When I Flash-Married a Billionaire, My Ex Went on a Hunger Strike novel Chapter 58

Peter had no choice but to offer an explanation. "It belongs to my sister. She’s not home right now. Can you please take it with you?"

"No, we can’t," the firefighter replied flatly.

"If it belongs to someone in your household, it’s your responsibility. You’ll have to sort it out yourselves."

With that, the team packed up and left.

No one in the Matthews family dared go back inside.

They stood around the courtyard, grumbling and cursing in frustration until Theodore finally calmed down enough to think straight.

"Didn’t Eugene lend Adora some money? He must have a way to contact her. Call him now."

"Got it." Ruby immediately called Eugene and asked for Adora’s number.

Eugene, catching the tension in her voice, asked what was going on.

Ruby simply snapped, "My sister has a snake," and hung up.

At that moment, Adora was at the mall with Laura, watching a movie.

When her phone vibrated, she glanced at the screen, one brow arching slightly.

Her new phone didn’t have any of the Matthews family saved in contacts, but after twenty years under the same roof, she had memorized all their numbers.

Why would Ruby be calling her?

Before she could puzzle it out, the answer clicked into place.

Of course.

"Hello…" she whispered, answering the call quietly in the dark theater.

A voice exploded from the other end, loud enough to startle people nearby.

"Adora Matthews, get home right now and get your damn snake out of the house! You nearly scared Mom to death!"

The sheer volume from the phone had heads turning around them.

Adora offered an apologetic smile to those nearby, whispered something to Laura, then ducked out of the theater, crouching low as she left the aisle.

"That’s my new pet," she said calmly once outside.

"It’s in my room. I didn’t realize it was bothering anyone."

Ruby’s voice came back, shrill and panicked. "You’re insane! Who the hell keeps a snake in their bedroom? If you’ve got a death wish, don’t drag us into it!"

That bloodcurdling scream was so loud it made her phone vibrate in her hand.

And it didn’t stop there.

Next came her father and brother creeping into the room, clutching sticks like amateur snake hunters only to bolt in pure terror the moment they spotted it.

Adora burst out laughing.

In all her life, she’d never seen her father hit the floor and crawl away like that.

It was simultaneously sad and amusing.

The footage also showed the fire department arriving.

They entered, took one glance at the snake, and walked right back out.

By the time Adora pulled into the driveway, Lilian and Ruby were still sitting out in the courtyard.

The moment the Maserati rolled in, Lilian stood up, limping slightly, and fixed her with a furious glare.

Adora stepped out of the car, raising her brows in mock concern. "Mom, what happened to your leg?"