Chapter 14

Lydia, who had been quietly sitting on Emma’s other side, suddenly teared up “Emily, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have told everyone you pushed me down the stairs. I believe you didn’t do it on purpose.

“Mom only sent you to St. Gabriel’s because she was worried about me. If you’re angry, be angry with me-please don’t

blame Mom.”

Then she grabbed Emma’s hand, her face full of stubborn sorrow. “Mom, Emily had eighteen years of being cared for. These two years living on her own must’ve been hard-it’s normal she’d feel some resentment. Please don’t blame her.”

Every word sounded like she was trying to mend the rift between Emma and Emily, but the implication stirred a hint of disgust in Emma’s heart.

Emma thought to herself, I really thought Emily had grown up after these two years. But she’s still holding a grudge against Lydia? It was clearly her fault back then. What right does she have to resent Lydia?”

She glared at Emily, her tone sharp. “Emily, why are you still so petty?”

Emily stared coldly at Lydia’s eyes, shimmering with tears that refused to fall. She wanted to laugh-but couldn’t.

She’d seen this scene too many times since turning eighteen. Lydia didn’t even need to cry for real-just the suggestion of tears was enough to paint Emily as some unforgivable villain and win the sympathy of everyone in the Bennett family.

Emma snapped, “Emily Bennett, apologize to Lydia right now!

Emily looked at her, her eyes so calm they seemed foreign. ‘Mrs. Bennett, my name is Emily Harper.”

Her last name-Harper-had been publicly changed by the Bennetts themselves in front of the press.

Whether it was Emily’s cold tone or that unfamiliar look in her eyes, Emma was momentarily stunned into silence.

Then Emily turned to Lydia, her voice cool and curious. Ms. Bennett, when did I ever say I blamed you or Mrs. Bennett?”

From the very beginning, she had played along with their version of things-she’d promised to stay away from Lydia.

Lydia was thrown off by Emily’s question. She clearly hadn’t expected Emily to ask something like that in such a calm and sincere tone.

She instinctively glanced at Emma-who looked just as stunned-then grew visibly flustered. “I-I misunderstood. You didn’t blame us. It was just me overthinking things. It’s all my fault.”

The tears that had been hanging in her eyes finally fell, making her look pitiful, innocent, and aggrieved. Emma’s heart ached at the sight, and all her doubts vanished instantly.

“Don’t cry, Lydia. This isn’t your fault. It’s Emily’s behavior that’s so easily misunderstood. I know you meant well.” Emma pulled Lydia into a comforting hug, her heart now full of resentment toward Emily.

In her eyes, Lydia was being so kind, yet Emily never gave her the tiniest bit of understanding or grace.

When Emily saw Emma and Lydia wrapped in that warm embrace, she couldn’t help the stabbing pain in her chest. The car suddenly felt stifling and suffocating.

Thankfully, they soon arrived at their destination, and Emily quickly stepped out. She figured that after what had just happened, Lydia and Emma would certainly no longer want her joining their shopping trip.

But to her surprise, Lydia wiped away her tears, got out of the car with a bright smile, and grabbed Emily’s arm again. “Emily, I know a store that sells gorgeous clothes. It’s by appointment only, but I’ll take you there.”

1/2

Without waiting for her response, she dragged Emily toward the mall, as if the tears from earlier had never existed.

Emma followed behind, still speaking in a gentle, heartfelt tone. “Look at how kind Lydia is to you. She’s never held a grudge. Why can’t you treat her like a real sister?”