Chapter 83


    Aiden was the apple of Mandy’s eye, a bright spark from the get–go. In the Gilbert household, he was


    practically raised on a pedestal, which unfortunately meant his temperament was spoiled rotten,


    leaving him with an air of indifference and the kind of arrogance you’d expect from a trust fund brat.


    His interactions with Mirabe were few and far between. They hadn’t grown up together, only really


    seeing each other when Mandy would bring Mirabe home to the Gilbert estate for the holidays.


    Alden, spoiled as he was, took every opportunity to torment Mirabe, setting her up for trouble. It’s fair


    to say that a fair share of the Gilbert n’s disdain for Mirabe could beid at Aiden’s feet.


    “Hey, scaredy–cat, can’t even say hi when you see me?” Aiden pocketed his phone, his tone dripping


    with conceit as he addressed Mirabe.


    Mirabe didn’t even bother to nce up. She turned her back to him, leisurely picking up a clean ss


    from the side table and pouring some water. From an angle no one could see, she discreetly dropped a


    pill she got from the Davis family into the cup.


    Aiden, circling around like a hawk, came up beside her. “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf or what?”


    Summer, off to the side, watched with a slight sneer, seemingly eager for the drama to unfold.


    Mirabe swirled the cup in her hand, acting as if Aiden was invisible, then turned around and offered


    the cup to her grandma, “Here, have some water.”


    Just as Catherine reached for the cup, Aiden, feeling repeatedly ignored and none too pleased about it,


    reached out to grab it. “Mirabelle, you’ve gotten pretty bold, have you-”


    His words were cut short as a sharp pain shot through his wrist, and a sudden force made him stagger.


    When he looked up into Mirabe’s cold, unfeeling eyes, Aiden involuntarily shivered.


    “Didn’t your mom teach you any manners?” Mirabe towered over him, her eyes glinting with a frosty


    edge. Her voice was soft, yet it carried a dangerous undertone.


    Aiden felt a primal fear, as if he were prey cornered by a predator. The pain in his wrist was nothing


    compared to the chill from Mirabe’s gaze. He stammered, “I… let me go.”


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Mirabe sneered at his cowardice, “If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen. You’re


    embarrassing yourself.” With that, she released him.


    Aiden’s face turned ashen as he clutched his throbbing wrist, wanting to retaliate but too scared to do


    so.


    Regaining herposure, Sumrner stepped forward to shield him, “Mirabe, how can you be so


    rough with a kid? Aiden used to be your brother after all.”


    Mirabe’s eyebrows arched yfully as her gaze settled on Summer’s face, a taunting smile on her


    lips, “Putting on a show of sibling love, are we?”


    Summer frowned, “You…”


    Before she could finish, Aiden pushed her aside. Having already been embarrassed in front of


    Mirabe, Summer’s intervention was like salt in his wounds. Shooting Mirabe a venomous look, he


    stormed off. Summer was left standing there, her dignity in tatters.


    Half a minuteter, Aiden, who had stormed out of the room, doubled back to the doorway, “Mom, why


    are you still here? If someone wants to stick around and take care of grandma, you don’t need to waste


    your time.” With that, he really did leave without looking back.


    Mandy, ever the doting mother, didn’t bother with a reprimand for Mirabe and hurried after her son.


    Summer was left there, herplexion a mix of anger and embarrassment.