Chapter 3

Madison lowered her hand and looked at me apologetically, her tone soft as she said, "Sorry, Emma. This was a gift from Mom. Can I keep it? If you like anything else, I can give it to you."

It didn't sound like she was giving it to me. It sounded more like she was granting me charity.

I had no interest in playing along with these pointless theatrics, so I simply sat down and started picking out what I wanted to eat.

Madison sat right beside me. When she saw that I was ignoring her, she merely pressed her lips into a smile and looked at me nervously.

"Emma, you've lived with another family your whole life, so it's understandable that you don't have the kind of upbringing we have here at the Hendrickses. It's just… I didn't expect you to move straight into my room. If you liked it, you could've just told me…"

Her face turned slightly pale, and her eyes suddenly reddened. She continued, "I've known all along that everything in this family belongs to you. That's why I cherished every moment I had…

"Now that you're back, I'll return everything that should've been yours."

Before I could even reply, Susan picked up where Madison left off. "Maddy, there's no need to be so particular about what's yours and what's Emma's.

"Emma, you may have just returned, but you're a Hendricks now. You should know how to be generous and considerate in everything you do. Why make a big deal out of something with Maddy? There are plenty of guest rooms. Why did you have to choose hers?"

Susan spoke with absolute conviction, as if her words were perfectly reasonable. "She's always been in poor health. What if this causes her to develop some lasting health problems?"

The two of them played off each other so naturally that I almost burst out laughing. At last, I set down my utensils.

I tilted my head at Susan and asked, somewhat puzzled, "You've said all that, but weren't you the one who begged me to come back in the first place? Now that I've done what you wanted, why are you upset and making digs at me?

"If you don't want me here, I'll leave. The Hendricks family doesn't mean much to me."

I watched with satisfaction as Susan's expression darkened, then turned to Madison.

"Weren't you the one who kept hinting that I should take your room? I would never point at someone and accuse them of having no manners. So tell me, who exactly is the uncultured one here?

"Or did you think I'd actually want your things?"

With that, I stood up, my expression cold. "I'm done eating. Help yourselves."

Earlier, the butler had looked troubled, but he still led me to Madison's room. The room was bright and in one of the best spots in the house. It didn't look like a guest room at all.

So this was what Madison had been setting up all along.

Since she really wanted me to move in and was so determined to give everything to me, I'd be happy to give her what she wanted.

I had the maids tidy up Madison's room and moved right in.

She was being so sincere about giving it to me. If I refused, wouldn't that just make her look bad?

And then, there was Susan. Even if she wasn't happy about it, she couldn't very well be harsh toward the daughter she'd only just brought back. If word got out, it wouldn't exactly look good for her reputation.

After all, the Hendrickses were known for their charitable work and their image as the perfect family. If outsiders learned the truth, their stock could take a hit, and that was the last thing they wanted.

So when they saw what I'd done, all they could do was keep quiet.

Madison chose another room. She didn't say anything, but her eyes remained red-rimmed the entire time.

When Jude returned, all he saw was me occupying her room and Madison looking utterly wronged.

"Jude, I was the one who wanted to give the room to Emma. It's fine."

Madison coughed lightly, raised her hand to wipe her eyes, and forced a smile.

"Sophie left yesterday without even saying goodbye to me. She may not be a Hendricks by blood, but she's been part of this family for 20 years. Is it just that nobody likes me?"

Jude didn't pick up on the meaning behind her words and comforted her lightly, "Don't think that way. Maybe she just wanted to go back to her biological parents."