?Chapter 392:


    He was, after all, only human, subject to the whims of his own emotions.


    Seeing Ethel’s anger simmering beneath the surface, Hugh added in a soft tone, “As soon as you stormed off, Cheryl confided in me. She said she understood why you both were upset. She even admitted that if she were in your shoes, with her father nning to remarry, she’d be just as troubled.”


    Hugh sighed, his thoughts drifting. Before today, he hadn’t anticipated such resistance. He had always hoped Freya would confront him directly if she opposed his marriage ns. That way, he could have respected her wishes openly.


    However, her expressing those doubts in front of Cheryl—that had stung more than he wanted to admit.


    “You’re just trying to me this on Mina,” Ethel spat, her voice sharp with usation.


    Hugh’s brows furrowed, but he kept quiet.


    He wasn’t ming Freya—he just wished, deep down, that she could understand him better. Especially now, when Cheryl was doing her best tofort him through her own heartbreak.


    “I’m not ming her,” Hugh finally said. “I just think it’s a little harsh to say you don’t like someone right to their face. She didn’t used to be like this.”


    Ethel’s eyes red, her gaze burning with rising anger.


    She clenched her fists, unable to shake the thought of how devastated her sister would be if she ever found out what their father truly felt.


    “You wanna know why she doesn’t like Cheryl Newman?” Ethel shot back, her voice sharp as a whip. “It’s because Cheryl tries to copy Mom—down to the clothes, the way she talks, even the earrings she wears!” She turned on her heel, her voice growing louder as she stormed off. “It’s not just Freya. If I’d seen it sooner, I wouldn’t be able to stand her either!”


    Reflecting on it now, it seemed almost surreal.


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    Cheryl’s change had been so subtle and gradual, a creeping transformation. Without her sister’s pointed reminders, it would have slipped right by unnoticed.


    As he watched Ethel’s figure disappearing into the distance, Hugh stood frozen, a mix of disbelief and weariness shadowing his features.


    He rubbed his brow, a tired sigh escaping him.


    How did everything end up like this?


    After a moment of heavy silence, he finally pulled out his phone andposed a message to Cheryl, his fingers hesitating over the screen.


    Meanwhile, Ethel sat in the back of the car, her eyes rimmed red with unshed tears. Despite the strained rtionship with Hugh, she didn’t mind—as long as she had Freya by her side.


    But witnessing Freya being mistreated was more than she could bear. For some kids, their heroes were their fathers, towering figures of strength and protection. For Ethel, however, Freya was her champion—the unwavering guardian who appeared the instant danger loomed, the magician who turned her deepest wishes into reality.


    Holding onto that thought, she took a deep breath and pushed down the rush of emotion. Then, speaking calmly to the driver and bodyguard seated up front, she said, “Don’t let Mina hear about any of this, alright?”


    “Understood,” they answered together, their voices steady and respectful.


    Freya was oblivious to what had unfolded between Hugh and Ethel. After dropping Freya and Kristian off, Gerard had left, leaving only the two of them alone in the living room.


    Freya nced at Kristian, who hadn’t uttered a single word since their arrival. She had no intention of breaking the silence herself. Her visit today was simply to make it easier to coordinate with Ethel when she arrivedter.


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