Fan Husband 12

Chapter 12 

“Dad, come on. Everyone in Evercrest knows I’m not,” she said 

calmly. 

“So what? We’ve always treated you like you are.” 

Adelaide almost laughed. 

She had to admit that the Pierce family had a real talent for 

putting on a show. 

Finley didn’t push it. Amanda might be his biological daughter, 

but Adelaide was the one he had shaped from the beginning. To 

him, she was worth more than Amanda. 

He took a slow breath. “Look, I get that this isn’t fair to you. But 

Mandy’s been struggling for a while. Her psychiatrist says 

Garrett’s the only thing keeping her steady right now. 

“You’re still his wife. That’s not changing. We just need you to 

let her lean on him for a bit. You two were childhood 

sweethearts. No one can come between a love like that. Once 

she’s stable, I’ll remember this and make sure Garrett gets more 

support moving forward.” 

Adelaide dug her nails into her palm, holding herself together. 

Chapter 12 

She knew this dinner wouldn’t be easy. None of this was a 

surprise. 

Still, for a moment, she almost wavered. 

“They must think that just because I’ve always listened, I’m easy 

to push around,” she thought with spite. 

After a long silence, she finally spoke. “Dad, ever since I was a kid, you told me to be honest, to have principles. You said that as your daughter, I had to protect my name, to never bring shame 

to the family.” 

Finley’s face shifted. He knew where this was going. 

But it was too late. Her next words nearly drained the color 

from his face. 

“And now you want me to let Amanda be with my husband? That’s supposed to be okay? Dad, depression isn’t a free pass.” 

“You!” His voice turned cold. “Is that what Garrett thinks too?” 

It was a slap in the face. Adelaide knew it wasn’t because 

Garrett had already betrayed her. 

“If he’s okay with it, I’ll take back what I said and go along with 

1. it. But I have one condition,” she said. 

Finley’s expression softened as he thought this might make 

Chapter 12 

things simpler. 

“I knew you’d come around. Alright, what’s the condition?” 

“I’ll let Garrett go to Amanda. But in return, I’m cutting ties with 

the Pierce family!” 

He shot up from his seat before she even finished. “Are you 

threatening me?” 

Adelaide didn’t flinch. “I’m negotiating.” 

“You think Garrett won’t lose it when he finds out you’re 

treating him like a bargaining chip?” 

Adelaide gave a half–smile. “Amanda tried to kill herself last 

night, just because Garrett and I got married. If she does it again, are you and Mom ready to deal with that?” 

For the first time, Finley looked at the girl he had raised and 

barely recognized her. 

He had never taught Adelaide to handle things this way. 

He steadied himself and forced a warm smile. “Adele, we’re not 

blood, but I’ve always treated you like my own. I’ve cared for 

you, given you everything.” 

“I’ll never forget that.” 

Chapter 12 

Finley narrowed his eyes, keeping his voice calm. “I know you’ve always felt insecure. Spencer and I have been talking about giving you some shares in the company. I think we can make that happen. And that thing you just said? I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear it. Tomorrow, you’ll sign the transfer 

papers.” 

“Like father, like son. Making decisions for me again,” Adelaide 

thought. 

“Dad, I need a devoted husband.” 

“You’ve always been a good girl. Why are you acting like this 

now?” 

“I’m not a kid anymore.” 

Finley’s eye twitched. Her stubbornness was frustrating, but there was nothing he could do about it. 

Chapter 13 

Chapter 13