Married My Ex's Mafia Dad

Chapter 6

Brittany's POV

"That ring doesn't belong to you!" Yohan barked, his eyes cold and accusing.

Sharon stormed over, her heels clicking on the floor. "We all know how obsessed you've been with that ring, Brittany. You had no right to steal it."

"It's a Sullivan family treasure," she demanded, palm outstretched. "We decide who gets it, not you. Give it back now."

"Mom," Kayla said softly, grabbing her arm. "Don't get worked up over this. Your blood pressure..."

She turned to me, her face full of hurt. "Brittany, I know you've always wanted Grandmother to love you more. You've always dreamed of having the fancy things we couldn't afford. We get it. Spending so much time in the countryside, you picked up some habits..."

"Please, don't take this the wrong way. I'm not blaming you. I just want to know if, just for today—can’t you let me have something without taking it?"

Her voice trembled as tears streamed down her face. "Mom had the ring blessed for me," she choked out. "The priest warned me I'd be in danger without it today. I can't let Mom worry about me like that."

I watched her performance, feeling completely detached. I’d seen Kayla pull these kinds of stunts so many times before that they didn’t even faze me anymore. Her tears, her dramatic gestures—it was all the same old act. But no matter how many times she did it, my parents always fell for it.

Sharon was furious when she heard this. Her whole body shook with rage, and she could barely catch her breath. "You knew your sister wasn't well, and you deliberately stole her blessings! Brittany, how can you be so cruel?"

Yohan jumped in too. "Your sister's health and happiness mean everything to us. Hand over that ring right now, and I'll let this slide... just this once."

All our past fights flashed through my mind. Every single one ended with Mom and Dad hitting me.

This time was different though - they held back because Kayla was sick. I should probably feel lucky, I guess.

For a second, I thought about just giving them the ring to end this whole mess. But why should I? I didn't steal anything in the first place.

The whispers grew louder around me.

"Look at her - just some classless girl from the country," someone muttered. "She'll always be a thief."

Another voice chimed in, "No surprise the Sullivans love their adopted daughter more. Brittany's just a disgrace."

Their words hit me like punches, making my head spin. Suddenly, I was back in my prison nightmare, surrounded by bullies closing in. My legs felt weak as the familiar fear took over.

Then I spotted Sebastian in the crowd. The way he looked at me - so disappointed - felt worse than any insult. It crushed my heart. He marched over, barely holding back his anger. "Three years in prison and you haven't changed at all, Brittany? When will you stop making these mistakes?"

Mistakes? What mistakes? I laughed bitterly, my hands balling into fists. "You can't fix what isn't broken. And how can I repeat mistakes I never made? Sebastian, have you forgotten that I'm your-"

"Stop!" he cut me off, like he was ashamed to even admit we were engaged. His cold eyes stared right through me. "Just give Kayla her ring back. Now."

Something in me broke. "What is wrong with you?" I screamed. "I didn't steal anything! And you - you and Kayla think I don't know about your secret? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

I was ready to tell everyone about their affair, to expose all their lies. But before I could speak, Sebastian's hand clamped down hard on my arm.

Sebastian's eyes turned icy as he leaned in close. "Don't push me, Brittany," he whispered, his voice sending chills down my spine. "You know what my father can do!"