Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
When she turned back to Brenna, her tears had already begun to fall. “It’s fine, Brenna. Mom wants you to have the first pick. I won’t take anything-it’s all yours.”
Rosie’s tears were just for show, and inwardly, she reveled in satisfaction. She never cared about the clothes. She only wanted to annoy Brenna.
Brenna was visibly irritated by Rosie’s antics. “There’s no need,” she said coldly. Her expression turned even frostier. “If you want them, keep them. I won’t take any of them.”
Rosie’s eyes gleamed with victory. “Really? You’re not interested in the bags or the shoes, either?”
Brenna gave a brief nod. “I don’t care about these things.”
Rosie glanced over, only to find Ethan’s face chillingly cold, his sharp eyes fixed on the Harper family members, clearly displeased with the way they were treating Brenna.
Heart pounding, Rosie stepped forward, quickly saying, “Ethan, look at her. I only picked a few things, and now she refuses to take anything. Everyone has different tastes. It’s not like I intentionally took what she wanted. Why can’t she just choose a few? My mother went through all this trouble for her, yet she’s still not satisfied. I really don’t know what else we’re supposed to do to please her.”
She then let out a dramatic sigh. “Maybe she’s just used to being frugal after living with the Barretts. She doesn’t understand how things work in the Harper family. With all the events we attend, she’ll need a variety of outfits. If she refuses to pick anything, she’ll end up wearing the same clothes repeatedly. People might even think our Harper family is mistreating her. She is being so inconsiderate.”
As she spoke, she moved closer to Ethan, her shoulder brushing against his.
Noticing this, Ethan took a step away from her, dusting off his sleeve as if wiping away dirt. His voice remained calm as he said, “You are considerate? You chose clothes for yourself first even when you knew they were for your sister.”
Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward and took Brenna’s arm. “Brenna, I know a few fashion design studios. I’ll take you there to select some clothes.” He turned to the Harper family members. “I’ll handle my fiancee’s needs myself. There’s no need for your assistance.”
Rosie was shocked after hearing that and exclaimed, “What? Your fiancee?”
Ethan’s offer gave Brenna an easy way out, and she genuinely appreciated it. In fact, this was the most considerate thing he had done for her since they met.
At that moment, she made up her mind-if Ethan bought her clothes, she wouldn’t accept them as a gift. She would find a way to pay him back.
“Alright, let’s go now,” Brenna said, stepping toward Ethan. Ethan extended his arm, and Brenna slipped hers through it with effortless grace, a bright smile lighting up her face.
Rosie stood frozen. Her first instinct was to yank Brenna away from Ethan, and she did just that. She then clenched her fists and snapped, “Ethan, how can you be so reckless? You barely know her! Do you even realize what kind of person she is? She is someone vain! I only picked a few things, and she threw a tantrum over it. Someone so petty doesn’t deserve you!”
Brenna turned to her, eyes sharp. “If I’m petty, then you’re downright malicious. You know I don’t have many clothes, yet despite having an overflowing wardrobe, you still try to take what little I have. You just wanted to humiliate me, making me choose from the clothes you left behind. Don’t think I don’t see exactly what you’re doing.”
“You…” Rosie was caught off guard. She had assumed Brenna was too naive to recognize her schemes-or at least too meek to call them out. But Brenna had called her out in front of everyone, without hesitation or concern for the consequences.
After a pause, Rosie said, “You misunderstood me! I already said I didn’t want them and let you pick. Since you refused, that’s on you! How can you blame me for any of this?”
“Enough! You’re all making a fuss over a few clothes. This is absurd!” At some point, Luther had stepped out of the elevator, resting on his cane, his expression dark as he glared at Rosie. Without warning, he strode forward and swung his cane at her.
“Grandpa, what are you doing…” Rosie yelped, but she didn’t dare dodge. She endured several strikes, her body jerking from the pain. “Grandpa, I just don’t like the clothes in my closet anymore!”
This time, she was genuinely upset. Luther had always spoiled her the most, giving her extra pocket money and treats, making sure she never felt abandoned after losing her parents.
Yet now, because of Brenna, he was punishing her. Tears welled up in Rosie’s eyes and streamed down her face as she said, “I knew it! Ever since my parents died, no one in this family cares about me anymore…”
“Enough of that nonsense!” Luther exclaimed in anger. “Who in this family doesn’t care about you? Your uncles treat you like their own daughter, and yet, you take advantage of their kindness, constantly testing their patience. Hasn’t your aunt been good to you? And now that her real daughter is back, she just wants to make up for lost time. But you want to interfere in the matter. You’re too selfish! From now on, stop calling her ‘Mom.’ She’s Aunt Giselle to you, and you’ll address your uncle properly as well!”
Luther’s hand trembled with anger as he slammed his cane against the floor. As the family’s head, he had a duty to be fair, and he couldn’t allow Rosie to continue mistreating Brenna.
Brenna, watching Luther stand up for her-even going so far as to hit Rosie-felt a wave of emotion. Stepping forward, she said softly, “Grandpa, please don’t be upset. These clothes are fine. I’ll just select a few.”
Hearing that, Giselle approached Brenna, her expression carrying a hint of guilt. “Brenna, go ahead and choose a few. In the afternoon, I’ll take you shopping.”
Brenna gave her a nod. “Alright, let’s do that.”
Watching as Brenna’s coldness gradually thawed and the distance between Brenna and Giselle faded, Luther finally felt a sense of relief.
Meanwhile, Rosie ran off crying, her hands covering her face.
Rachael glanced at the clothes Rosie had left behind and considered bringing them to her. However, the sharp thud of Luther’s cane against the floor made her halt immediately, forcing her to abandon the idea.
Ethan, quietly observing the room full of clothes, quickly grasped the situation-Brenna’s wardrobe was severely lacking. Though he refrained from bringing up the idea of taking her shopping again, he attentively watched as she selected a few items, memorizing her preferred styles, colors, and her size.
After a moment, he approached Luther, assisting him to the sofa before speaking politely. “Mr. Harper, I know our families have a marriage agreement. I’d like to marry Brenna.”
He hesitated briefly over how to refer to Brenna, and calling her by her first name felt natural.
Luther met Ethan’s gaze with a steady look and said, “Ethan, I’ve watched you grow up. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. You’ve only known Brenna for a few days-“
“Are you sure you’re not acting on impulse now? I hope you’ll take the time to think this through carefully.”
Ethan’s expression remained unwavering as he said, “Mr. Harper, I’m completely serious. I’ve been aware of our families’ marriage agreement for years, but I never felt strongly about it before. But now that I’ve met Brenna, I’m certain-she’s the one I want to marry.”
Rachael overheard Ethan and Luther talking and felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. Without hesitation, she hurried upstairs to find Rosie.
She found Rosie in the bedroom, furiously hurling a pillow across the room. With her face twisted with anger and teeth clenched, she spat out, “I wish you’d just go away, Brenna!”
Rachael’s heart ached at the sight. “Rosie, don’t do this. Your parents would be heartbroken seeing you like this.”
Rosie grabbed the pillow and threw it again, harder this time. Tears streaming down her face, she sobbed, “They all bully me, just because I don’t have real parents to love me! You knew how my aunts used to act-so kind, treating me like family. But you’ve seen what is happening now. Aunt Jillian doesn’t even acknowledge me anymore. And Aunt Giselle isn’t any better. She only cared about me when her own daughter was missing. I was just a stand-in. Now that her real daughter is back, she doesn’t need me. She has never loved me. I won’t call her Mom anymore, Rachael.”
Rachael gently took the pillow from Rosie’s hands and placed it back on the bed. Then, she sat down across from her and looked at her tear-streaked face with a steady gaze. “Silly girl. Of course, she never saw you as her own daughter. Even Luther is siding with Brenna now. If you don’t start thinking clearly and planning to do something, there won’t be a place for you in this family.”
Rosie’s sobs grew heavier. “What can I do? They’re real mother and daughter.”
Rachael’s eyes hardened. She pulled a tissue from her pocket and wiped Rosie’s tears. “Stop crying and listen to me. From now on, treat your aunt Giselle like she’s your real mom. Keep calling her Mom. But you can’t openly oppose Brenna anymore. Not only should you avoid going against her, but you also need to be kind to her. Everyone’s watching. If you try anything reckless, they’ll see right through your scheme.”