The Gift from My Brothers for My Birthday Was My Mother’s Broken Bangle Chapter 08

The Gift from My Brothers for My Birthday Was My Mother’s Broken Bangle Chapter 08

“This is a private family dispute,” Ames insisted.

Dashiell stepped forward, jaw clenched.

“Romy, I’m begging you.”

He lowered his head, his voice raw.

“Malcolm died saving us. For his sake, drop the charges.”

“Name whatever compensation you want. I’ll give it to you.”

I looked at the three of them and felt something colder than anger.

These were my own brothers.

For a debt they had never bothered to verify, they were willing to abandon every principle they claimed to have.

“Have all three of you completely lost your minds?”

I pulled a thick file from my purse and threw it into Dashiell’s chest.

“Open your eyes and find out who she really is.”

The documents scattered across the floor.

A certified DNA report landed on top.

Tiernan picked it up with shaking hands. His gaze dropped to the final line.

NO BIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP CONFIRMED

“That’s impossible,” he whispered.

Blaise gave a humorless laugh.

“Malcolm Wren’s daughter died in an accident years ago.”

He looked down at Pippa.

“This woman’s real name is Della Pike. She’s a wanted career con artist.”

“She had extensive cosmetic surgery, memorized every detail your investigators released, and partnered with dissident Rivington shareholders planning a proxy coup.”

His mouth curved coldly.

“They handed you a performance, and the three of you applauded every scene.”

Ames turned sharply toward Pippa.

“You lied to us?”

She sat frozen on the floor, her face drained of color.

“No. I’m Pippa. You promised to protect me.”

Dashiell suddenly grabbed her by the hair and hauled her upright.

“You used Malcolm to manipulate us?”

His voice shook with rage.

“You dared build this lie around the man who died for us?”

The officers immediately pulled him back. One detective forced Pippa’s arms behind her and locked handcuffs around her wrists.

“Back away. You can make a statement at the precinct.”

Pippa screamed as they dragged her toward the doors.

No one looked at her again.

My three brothers stood in the middle of the ballroom, hollow and stunned, as if every ounce of strength had left them.

Then Ames turned toward me.

His eyes were bloodshot as he crossed the room. He stopped in front of me, then slowly sank to his knees.

“Romy, I was wrong.”

He struck himself across the face.

“I treated you like that for a fraud. I’m worse than anything I accused you of being.”

Tiernan came forward next, his eyes red and his voice shaking.

“I’m sorry, Romilly.”

“Please forgive us. Come home with us, okay?”

I watched them break down without raising my voice.

There was no anger left on my face.

“Home?”

The word came out softly.

“You mean the house where she wore my clothes, drank from my cup, and put peanut butter in my food?”

Dashiell went rigid.

He snapped his head up.

“The peanut butter?”

His face drained.

“She caused your reaction?”

I smiled.

“She told me herself.”

“She said that while I was upstairs going into anaphylactic shock, the three of you were downstairs celebrating her birthday.”

My gaze moved across their faces.

“I was on the floor, suffocating.”

“You were singing to her.”

Dashiel staggered as if I had struck him.

One hand went to his chest. His knees buckled, and he collapsed backward onto the ballroom floor.

“Dash!”

Ames and Tiernan rushed toward him.

I watched without moving.

Then I turned, slipped my arm through Blaise’s, and faced the exit.

“I’ve seen enough, Mr. Harcourt.”

“Take me home.”

Blaise looked down at me, approval flickering in his eyes.

“As you wish.”