The Heiress's Shadow novel Chapter 20

Chapter 13 

I knock on the door and Tanya opens it a few seconds later. 

As soon as I walk in, the shuts the door behind me and pulls my hood off. 

She studies my face for a few seconds before pulling me into a hug. 

“What’s wrong, honey?” 

What the– 

“How do you know something’s wrong?” I mumble into her shoulder. 

“Motherly instinct.” Is all she says before pulling away and leading me to the couch, sitting me down next to her. “Now tell me what’s wrong.” 

“Uhh, well, I woke up feeling really sad today, I guess.” I start. “I had a…an argument with my mother last night.” 

“But that’s not the main reason, is it?” Tanya looks at me knowingly. 

I purse my lips before bursting like the Hoover Damn. 

“I have ADHD! When I was nine, my little sister, Lucy, past away from cancer! When I was fifteen, my twin sister, Heaven, past away from cancer! My dad walked out on my mum and I after Heaven’s funeral! The reason I always cover my face is because Heaven and I were identical twins and I can’t stand to look at myself! I miss them!” My lip quivers before I burst into tears. 

I don’t usually cry, but talking about my family always makes me want to die…that rhymed. I didn’t mean to rhyme. 

Tanya immediately pulls me into her arms, stroking my hair and letting me cry into her chest. 

“Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.” She comforts me, kissing the top of my head. 

I sob for what seems like hours before pulling away and wiping my face. 

“Tanya, please don’t tell the boys.” I sniffle. 

“I won’t, honey.” She assures me. 

“Tanya?” I say after a moment. 

“Yes, sweetie?” 

“What’s so special about this hoodie?” 

Her breath hitches and I start panicking. 

“I’m sorry! Forget I said anything! I’m so sorry–” 

“No, it’s alright, honey.” She takes a breath. “Why do you ask, though?” 

“Well, Noah came to ask me if wanted to hang out with them this morning but he saw me wearing the hoodie and got mad. He told me it wasn’t his and when I asked what he meant, he changed the subject.” 

“All I can say is, that hoodie you’re wearing right now, was his brother’s. And he’s not with us anymore.” She tells me sadly. “The rest is Noah’s story to 

tell.” 

“Tanya, I’m so sorry.” I hug her. 

“It’s fine, honey.” She sniffles a bit. “How about we make some cookies?” 

The door bursts open and three idiots run inside, making me quickly pull my hood up. 

“I smell cookies!” Max’s voice rings out as he runs into the kitchen followed by Noah and Dylan walking in behind him like sane people. “Hi, Nevaeh!” 

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The Heiress’s Shadow 

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Chapter 13 

Tanya turns to Max who is about to pick up a cookie off the tray. “Max! careful! They’re h-” 

“OW, SHIT ON A STICK!” 

“–ot.” Tanya finishes her sentence, staring at Max with a bitch face as he hops around the kitchen, nursing his hand and Dylan laughs loudly at his misfortune, pointing at him. 

“You ditched me to spend the day with my mum?” Noah’s voice says from behind me. 

“Well, unlike you, she doesn’t have mood swings worse than a teenage girl on her period.” I shrug. “So…yep.” 

“Is it weird that I think Billy’s kind of hot?” 

All three boys look at me with disgusted faces before replying in unison. “YES!” 

“No, honey, I agree with you.” Tanya says, not taking her eyes off the screen, eating a piece of popcorn. 

Here we are, watching Scream. Somehow I ended up squished between Max and Noah. 

A very hyper Max and a very emotionless Noah. But then again, what’s new? 

“Mum!” Noah stares at his mother with his nose crinkled in disgust. Need I say that he looks adorable? 

“What?” Tanya looks at him. “I’m a single lady. And yes, I did just quote Beyonce. And shut up, yeah?” 

“I will not shut u–” Noah cuts himself off when he sees Tanya giving him a warning glare. “Yes, ma’am.” 

We all turn back to the T.V and focus all our attention on the movie. 

“You’re crazy. Both of you.” 

“We prefer the term psychotic.” 

“Shaggy really took too much pot this time.” I state, making Dylan and Tanya chuckle and Max burst out laughing. Noah just stays emotionless like always. 

Stupid rock. 

“MUMMY, I’M HOME!” 

Max rushes to pause the movie before anybody can be brutally murdered in front of Danny’s innocent eyes and we all stand up as said little boy walks into the living room and looks between us. 

His eyes then drift to the T.V, his face scrunching up. We all share a look before following his gaze. 

“Well, that’s quite a comprising position.” Noah states a few seconds later, his British accent thick. 

Stu is resting his head on Billy’s shoulder from behind as they corner Sidney. 

It looks like they’re fucking. Enough said. 

Ew. 

Tanya slaps Noah on the back of the head and Max slowly inches in front of the T.V, blocking Danny’s sight of it. 

“Oh, would you look at the time! You have school tomorrow! Time for bed!” Tanya rushes out, pushing Danny up the stairs.