From Cell to Crown- The Disgraced Heiress Returns

Chapter 4

Narissa pressed her lips together, trying to hold back the storm of emotions building inside her. Finally, she muttered, "I understand."

For a fleeting moment, Evan's expression hardened, but it passed so quickly that Narissa wondered if she had imagined it. His voice, when he spoke again, was cool and composed. "Since you understand, don't let it happen again."

Narissa's jaw clenched. "What exactly are you saying?"

His gaze turned frosty, and his voice sharper than before. "Do you really need me to spell it out for you? You know Bella is Liora's close friend, yet you still go around calling Wilde a mistress and pretend you're not targeting Liora?"

Her anger flared, but she fought to keep it in check. "She started it. She insulted Mom first."

Evan's eyes were filled with disappointment. "Drake was right... you've been too spoiled."

The words hit Narissa like a slap. She thought she understood, but now she felt completely blindsided. "What about when Bella said Dad cheated because Mom wasn't good enough? Don't you feel angry about that?"

Evan looked at her, his gaze calm but cutting. "At the time, Liora was just a baby. She couldn't have understood any of it. And Liora's right—her birth wasn't something she could control. You can't hold that against her."

Narissa's mind raced, struggling to process his words. The memories flooded back, back to the time before she was sent to the private prison. Back when her father dragged her out of bed after the attack on Liora, accusing her of orchestrating it. Even though she hadn't done anything, they still said someone had identified her. The world had looked at her with disdain, and all she wanted was to explain herself and clear her name.

Back then, her brother had stepped in to support her, but the look in his eyes wasn't one of belief. It was more of an obligation. He had stood by her because she was his sister, not because he believed in her. Despite her innocence, they'd been quick to send her away without even listening to her side of the story.

Now, Evan stood in front of her, calm, but there was a trace of something else in his eyes—disgust, maybe? His words were cold as ice. "Narissa, I'm your brother, so I'll always stand by you, no matter what. But I don't want to see this happen again."

In that moment, Narissa felt like she was standing in front of a stranger. This man, who had once sworn to protect her, now felt so distant. She remembered a time, years ago, at their mother's funeral. She had broken down completely, but her brother—only seventeen at the time—had held her hand tightly, his voice thick with emotion as he whispered, "Narissa, stop crying. Even without Mom, there's still me. I'll protect you for the rest of your life and never let anyone hurt you."

Back then, she had believed him. He had always stood by her, had always protected her, no matter what. But now, as she stood in front of him, she realized that the man who had promised to protect her for life no longer saw her the same way. The love was gone.