Falling for My Contractual Wife

"So, am I just supposed to sit here doing nothing?"

"Of course not!" Shannon chimed in. "Forget about battling for Brian. He's just one guy, right? Plenty of fish in the sea! What you gotta focus on now is making your dad see you in a better light! If you keep stirring up trouble like you used to, even if Louise gives you a hard time one day, Dad might think you had it coming! You get me?"

Ava nodded. "Yeah, got it."

"And listen, as long as Louise messes up, she's not untouchable. You gotta have something on her. Even if you can't lay a finger on her later, she won't dare lay a finger on you if you got dirt on her!"

Ava thought Shannon made sense. Ava knew she had been too rash today. She badmouthed Louise in front of Brian, but he didn't buy it at all.

Later that afternoon, when Marshall got back from work, he found his ladies sitting around looking a bit off.

He approached. "What's up?"

Shannon stood, helping him with his coat. "The weather's been acting up, and Ava's sick."

"Oh?" Marshall peered at Ava with concern. "You feeling okay? Should we head to the doctor's?"Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Ava shook her head, speaking up obediently. "Dad, I'm okay. But I need to talk to you."

His daughter rarely played it so straight. Marshall sat beside her. "Shoot. What's on your mind?"

"I wanna join the company, work hard, and learn the ropes of running things."

Marshall looked surprised.

Shannon's heart raced when Marshall stayed quiet. 'Is he thinking Louise should take over the Adkins Group?' Shannon wondered.

Shannon hurried, asking, "What's the holdup? Ava wants to learn the business, and you're saying no?"

Marshall chuckled suddenly. "No way! I'd be thrilled! My daughter getting into the family business? Couldn't ask for more."

Shannon breathed easier. It looked like she was overthinking. Marshall still loved Ava.

"Ava, you're growing up. When did you get so level-headed?"

Shannon sighed on purpose. "Since Louise came back, you've been all eyes and ears for her, almost forgetting you had a daughter. Sure, Ava might not be as sharp as Louise, but you've watched her grow, seen her innocence!" Shannon emphasized the last bit, hoping he'd catch the drift. 'Some folks you don't see grow up, hard to tell what they're made of, Shannon thought.

But Marshall didn't dwell on it. He smiled. "Yeah, my bad. I've been busy lately and forgot to check in on you. Louise is my daughter, but Ava's my baby, too."

Just then, a familiar face strolled in.

It was Louise.

Ava's brows knit automatically. 'What's she doing back? Wasn't she cozy at the Francis' home?' Ava thought. Seeing Louise now just irked Ava.

Seeing the happy family of three, Louise felt like she didn't belong.

Marshall, spotting Louise's return, called her over.