Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 376

Chapter 376: Ch 376: The Awkward Dinner
Dinner at the Goodwill family mansion was always sober and quiet. Emily had always felt suffocated when she came here.

But she had never let it overwhelm her because Rika had been there for her to focus on.

With Rika gone, Emily had no desire to make this dinner as comfortable as possible. All she wanted to do was eat and get out of here.

But everyone else had a different opinion about her wants, and they kept bringing out more and more food.

Emily could not possibly eat all this, but she could tell that she was only being treated like this because these people wanted to hold her back, a feeling of frustration and helplessness creeping over her.

They wanted something from her, and they wanted it badly.

“So, Emily, how is your investigation going? Did you find any traces of Rika? Any idea when you will be able to bring her back?”

Natasha Goodwill asked this, her voice carrying the weight of the family’s expectations, only for Suzie to scoff from the other end of the table, adding to the palpable tension and conflict in the air.

The whole family ignored Suzie, causing the younger to pout even harder before storming off. Suzie was being a bitch, but this was nothing new for her.

What surprised Emily was Suzie’s lack of sticky nature. The younger had not tried to make a move on her even once. That could mean that Emily was planning something big or had matured.

Somehow, Emily could not see the second part happening, so she was willing to bet it was the first one.

“Darling, I will go and talk to Suzie. She looks upset at what happened, and I-”

“Leave her be! We spoilt her and see what it resulted in? We need to keep a tighter hold on Suzie, or she will make a huge mistake in the future.”

Natasha assured her husband before he could go after Suzie.

The alpha of this family finally seemed to be taking Suzie and the threat she possessed seriously. It surprised Emily, but she did not say a thing about it. She was not interested in this family drama after all.

“I-I see! You do have a point, my dear! I guess I got a little ahead of myself there and decided to let my mind wander. I will be more careful next time.”

Even though the only omega left at the table said that the worry was visible on his face when he looked in the direction Suzie left. He clearly wanted to head out after her and comfort her.

Natasha Goodwill ignored her husband and turned toward Emily instead. The interrogation was finally starting.

“Emily, I know it is uncomfortable for you to answer my question, but tell me! Did you find anything about Rika and her whereabouts? Anything will do! I just want to know if my daughter is safe or not?”

Natasha asked in a tired voice. She looked like she had not slept in days, but that did not make Emily feel sympathy for her or her family.

“I am afraid I cannot tell you anything about Rika and what we learned about her. If you are done interrogating me, I would like to leave. I only decided to attend because you are Rika’s family. I have no desire to maintain this relationship without her.”

Emily assured the older female, and she expected Natasha to speak up and defend this bond.

But the older woman did not do anything of that sort.

Instead of forcing Emily to answer her question and make matters worse, Natasha backed down and sat on the chair.

“Of course, you don’t want to tell me. Even I would not want to tell me what happened to Emily after all the neglect I put her through. But please! Can’t you at least tell me a little about it. Just enough so that this guilt and anger will not consume me?”

Natasha asked before she collapsed against the table.

Emily could feel how hard the older alpha was taking all this. It made Emily feel a little bit of sympathy for the alpha.

She was about to speak up when the only omega in the room spoke up.

“This is all my fault. I never tried to accept Rika, even though it is the family omega’s job to ensure that all kids feel part of the family. I could just…never come to accept Rika since she did not come from my womb!

If you want to blame someone, then blame me! There is no need to torture my mate and son like this.”

Emily looked at the guilty omega and could tell this man believed what he said.

But unlike everyone else, he was not making excuses or asking for punishment. He had accepted his nature and had decided to back off.

This was exactly what Emily wanted from her family – to back off and not butt in her life.

“Rika will be fine. Damian flew out to get her. He will be back with her soon. But once she is back, I want you people to never contact her again. Concentrate on the children you have left with you first.”

Emily hated to help Suzie Goodwill, but she could tell that the omega was not in a good space right now.

If she diverted this family’s attention toward their youngest, Rika, she would indeed be spared all the awkward heartbreak she was sure to go through.

Emily did not expect Goodwill to take her advice, but she was surprised when Natasha Goodwill stood up and gave Emily a small nod. She was telling Emily that she would listen to her this time.

“If… no, when you find Rika, please bring her back safely and allow us to see her once. If you do, we will back off and never contact her again. If we are only going to cause Rika pain, then it will be better if we never meet her again and ruin her life.”