Larissa's Game of Thrones (Larissa) novel Chapter 21

Larissa shot Leopold a withering glance. “Wipe that smile off your face,” she said bluntly. “It’s a pathetic look on you. If you can’t manage a real one, save it for your precious little sister. Don’t nauseate me.”

Without waiting for a reply, she followed Sapphira to the two empty seats next to Neville. Sapphira sat beside her husband, and Larissa sat beside Sapphira, leaving a pointed gap.

Leopold was speechless.

To be publicly humiliated like that left him seething, the forced smile on his face threatening to crack. It took him a long moment to swallow his rage and take his seat.

Paxton’s voice was sharp. “Larissa, that’s enough.”

Larissa didn’t even bother to look at him. “Uncle Paxton, I’m not your daughter. It’s hardly your place to discipline me, is it?”

The title “Uncle Paxton” made the color drain from his face.

Vivica forced a strained smile. “Larissa, your father and I know we were wrong. We want to apologize. Please, don’t be angry with us. Come sit with your brother.”

“Are you deaf, Aunt Vivica?” Larissa retorted without a shred of courtesy.

Leopold finally snapped. “Larissa! They are our parents! Show some respect!”

Larissa let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Done with the act already? Showing your true colors so soon? And you claim you’re sorry? Is this your idea of an apology?”

Just then, Kiernan’s powerful voice boomed through the room. “What is all this shouting?”

Leopold immediately reined in his temper. “Grandpa, we weren’t shouting. I was just concerned that my sister is new to our world and doesn’t yet understand the rules. I was trying to guide her.”

Paxton’s tone was a clear warning. “Think very carefully. We are your biological parents. Everything we have will one day go to you and your brothers. Honora is the adopted one; she can’t change the fact that you’re our real daughter. But with Neville and Sapphira, you’ll be just like her—an outsider, an adopted child living under their roof. This is your last chance.”

“Paxton!” Sapphira exclaimed, her voice trembling with indignation.

“I have never thought of Larissa as just an adopted daughter! From the moment she first called me ‘Mom,’ she became my own child!” She finished, then nervously avoided looking at Larissa, her palms sweating.

She was afraid. Afraid that at the last second, the girl would have a change of heart and choose her birth parents after all.

Neville gently placed his hand over hers. “Sapphira, calm down,” he murmured. “We have to trust Larissa’s choice.”

Ignoring Paxton and Vivica completely, Larissa looked directly at Kiernan. Her voice was unwavering. “I’m certain, Grandpa.”