. “Freya, she really is, had a DNA test done.”

She handed Freya the results, her hands steady.

Freya glanced at the report, her smile slipping for a moment before snapping back. “Well, that’s great.”

Skylar caught the tension in Freya’s grin and gave a cold smirk in return. It seemed this Lambert adoptee was no pushover.

Freya stepped toward Skylar, offering a hand. “Skylar, hi. I’m Freya Lambert. Your big sister.”

Skylar’s smile sharpened, unyielding.

“Ms. Lambert,” she replied coolly, ignoring Freya’s hand.

Freya’s face darkened, but with her parents watching, she swallowed her anger, her jaw light.

“I’ve got things to do,” Skylar said, uninterested in their family mess. “You all catch up.” She turned and walked out, leaving the room behind.

Yana watched Skylar disappear, her eyes red and teary.

She sank onto the edge of the bed, her voice heavy. “Carlos, what do we have to do to bring her back?” she asked, her sigh full of longing.

Carlos let out a tired sigh, his voice soft but firm, “You’ve seen how she feels, Yana. We’ve got to give her more time.”

Yana rubbed her temples, frustration carved into her face. “More time? I’ve waited years. How much longer do I have to wait?”

She pressed a hand to her wet eyes, her voice cracking. “I just want to bring Skylar home now.”

Freya stood quietly, her stomach churning as she heard them gush over Skylar

“She’s not even back, and they’re already obsessed with her, she thought bitterly. “All that talk about treating us the same? Total lies!

Unable to take it, she muttered something about needing air and slipped out of the room.

Skylar, meanwhile, had just checked on Louis and stepped out of his room.

“Skylar,” Freya called, her voice sharp.

Skylar looked up, her face neutral “Something you need?”

Freya crossed her arms, her chin high, her eyes flashing with contempt.

She gave Skylar a slow, judging look. “Look, Skylar, you might be their real kid, but I’m the one they raised from the cradle. You’ll never stack up.”

She leaned in, her tone poisonous. “So drop whatever plans you’re hatching and play nice–or I’ll make you sorry.”

Skylar’s lips curled into an amused smile. “Well, that’s adorable.

Freya’s smug grin faltered. “What?”

12:44 Wed, 18 Jun

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