Chapter 5

Everyone said Connor was a stubborn man with emotional issues who, once he committed to someone, would never have a change of heart. Despite their warning, I foolishly insisted on this heartbreak. Worse, I dragged Daisy into it and gave her a father who didn't love her.

"I'm sorry, Daisy. Mommy made the wrong choice."

Daisy didn't understand why I was apologizing. She just gently wiped away my tears and said, "Mommy, don't cry."

As Daisy and I huddled together for comfort, Faye suddenly appeared with Hazel. She snapped, "Daisy, how dare you win first place? You obviously copied Hazel's work!"

Neither Daisy nor I understood what was happening. Behind Faye were judges and curious onlookers.

The spectators scrutinized Daisy. "Ms. Snyder is the famous international mystery artist AH. If she says Daisy copied, then Daisy definitely copied."

Daisy and I froze, completely lost on what she was talking about.

Behind Faye came several judges and a small crowd of onlookers, eager to see the drama unfold. Whispers started immediately, with someone saying, "Ms. Snyder is AH—the famous international mystery artist. If she says Daisy copied, then it must be true."

Another chimed in, "Hazel is AH's daughter. There's no way she'd lose to some unknown girl like Daisy unless Daisy stole her idea!"

The mystery artist AH was actually me. Somehow, they believed AH was Faye. The smug look on her face told me everything—I knew then she had stolen my identity.

Faye pointed at Daisy and demanded, "As long as you apologize to Hazel in front of everyone, we'll let it go."

I saw right through her. This wasn't about art—she just wanted to publicly embarrass Daisy. Even if Daisy proved her innocence, people would still whisper and judge, just like they had when she cried in the grocery store at three years old.

I acted quickly, covering Daisy's ears and challenging Faye. "What evidence do you have that Daisy copied?"

Faye placed Daisy's winning piece next to Hazel's second-place work for comparison. "Look at these lines and details—what else could this be but plagiarism?"

Several judges nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Reeves is right. The two paintings are indeed very similar."

I was shocked to hear them calling her Mrs. Reeves. It was no wonder Faye could convince so many judges—she presented herself as Connor's wife.

I was about to explain when Connor approached. He asked, "What's going on?"

Before I could speak, Faye had already launched into her performance, holding both paintings in hand and slipping into her delicate act. "Connor, I'm really not trying to cause trouble… It's just that the evidence is right here."

She continued, "Although I believe Daisy didn't have bad intentions and was just manipulated by someone, plagiarism needs to be stopped early. She's still a child. What if someone's already leading her down the wrong path?"

Faye never mentioned my name but constantly implied I had corrupted Daisy. I desperately argued, "Connor, how could I possibly do something like that?"

Connor rubbed his forehead, looking at me with disappointment. "Averie, can you stop targeting Faye? Look what you've turned Daisy into!"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Daisy pleaded urgently, "Daddy, I didn't copy anyone. Don't you believe me?"

Connor turned to Daisy and sighed. "Daisy, apologize to Hazel."

It was such a simple sentence. But in that moment, something shattered inside Daisy. I watched the light in her eyes go out completely.

I knew then that Connor's last chance was gone.