He Threw Me Out At Six And Came Back Twenty Years Later To Marry Into My Family Chapter 02

My father’s smile thinned.

“Does Miss Voss have to be involved in this?”

Matriarch Clara patted my hand.

“Elowen is the head of this generation of the Voss family. Voss family matters naturally require her opinion.”

My father’s expression shifted.

He hid it well, but I caught that flicker of dismissal.

My mother smiled faintly.

“Elowen is so young, yet the Voss family values her this much. Remarkable.”

Liora looked at me again.

“Elowen, if I really marry into the Voss family, I’ll treat you like my own sister.”

My own sister.

I almost laughed.

She didn’t know I was already her real sister.

She had no idea that I was the daughter her parents had left behind twenty years ago.

I looked up at her, then at my father and mother.

“I don’t approve this engagement.”

Liora’s face went white.

She stared at me like she’d been slapped in public.

“Elowen, did I do something wrong?”

My mother pulled her back and patted her hand.

“Don’t be scared. Mom and Dad are here.”

My father’s polite mask finally started to crack.

“Miss Voss, marriage is between the kids. Isn’t one word of disapproval a bit rash?”

I said, “Not rash. The Hales aren’t right for the Voss family.”

The room went cold.

Liora’s eyes welled up.

“Elowen, I’ve been respectful to you since I walked in. I don’t understand why you hate me on sight.”

My mother sighed, her voice gentle like she was reasoning with a child.

“Elowen, are you worried that once your brother marries, someone new will take his attention away?”

She said it with a hint of pity in her eyes.

“You grew up spoiled by the Voss family. It’s normal to be reluctant to share your brother. But everyone has their own life.”

I looked up at her.

That face had barely changed in twenty years.

Still wrapping the knife in kindness.

She’d said the same thing back then. “Dad just loves Mom too much. Don’t make Dad upset.”

So I didn’t dare cry.

Didn’t dare ask for a hug.

Didn’t dare go near her when my father was around.

Because every time I got close to her, he’d send me away—to the country house, to relatives, anywhere but home.

Maeve set down her teacup, her voice cooler now.

“Mrs. Hale, watch your wording.”

My father only smiled.

“Mrs. Voss, don’t misunderstand. We just feel for the child.”

He looked at me, his tone turning oppressive.

“Miss Voss, being favored in the Voss family is a good thing. But favor isn’t a reason to interfere in your elders’ discussions about marriage.”

Ronan frowned.

“Mr. Hale, Elowen isn’t interfering. She’s a Voss.”

My father turned to him.

“Ronan, you’re the eldest son. Are you going to let your sister decide your marriage with one sentence?”

That landed hard.

Ronan’s face darkened.