Chapter 2

Jude told me that Sophie had never been close to the family and that she even spoke harshly to Madison Hendricks, her only younger sister. Thus, her departure hadn't affected the family much either.

He added that since I had returned to the Hendricks family, he hoped we could all get along.

When I thought back to what I heard Sophie just say, I suddenly had a strange feeling. Maybe the way Susan Bishop and Michael Hendricks had acted yesterday had all been an act.

I lowered my head, lost in thought.

Seeing that I didn't respond, Jude surprisingly softened his tone and said, "Emma, I know you might not be used to this life yet. However, please understand that everything you'll have with the Hendrickses from now on is simply the everyday life you missed out on before.

"Now that you're coming home, I'll hold nothing back when it comes to resources for you."

Jude took over the Hendrickses' enterprise several years ago, and under his leadership, it was thriving. If I had his support, settling into life in Bellburg would definitely be easier.

With that thought, I smiled and gave him the most heartfelt response I'd offered all day. "Thank you, Jude."

To make up for the 20 years I'd lost after being switched at birth, Jude personally picked out gifts for me, even buying me a ton of clothes and handbags.

Although I had no interest in these things, I didn't refuse him.

When we returned to the villa, Jude had people bring the things inside before heading to Michael's study.

After sitting in the car for so long and then making a trip to the mall, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tired. So, I went straight upstairs and had the butler show me to the room that had just been prepared for me.

Everything here belonged to the Hendrickses anyway. It wasn't a big deal to stay in one of their rooms.

By the time I woke up, three hours had passed. After I had just pushed open the door, I could hear voices downstairs discussing something. Suddenly, I heard someone say, "Since Emma has returned, it's time I gave her back the things I've held onto for so long."

The person wasn't speaking loudly, but there was a noticeable weakness in their voice. They coughed several times after as well.

Sophie had already left the house and returned to her own family, which meant the person speaking now had to be my sickly younger sister, Madison.

But beneath every word, there was a sense that she was exercising self-control while also showing me immense generosity.

Her answer immediately drew Susan's displeasure.

"What's there to give back? Even though she's a daughter of the Hendricks family, she spent 20 years living away from us. She's practically a stranger.

"And if she ends up being just like Sophie—an ungrateful brat—then the one who'll suffer in the end is our Maddy."

I didn't react. I simply walked down the stairs one step at a time.

As if they'd heard me coming, the conversation downstairs fell silent for a moment before picking up again.

By the time I appeared, the dining table was already filled with food. Susan greeted me with a bubbly tone and quickly took my hand.

"Emma, you must be hungry, right? Come, I cooked all this myself. Help yourself!"

Standing nearby was a girl around my age. She was dressed simply, with the only notable thing being the gold locket she wore.

When she saw my gaze fall on her neck, her eyes flickered, and she immediately reached to take it off.

"Emma, if you like it, you can have it. This is a necklace Mom got specifically at a church. I'm sure it'll bring you peace and safety."

I thought for a moment before recalling the name of the person standing before me—Madison Hendricks. She seemed to have grown up surrounded by love in the Hendricks family, too.

Though she wasn't the most subtle when it came to her methods.

I watched her with amusement, making no move to refuse. In fact, I was almost looking forward to it.

But before Madison's hand could even reach her neck, Susan grabbed her wrist. Her attitude toward me seemed to shift as well, as she said, "Emma, if you want one, I'll give you another.

"Maddy has had this necklace for so long. She's grown attached to it."