Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 52: Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked helplessly at Sandra and Richard, her face filled with silent frustration.

Richard saw her distress and immediately stepped in, his voice sharp. "Vince, why are you even asking Maia anything about your marriage to Rosanna?"

Maia couldn't make sense of it either. Wasn't he supposed to be madly in love with Rosanna? Why was he dragging her into this?

Despite the tension, Vince remained calm. He smiled, still measured in his demeanor. "Richard, don't misunderstand. Rosanna just said she would only feel right about the engagement if Maia gave us her blessing. I don't want that uncertainty hanging over her. So…" Then he turned toward Maia and held her gaze with intensity. "Maia, will you bless us?"

All eyes landed on Maia.

A cold chuckle slipped from Maia. The Morgans and Vince loved their little performance, acting like her opinions mattered just so they could soothe their own guilt.

Like playing saint would wipe the slate clean. Who were they kidding? If they were going to keep playing this game, Maia was more than ready to tear through their little stage.

Her fingers tapped softly against the table, her face giving nothing away. Then she met Vince's eyes, lips curling just a touch as she spoke in an even tone. "And what if I don't?"

The whole Morgan family went still, their expressions frozen.

Jarrod shot up from his chair and slammed his hand against the table. "We asked for your input out of courtesy, Maia. Don't start thinking it meant more than that. This wedding between Vince and Rosanna was decided long ago. You have no place in it."

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At the other end, Rosanna was dabbing beneath her eyes, sniffling like someone utterly heartbroken. "Maia… are you saying no because you're still in love with Vince? Is that why you can't give us your blessing?"

Vince hadn't looked away from Maia since. A question stirred in his mind. Was there a part of her that hadn't moved on? Could it be that her coldness from before was just an act? A petty show of jealousy?

With a sideways glance, Maia turned toward Rosanna. A sharp, humorless laugh escaped her lips. "Isn't this whole dinner your idea of a spectacle, Rosanna? You brought me here to flaunt what you've got. But let me make something clear. I couldn't care less about your relationship or your marriage plans. Stop pretending to be the victim, looking for pity. I haven't forgotten why I came here. Let's get down to business if you're done acting."

That sentence sliced through Rosanna's soft, helpless image like a blade.

Her fingers curled into tight fists by her sides.

Everything Rosanna had built - her pride, her happiness - relied on Maia's misery. She had wanted her to sit quietly and watch as she took away every last thing Maia had once cherished.

For seventeen years, Maia had lived in luxury under the Morgan name. Rosanna believed that Maia's past life was supposed to be hers. Did Maia even know how Rosanna had survived all those years?

Why should Maia have had a better life?

In her heart, Rosanna had always believed that Maia got what she deserved.

But hearing Maia say none of it mattered? That cut deeper than anything.

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