Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 382
Meanwhile, in a hospital room across the city.
Thatch stared at his phone, the disconnected line a fresh insult.
He looked at his daughter, Valeria, lying in the hospital bed and made a decision. With cold resolve, he dialed Faith’s number.
After Draven had been taken away at the engagement party, Faith had quietly told him to call if he ever needed anything.
He knew she had ulterior motives, of course. But Haskell had left him no choice. He’d not only cut off his spending but was now hunting for Draven, obsessed with proving he wasn’t his real brother. Haskell had pushed him to this.
The call connected almost instantly.
“Hello, Uncle Thatch?”
Downstairs at the Judson estate, Haskell and Larissa joined the family.
Sapphira looked up from her conversation and smiled warmly. “Wren just got lunch ready. Haskell, you should eat with us before heading back to the office.”
Haskell returned the smile. “Thank you. It would be my pleasure.”
Stanley was already at the dining table, pulling out a chair for himself. “The heir to the Palmer family, of course,” he remarked. “Always so formal.” He then patted the chair next to him. “Come, sit by me.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when Levi plopped into the seat.
Ignoring Stanley’s glare, Levi pulled out the chair next to him. “Larissa, you and I are closer in age. Less of a generation gap. You should sit here.”
Larissa couldn’t help but laugh.
Stanley was speechless. Finally, he sputtered, “You’re the one with the generation gap! Don’t you dare use age against me!”
“I’m just stating facts,” Levi retorted. “I’m worried you won’t be able to shake that habit of pulling rank on your subordinates at the office!”
“That’s it!” Stanley fumed. “Do you want me to teach you a lesson like I did when we were kids?”
Learning from their brothers‘ mistakes, Tavish and Vaughn wisely took their seats without a fuss, seeing the warning look on their mother’s face.
But Rafe, as always, was the cleverest of them all. He pulled out the chair right next to Sapphira. “Here, Larissa. Sit here.”
The other four uncles fell silent, staring. He’d outmaneuvered them again.
Only after Larissa was seated beside Sapphira did Rafe take the empty seat next to Levi. Haskell
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naturally took the spot on Larissa’s other side.
Levi shot Rafe a look. “You’re too much. Always have to be the one showing off in front of Larissa,
“I wasn’t trying to show off, Rafe said innocently. “I just didn’t want you guys to upset Mom again and get an earful later. Besides, it’s only right for Larissa to sit with our sister.”
He then turned to Larissa with a warm smile. “You must be exhausted after treating Mr. Palmer. We won’t bother you. Let him serve you, make sure you eat plenty.”
Noticing the daggers her other uncles were staring at Rafe, Larissa suppressed a smile and nodded. “Of course, Uncle Rafe”
She picked up her bowl and beamed at Haskell. “Thank you, darling.”
And with that, Haskell dutifully began his task of filling her plate.
Across the table, Sapphira and her husband, Neville, exchanged an amused smile.
After lunch, Larissa turned to Bryant. “Before I take you home, I have a little surprise for you.”
She looked toward the second floor and let out a sharp whistle.
Bryant watched, puzzled, as a soft slithering sound came from the staircase. A moment later, three small snakes, each a different color, gracefully descended.
After witnessing the swarm of vipers and insects that had defeated forty bodyguards earlier, the sight of just three snakes hardly fazed the Turner family.
“Shadow, Snowy, Sage,” Larissa called, pointing to Bryant. “Look who’s here.”
Sage, its round eyes wide with curiosity, was the first to approach, coiling playfully around Bryant’s feet.
Shadow and Snowy watched their sibling with undisguised disdain.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
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