Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
To mask her hostility, Rosie deftly linked arms with Brenna, keeping her close.
Brenna played along, her smile never wavering, presenting herself in the best possible light to the public.
As the cousins departed from the DNA testing center, Rosie noted the absence of people trailing them. She angrily withdrew her arm and confronted Brenna, saying, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you? Isn’t being recognized as a Harper enough? Now you’re after the social standing, too…”
She was on the verge of unleashing her fury when she spotted the Harper family and Ethan approaching.
Swiftly, she masked her agitation with a genteel, caring facade, smiling as she approached Luther. “Grandpa, Grandma, since Brenna is officially one of us now, I think a welcome banquet is in order. It would be the perfect way for her to truly immerse herself in high society and witness genuine refinement. You don’t object, do you?”
Luther didn’t want to stir the pot, especially given Rosie’s orphaned state and emotional fragility. Seeing her willingness to embrace change, he still regarded her as the family’s cherished child.
He said, “Alright, you take the reins on this one. We’ll stay out of it. It’s getting too chaotic here; we’re heading back to the countryside estate.”
Tessa nodded and said, “Yes, now that we’ve seen our granddaughter, it’s time to return and look after my chickens.”
Brenna walked over and sweetly said, “I’ll come visit soon; I like the countryside life, too.”
Tessa laughed heartily. “I know, dear. You mentioned buying that quaint oil painting of a hen with her chicks. When my hen has chicks of her own, I’ll invite you to see the real deal. Why settle for a painting?” she said.
Brenna’s laughter was light. “Promise you won’t forget that, Grandma.”
Ethan, having overheard their conversation, pondered silently. Did Brenna truly like living in the countryside?
Maybe he should consider building a manor next to Luther’s for Brenna to use as a retreat.
Throughout the journey home, Rosie felt an unsettling knot in her stomach. She was haunted by the fear that Luther and Tessa would confront her, accusing her of being harsh and turning against her cousin.
Every second of the ride, anxiety clawed at her, but to her surprise, neither of them said a word about what had happened. It seemed they were completely unaware of the situation, and with that, Rosie allowed herself a brief moment of relief.
As they entered the house, Rosie found solace in the fact that the extended Harper family members had left the estate, and she hoped the matter had been buried.
But the atmosphere shifted as Luther and Tessa stepped into the living room. They directed the servants to tidy up before settling onto the sofa, their expressions stern. Their sharp, unwavering gazes locked onto Rosie, making her shift uncomfortably under their intense scrutiny.
Tessa broke the silence first, her voice firm as she said, “Rosie, we need the truth. That day, in front of the entire family, you took a few strands of Brenna’s hair and sent them to the DNA testing center. Tell us honestly-did you tamper with the samples?”
Shepard, Giselle, Ernst, and Dalton sat on the adjacent sofa, their faces cold as they watched. None showed any inclination to defend Rosie; their silence spoke louder than words.
Brenna sat beside Tessa, her hands resting gently in her grandmother’s. Tessa’s voice, filled with calm authority, was gentle when she tried to comfort Brenna. “Brenna, don’t be afraid. In this family, we know the importance of right and wrong. Whoever errs must face the consequences, no exceptions.”
A surge of warmth washed over Brenna at her words. Tessa, though not one to often express her emotions or share intimate conversations, had always made Brenna feel safe-never judging, always providing a sense of quiet support. Brenna always felt at ease with her by her side.
Brenna nodded and said, “I trust you, Grandma. I know you will stand up for me.”
Tessa’s hand gently brushed Brenna’s hair, her eyes filled with tenderness. “You’re such a thoughtful young woman. Even when Rosie has wronged you, you’ve never once complained. You have always considered her circumstances-growing up-
Without parents-and haven’t held it against her. You’ve been wronged, yet you’ve remained graceful.”
Rosie’s heart ached with bitterness, her eyes instantly filling with tears. Tessa had always been her staunchest supporter before, but now, that support seemed to have shifted to Brenna. Her heart ached with the sudden, painful sense of abandonment.
With a quiver in her voice, Rosie looked at Tessa, her frustration spilling over. “Grandma, how can you say that I’ve wronged her? I’ve always been happy for Uncle Shepard and Aunt Giselle for finding their lost daughter. How could I possibly want to harm their daughter? I did not tamper with the samples at all! Brenna clearly doesn’t belong to our family!” she exclaimed.
Tessa’s voice was sharp, cutting through the thick tension that filled the room. “Enough with the lies, Rosie. Your grandfather had the doctor secretly take Brenna’s blood, and your uncle Shepard did the same. Why did their samples come back fine, yet the ones you submitted are different? If you continue to hide the truth, I will have no choice but to kick you out of the house!”
Rosie’s breath caught in her throat as tears fell from her eyes. She turned her gaze to Ernst, silently pleading with him to come to her defense.
But Ernst, his expression colder than Rosie had ever seen, was resolutely silent. His gaze was heavy with disappointment; the warmth that had once radiated from him was now replaced with an unyielding chill. His words then struck like a betrayal.
“Rosie, it’s time to face reality. I personally took a few strands of Brenna’s hair and sent them alongside my father’s for testing. The results were clear; Brenna is indeed my father’s biological daughter. If you admit your mistake now, I’m still willing to treat you like family. You’re still my cousin, and I’ll support you. But if you continue to lie, I can’t do that anymore.”
Rosie’s heart sank, a wave of desperation flooding over her.
Even Ernst-her cousin, the one person she had always relied on-had turned against her. She couldn’t comprehend it. How had she lost the family’s trust? How had Brenna become the center of attention, receiving all the love and support?
Anger and frustration surged within Rosie, a powerful mixture of betrayal and confusion. She couldn’t understand how things had changed so completely like this.
Observing the shift in Rosie’s expression, Luther knew exactly what she was thinking. His voice was firm, devoid of any sympathy, as he said, “If you refuse to take responsibility for your actions, you must leave. You have plenty of properties under your name-don’t think you can continue living in this house without-“
Admitting what you did.”
Rosie stood still, her mind caught in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Moving out would mean losing everything-no one would care for her anymore. Staying, however, came with a different kind of security. She would have a home and the comfort of Ernst’s love. Maybe if she behaved better, Uncle Shepard and Aunt Giselle would allow her to call them “Mom” and “Dad” again.
If she left, all she would have were the Harper family shares-a cold, empty consolation prize. The possibility of moving on without the Harper family’s attention and care left her feeling utterly helpless.
As these thoughts swirled in Rosie’s mind, her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor, her chest tightening with emotion. The weight of her decisions crushed her. With a voice choked with regret, she spoke.
“I was wrong, Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad… I made a mistake. I’ve been consumed by jealousy. I feared losing everything to Brenna, worried she’d take all the love I have…”
Her words faltered as tears welled up, spilling down her face, her whole body trembling under the intensity of her remorse.
Even Shepard and Giselle couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. They exchanged uncertain glances, torn between their disappointment and the sympathy they felt.
Giselle, in particular, felt for Rosie. For years, she had treated her like she was her daughter, and though her anger had led her to refuse Rosie the title of “Mom,” her heart softened at the sight of Rosie’s breakdown. Still, she couldn’t stop being mad at her. How could Rosie-someone she had nurtured and loved-be so cruel as to hurt her biological daughter?
The conflict within her was overwhelming, and she remained silent, her thoughts a mess she couldn’t yet untangle.
Rosie noticed the unyielding expressions on the family members’ faces, and with each passing second, her resentment toward Brenna grew, sinking deeper into her heart.