Chapter 261

Summer's POV

The tension at the dinner table was suffocating. Each clink of silverware against fine china echoed uncomfortably in the silence that had fallen after Grandpa George shut down my mother's inappropriate wedding comments.I kept my eyes fixed on my plate, pushing around food I had no appetite for.

Mother hadn't spoken since being reprimanded, but her eyes burned into me from across the table. The pristine Taylor family image she so desperately wantedto project was crumbling because of me, and she was seething.

When the dessert plates were finally cleared away, Grandpa George pushed back from the table with a soft sigh.

"Mr. Sullivan," he said, his weathered face creasing into a genuine smile,"would you care to join me for a game of chess? I find it aids digestion far better than awkward family conversation."

Sean's eyes lit up. "I'd be delighted, Mr. Taylor."

"Summer," Grandpa added, turning to me, "you'll join us too, won't youa?"

I nodded gratefully, eager for any excuse to escape the dining room. "Of course,Grandpa."

Grandpa's room was my favorite place in the Taylor mansion-a sanctuary of leather-bound books, the scent of pipe tobacco, and treasured memories.The elaborate chess set was already set up by the fireplace, and Parker had left a silver tea service nearby.

"Allow me," I said, moving to prepare the tea while Grandpa and Sean settled at the chess table.

To my surprise-and clearly to Grandpa's as well-the game progressed rapidly in Sean's favor. Within thirty minutes. Grandpa was staring at the board in open amazement.

"Checkmate." Sean said softly, his finger resting lightly on his queen.

Grandpa leaned back, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "It seems this old man can still be caught off guard. Your skill is remarkable, Mr.Sullivan."

Sean shrugged modestly. "It's nothing special, really. Brandon's the one who trained me. He has no patience for mediocre opponents."

I laughed unexpectedly. "Sean, I don't think you realize-my grandfather is a chess enthusiast. If Brandon and he haven't already played, I'd be shocked." I turned to Grandpa with a teasing smile. "It seems you've finally met your match, haven't you?"

Grandpa accepted the cup of tea I offered him. "Not bad at all,"he approved, both of the tea and, I suspected, of Sean's abilities.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back."

The upstairs hallway was dimly lit. As I passed my father's study,I noticed light spilling from beneath the door. A sharp edge to my mother's voice made me pause.

"I can't believe that ungrateful little brat!" My mother's voice, no longer coated in social nicety, was cold with fury. "After everything we've done for her, she's clearly trying to use Michael Sullivan to break free from this family!"

"Elizabeth, keep your voice down," my father warned, his tone hushed but insistent.

"I should never have introduced him to her!" Mother continued. "Victoria could have made so much more of that connection."

"Elizabeth!" My father's voice sharpened.

"Don't 'Elizabeth' me, Richard! You know I'm right. That worthless girl has been nothing but trouble since the day we brought her home.God,I regret ever agreeing to take her in!"

My heart stopped. *Take her in?* A strange buzzing filled my ears as I pressed closer to the door.

"Lower your voice," my father hissed. "And we've discussed this-we are never to speak of that again."

"It's just so infuriating!" my mother continued, though slightly quieter now."We only adopted her for Thompson's inheritance, and what has she given us in return? Nothing but headaches! She's not even our real daughter-why should I pretend to care about her the way I do Victoria?"

"Because," my father's voice was strained with barely contained anger,"regardless of how you feel about her birth mother, Summer holds shares we need. Or have you forgotten that detail in your spite?"

The world tilted beneath my feet. *Not their real daughter. Adopted.Shares they need.*

Each word hit like a physical blow, shattering everything I thought I knew about myself. I stumbled backward, my elbow knocking against a decorative vase, which wobbled precariously.

The voices inside the study immediately fell silent.

"Did you hear something?" my mother asked sharply.

I froze,paralyzed with panic. The door handle turned.

Just as the door began to open, a strong hand clamped over my mouth while another arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward into the shadows of an adjoining hallway. Sean's body shielded mine from view.

"Richard, I definitely heard something," my mother insisted from the doorway.

A soft thud and skittering of claws drew their attention away.

"There's your noise," my father said. "Just that stray cat Parker keeps feeding."

Their footsteps retreated, followed by the soft click of the study door closing.

Only then did Sean release me, his worried eyes searching my face."Summer?"

But I couldn't respond. My body felt disconnected, like I was floating outside myself. The revelation echoed in my mind, shattering and reforming with each repetition.

*Not their daughter. Never was. A transaction. Unwanted.*

"Summer!" Sean's voice seemed to come from very far away.

I barely registered his hands on my shoulders, gently shaking me. I stared blankly at his face, unable to process anything beyond the deafening roar in my head.

"Summer, I'm sorry for grabbing you like that," he apologized. "Summer?"

Something in his tone finally pierced through the fog. I blinked,reality crashing back with brutal force.

"Sean," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I need to see Brandon.I need to see Brandon right now."

Sean's brow furrowed with worry. "But Brandon's at the Stark mansion tonight. It's Christmas Eve-there's a strict family tradition. He probably can't leave-"

"No." I cut him off, desperation clawing at my chest. "I don't care. I need to see Brandon, even if I have to go to the Stark house. I *need* to see him!11

"Okay, okay," Sean said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "We'll see Brandon. But we should at least say goodbye to your grandfather first. He'll worry if we just disappear."

Before I could respond, a familiar voice called out from down the hallway.

"There you are!" Victoria's saccharine tone made my skin crawl. "We've been looking everywhere for you two!"

She glided toward us, Alexander trailing behind her like a reluctant shadow. My head throbbed as I tried to focus on her face-my not-sister,the daughter they'd actually wanted.

"We have to leave," Sean said smoothly,positioning himself slightly in front of me. "Something's come up. Please extend our apologies to the rest of the family."

Victoría's practiced smile didn't falter, but her eyes narrowed slightly."Leaving so soon? But the night's just getting started!"

"Unavoidable, I'm afraid," Sean replied, his tone brooking no argument.He placed a steady hand at the small of my back, gently guiding me forward.

We left them frozen in mutual hostility, Sean practically carrying me down the stairs and out into the bitter December night. The moment we cleared the front door, my legs gave out completely.

"Summer!" Sean crouched beside me, alarm evident in his voice. "What's

going on? What happened back there?"

The cold air against my face finally broke the dam. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I gasped for breath between sobs.

"Sean," I choked out, clutching at his coat. "Please... I need to see Brandon.I need to see him right now."