Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 657

“Yes, I know.” Claire’s voice was sharp, practically seething as she stared Shelly down. “Believe me, I know exactly what happened.”

She turned to Julian then, stepping closer, gripping his sleeve like she was afraid he’d slip away. “Julian, you didn’t believe me before, did you? You kept saying you wanted the truth. Fine, I’ll tell you everything. Everything that happened that day.”

Claire’s words tumbled out in a rush. “It was her. Shelly killed your father. Dad was supposed to take me to school. Then that woman messaged him. He called her, then suddenly changed his plans and headed for the airport. On the way, the car lost control and crashed into another vehicle. There was this huge boom. The car flipped, caught fire, and exploded. My father was burned alive in there.”

Madeline listened, frowning.

The car lost control? Why would that happen out of nowhere?

“If Shelly hadn’t messaged him, hadn’t made him call, he wouldn't have gone to the airport at all. He would have dropped me at school, gone to work, and come home just like always. Our family would still be together. He would’ve never been trapped in that car, blown apart. If it wasn’t for Shelly, Grandpa wouldn’t have lost his son, Mom wouldn’t have lost her husband, and you, Julian, you wouldn’t have lost your dad. Everything, everything is Shelly’s fault. She destroyed the Graysons. She’s the reason we’re all in pain. It was her.”

Claire’s voice was louder now, like she needed the entire room to hear.

Madeline could feel Julian's hand squeezing hers, holding on just a bit tighter.

Claire glared at Shelly, her voice trembling with accusation. “Shelly, everything I’ve said, do you admit it or not? I’m asking, do you admit it?”

Shelly didn’t move at first. She lowered her eyes, then lifted her chin, her voice steady as she answered, “I admit it.”

Claire let out a harsh laugh, almost wild. “Hear that, Julian? Did you hear her? She admitted it. All of it. It’s her fault. Everything!”

A collective gasp rippled through the guests. They’d all heard about Brian’s tragic car accident years ago—how the car exploded and the news was everywhere. Nobody had ever heard this part of the story.

Brian wasn’t the only one who died that day. The other driver was killed too. It had been a huge deal back then, but everyone just thought it was a terrible accident.

“If Claire is telling the truth, at least it sounds like she loved her adoptive father,” someone nearby whispered. “It makes sense she’d want justice for him.”

“I agree. She was just a kid, watching the only father she’d ever known die…it’s not crazy for her to hate the person responsible.”

“But wasn’t Shelly just sending a message? Mr. Grayson made his own decision to go. You can’t put all the blame on her.”

“Isn’t anyone else curious about why Mr. Grayson would drop everything for one message from Shelly?” someone else asked.

“Do you think…maybe they had something going on?” another voice offered, more daring.

The room buzzed with gossip, everyone tossing theories back and forth.

Ray had just returned, walking in with Jane and their daughter Alianna. The moment they entered, they could feel the tension—the conversations all circling around Shelly and Brian.

Jane caught Alianna's eye and gave her a tiny nod. Alianna quickly looped her arm through her father’s. “Dad, what’s going on with Shelly? People keep talking about her and Mr. Grayson… What’s the real story?”

Ray’s face was tight, his brows drawn together in a deep frown.

“Dad? Why are you ignoring me?” Alianna asked, faking a pout.

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