"Melody, you can’t say that. We all care for Alessandra. It is wrong of you to accuse us of using her and not caring now. All I am saying now is that we must think of our mother’s feelings," Claire said.
"I have thought about her feelings and everyone else involved. We are not going to sit here and pretend that we aren’t better off after finding out our sister was a duchess. You got into circles, which led you to meet your husband. And you," Melody said, turning to Luke.
"What about me? She is not my sister. I have never once gone to the duke or duchess to ask for anything, so don’t point your finger at me," said Luke.
"You are sadly wrong if you think the duchess and duke are not aware of how you used the Collins name. Word got back to the duke, but it is the woman you now claim isn’t your sister who protected you. I suggest you stop," Melody advised Luke.
Melody knew her brother was a good person, but he was getting ahead of himself with how much he mentioned Edgar and Alessandra.
"I have not done anything wrong. Isn’t it true that my sisters are related to the Duchess, and Duke Edgar is her husband? If Alessandra didn’t like that I made mention of her name, then there are other issues this family must address," said Luke.
Luke could think of a few things wrong with his mother’s side of the family, but he had kept them to himself to keep the peace.
"Since we are being honest and not going around in circles, let us address the matter of the mines. Imagine my surprise years ago to learn that my mother not only comes from a family that owns mines, but even more surprising that Alessandra controls what is sent here," Luke said, annoyed by this fact.
Luke thought it was only fair that his mother be the one to receive what came from the mines and then share it out to her daughters. If this happened, Luke was certain Melanie would be loving and give him a few jewels.
Melody laughed. "It shouldn’t matter to anyone here who controls what is sent to us. Alessandra has sent us plenty."
"And saves plenty for her children. Anyone would hold back more for their children, but it is unfair in this situation. Alessandra’s children are well off with the money they have from their parents. More should be given to our children," Luke argued.
"Our children? It is only Claire’s children who receive a portion of the jewels, and as you said, she is not your sister, so why should anything be sent to you? Let us think for a moment here why Alessandra is in charge of what we receive," Melody said, stopping to give her family a chance to think.
The Cromwells, who were Melanie’s family, had once lost touch with Melanie and weren’t allowed to see Alessandra. Alessandra was the one who got close to her grandparents and other relatives, while Melanie didn’t want to face her family.
"I also do not think it is fair," Claire said, backing up her brother. It was a topic that even her husband brought up.
Claire and her husband, who worked as a doctor, would have less to worry about if they had a little bit more money. Alessandra was already sitting on plenty of wealth, and since Penelope married a prince, less of what came from the mines should be given to the Collinses.
"Mother is still alive and well; therefore, she should be the one to divide what comes from the mines. I trust that mother would share it equally. I don’t understand why they skipped her and went to Alessandra," Claire said, just as puzzled as her brother.
Melody laughed at Claire’s way of ignoring the obvious.
Claire frowned. She hated it when Melody laughed at her.
Melody was praised as the smart one, so Melody’s laughter only rubbed it in for Claire.
Claire thought it was kind of her that she didn’t gloat about how she found a husband before her older sister.
"Do not laugh," Claire said, her frustrations evident in her tone.
"I had to laugh since you questioned why our grandparents, who did not receive word from our mother until she was pulled back to Lockwood, decided to trust Alessandra more. Since our dear mother doesn’t see Alessandra as her daughter, I cannot trust that she would have shared the money equally," said Melody.
Melody was confident that Luke would have received a share or far more than Alessandra would have gotten. That is, if Melanie had been so kind as to include Alessandra.
"Luke, you are not blood-related to the Cromwells; therefore, you should not expect anything. Claire and I have been so kind to give you some of our share. Luckily, you’ve used the Collins name to help you all these years," Melody pointed out.
"I see the side you have chosen to stand on," Melanie said, disappointed with Melody.
"I am not choosing sides. I love all of you, but I can’t stand around you when you act this way. Since you are all tired of going around in circles, I will inform Alessandra that she should stop allowing you to use her name," Melody said, gaining more of her siblings’ hatred.
"Melody!" Luke yelled. He stood up since Melody had angered him too much to remain seated.
"Sit down," Lewis spoke up. He listened carefully to all that was said, and it shattered his heart that this family hadn’t gotten anywhere.
It wasn’t only Melanie who needed to be spoken to, but his children as well.
"You don’t visit the Cromwells and you don’t speak of them unless it concerns money," Lewis said, standing up as he spoke. "Not only has your mother sadly failed you, but I also failed you," he acknowledged.
"Thank you," Lewis said to Melody. "I don’t want to be disturbed," he said, then left the table.
"Lewis!" Melanie called after her husband as she ran after him.
"Wonderful!" Luke said, clapping for Melody. "You’ve added more drama for this family. Are you happy now that their marriage is going to change? I know Alessandra got you a good start as a governess, but you shouldn’t forget the siblings you had first."
"I haven’t forgotten," Melody replied, deciding it was time to leave. "I’m disappointed since I thought we all agreed that as siblings we would stand together. Then again, Alessandra isn’t your sister, right? I will excuse myself."