The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 47

After playing with Zaria for a while, Ondine prepared to leave for the hospital to spend Christmas with her mother.

Just before she left, Seth called out to her. “Wait.”

“Hmm?” Ondine turned.

He extended a neatly wrapped gift, which clearly contained a sum of cash.. “Merry Christmas. A little gift.”

Ondine quickly waved her hands. “Thank you, Seth, but you don’t have to. I’m an adult now.”

“Adults can still receive gifts,” he said, his tone even.

“Just take it, sweetie,” Zaria said with a grin, shaking a similar gift in her hand. “I’ve been an adult for years, and my brother still gives me a Christmas gift every year. You’re my age and my best friend, so in his eyes, you’re like a sister. It’s perfectly normal. Take it, for good luck.”

Ondine hesitated. Did Seth really see her as a sister?

“Take it,” Seth said again.

“Go on,” Zaria urged, her smile turning mischievous. “It’s a kind gesture from my brother.”

As Ondine wavered, Zaria snatched the gift and stuffed it into the pocket of Ondine’s coat. “There. It’s not like it’s a fortune.”

Feeling she could no longer refuse, Ondine looked up at Seth and offered a sincere, “Thank you.”

…

At the hospital, Ondine and her mother watched holiday specials on the small television in her room, happily ringing in Christmas Day together. After her mother fell asleep, Ondine stayed by her side.

It was a night of mixed fortunes. Chantal’s father was locked in a detention center, unable to come home for Christmas. Chantal and her mother, too distraught to celebrate, made do with a bag of frozen tortellini for dinner.

In the Henson family living room, Chantal’s mother, Yetta Jefferson, was sobbing. “Your father isn’t getting out of this. The company is finished. Chantal, we have to leave.”

“Mom, what are you talking about?” Chantal stared at her in disbelief. “You want to abandon Dad?”

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