A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 341

"I'm done," Demi said flatly. "Stop coming to me with these so-called 'perfect solutions.' Because, for me, they're not perfect. They're disgusting.

"One minute I'm the maid, the next I'm the adopted daughter, now suddenly I'm a twin sister? Do you seriously think any of that has anything to do with my feelings? Every single one of those options is about you. About what works for Ana. About what makes your family feel better.

"If you'd actually cared about me, even for a second, you would've welcomed me in from the start—with real love, real warmth. You would've stood by me and told the world I was family."

"If it were up to us, of course, we would've announced your identity right away," Harold said stiffly. "But we couldn't just abandon Annie—"

"Oh? So Ana can't handle it, but I'm expected to suck it up and be a maid?" Demi cut in coldly. "Why is it always me who has to bend? Why does she get to break down over anything and everything, and I'm the one who's supposed to be fine no matter what?"

Harold swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. He had no answer.

Demi's smile curled, sharp and icy. "You know what, Harold? Once, I really did crave a family. I used to be stupid enough to chase after your approval—so desperate for a family that I bent over backward and gave up my boundaries. But I still have my pride. I still have a functioning brain.

"You really think that after dying once, I'd let you walk all over me again?"

"We didn't mean to walk all over you either. This proposal really is the best solution for both parties. Think carefully," Harold said hoarsely.

"Oh really?" Demi's eyes narrowed. "You didn't mean to, huh? What about yesterday, when you charged in and attacked me for not treating Ana? Maybe you'd understand if you had even tried to think from my perspective. But no—you always default to Ana's side. Always.

"And let's not pretend. If I go back to the Pitt family under this little twin-sister act, you all know what's going to happen. On paper, we're equals. But in reality? I'll still be her maid.

Harold stood there, his dark eyes locked on her. His expression grew colder by the second.

Finally, he spoke, voice low and bitter. "So it's all about Ana, huh? You hate her. You're jealous of her. You resent her. That's what this is really about. You want her out of the picture so you can be the only daughter.

"Well, let me make it clear that that's never gonna happen. Annie's been part of this family for over a decade. You can't erase that."

"Great." Demi didn't even turn around. "Then I wish you two the best. I hope you stay together forever."

Right then, Harold heard a soft sound behind him—a sharp sniff.