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 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