𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐎𝐧𝐞 | ✓

| 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 | 02

- 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

A mouthwatering buffet covered the glass dining table. The hunger-inducing smell of the meals lured everyone into the luxurious mansion to assign their seats. Though it took an arduous effort, the adults managed to settle the youngsters into their seats before also taking theirs.

Now that the Hamilton family was comfortably seated, they awaited the unknown guest's arrival.

Except, thick tension lurked amongst the blood relatives. Indirect insults were thrown around as well as hateful glares. No one dared to say anything, though, as all were trying to keep the peace.

"I'm here!" Meira arrived late. "Good morning..." she quickly realized there was nothing good about the morning.

Judgemental eyes scanned her from head to toe instantly.

Meira shrank under the scrutinizing gazes. She had come down wearing a simple white dress with rose designs on it, three-inch red heels, and a dazzling pearl necklace around her neck. Her fluffy hair was tied neatly in a slick low ponytail.

"Is she not a Christian?" Aunt Matilda inquired, earning her several glances. "That dress is way too short for someone serving who is the lord."

The dress in particular was knee-length. She hadn't thought the length was much of a problem, but everyone else did.

"The same way you're married but sleep around with the jobless himbos at the Sapphire Rose bar," Aunt Karen smiled kindly at the maid who shared her meal. "Darling, your dress is absolutely beautiful don't mind this woman. She's bitter because she lacks curves."

"Karen! How dare you?" Matilda slammed her fists on the table angrily. "You want to talk about bodies when you're nothing but a broomstick?"

The people seated around the table gasped.

"It's better to be a broomstick than a whale."

"Emotional damage," Justin covered his mouth in shock. "Oh, that's gotta hurt."

All hell broke loose once more.

Theodore, however, had had enough. He banged his fist on the table causing everyone to flinch and cease throwing insults. He rose from his seat, coldness emitting from him. He smoothed his custom-made Armani suit out with his hand then spoke, "I am sick and tired of this nonsense. Why can't you all get along? These petty fights are becoming unbearably infuriating!"

"Preach, pastor, preach!" Syahla raised a glass of orange juice, agreeing with her husband.

"My son had been framed for rape at the age of fourteen. Many community folks testified against my son and so-called eyewitnesses. He was whisked away to prison. Now, five years later, it has been proven that my son was innocent. No one believed him. I and the towns folk treated my son like trash for something he didn't do.

I had never even hired a lawyer to help my son. My son's image had been permanently tarnished because of one scrawny brat," Mr. Hamilton paused to blink away the tears pooling in his eyes. "My son lost five years of his life. He never got to graduate high school. If what happened didn't, he would've been in college by now, or working at my company. I admit I was never a good father to him. Words cannot express the regret I feel.

"My son, Ryat De Leone Hamilton, is now back in Arkville. He is here, in this house, in his room. I am his father, you are all his relatives. I called a family meeting to discuss this, and all you miserable people do is argue about frivolous things. Why must you make everything about yourselves? Listen to me, and hear me clearly, all of you!" his raised voice made everyone flinch again, and the seated children hid under the table.