Chapter 10 A House Divided
The welcome party had gone smoothly, ending with applause and warm wishes.
Jamila could hardly believe Fiorella had made it through unscathed. Unable to find Cameron, she could only walk the guests out.
For Fiorella, it was a promising start, but there was no relief yet.
At the moment, the entire Huerta family sat around the long wooden table in their vast, grand living room.
Fiorella’s return was a big deal.
Too much was still unsettled–where Jamila would go, how Fiorella’s foster parents felt about the reunion, and whether years of care could be repaid.
None of it would be solved in one conversation.
And the Huerta family wasn’t the kind to accept change without scrutiny.
Fiorella knew what her return meant.
She had a long way to go before she could truly settle in.
Her head stayed down as she sat there. Across the table, the family was silent in their velvet–lined chairs, deep in thought.
Only Sandra seemed happy to have her back.
She spoke up. “Fiorella, it’s time to move back in with us. Just pack
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Chapter 10 A House Divided
your things and come back?”
It was a simple, practical suggestion.
Bringing Fiorella back was the priority.
But the moment Sandra finished, the room grew tense.
Before Fiorella could respond, a voice cut in, “Isn’t this too soon?”
It was Bronson Huerta, Fiorella’s uncle.
He was in a striped suit, half his shirt buttons undone.
And he reeked of alcohol, looking drunk.
With his arms crossed, he had an annoyed look on his face.
“The party just ended. Everyone’s exhausted. Can’t this wait a few days? She’s already here. It’s not like she’ll disappear again, right?”
His wife Paisley Huerta spoke up right after.
“Exactly. And if she moves in, what happens to Mila? We can’t just push her out, can we?”
They sounded concerned about Jamila.
But Jamila knew better. They were using her as an excuse to delay the rightful heir’s return.
No matter how outstanding Jamila was, she would never be a true Huerta like Fiorella.
And when Fiorella’s grandfather Harry Huerta passed, the inheritance would be split. Jamila might get something, but not much.
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11
Fiorella, though, was different.
Considering her status now and everything she had endured, if guilt made Harry compensate her, Bronson’s family would get less.
Anyone sharp at the table knew why Bronson was making a fuss, especially Sandra.
Her expression hardened.
“Bronson, are you saying there’s no room for Fiorella in a house this size? Mila has to be kicked out just to make space for my daughter? Have we really come to that? Or is there another reason you’re dragging this out?”
Sandra didn’t need to raise her voice to make her warning felt.
Bronson let out a chuckle and looked away.
But Paisley was eager to smooth things over.
“No, of course not! That’s not what we meant. We’re just thinking about Mila’s feelings. That’s all.”
She turned to Jamila, expecting her to step in.
Jamila caught the cue, but she had her own plan.
“Paisley, I appreciate the concern, but… I think it’s time to give everything back to my sister. I’ve been holding onto what’s hers all these years. Guys, don’t worry about me. Whatever the family decides, I’ll accept it.”
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