Chapter 1

The banquet hall instantly fell silent after I, Sylvia Holmes, finished speaking.

The relatives who had been chatting just moments ago immediately lowered their heads and busied themselves with their drinks.

The smile on Adeline Holmes' face—my supposed sister—froze. "I was just joking, Sylvia," she said.

"Which part of the joke was supposed to be funny?" I asked.

"That's not what I meant…"

"Then what exactly were you trying to say?"

Adeline stared at me for a few seconds as her eyes gradually reddened.

My eldest brother, Lucian Holmes, came over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Today's supposed to be a happy occasion, Sylvia. Don't get hung up on every little word," he said.

"I'm not," I replied. I pointed at the place card on the table before continuing, "My seat was right next to Mom's. Adeline moved my place card, took my seat, and then asked if I minded.

"None of you see a problem with that?"

A frown crossed Lucian's face. "It's just a seat. What difference does it make where you sit?"

"Then why can't she sit somewhere else?"

"She's just used to sitting between Mom and Dad," he explained.

"Just because she's used to it, does that give her the right to take something that belongs to someone else?" I asked.

My question left Lucian speechless. Mom finally reached out and took my hand.

"Adeline's been sitting with us ever since she was little. She didn't mean any harm."

"I never said she did. I'm just asking when she plans to get up," I replied.

Mom's grip on my hand tightened as Adeline immediately got to her feet. "I'll move now. No matter what, Sylvia's your biological daughter. I shouldn't have been sitting here in the first place."

Her eyes were red as she pushed the chair back. The chair legs scraped against the floor with a harsh, grating sound.

She'd barely taken two steps when Mom hurried after her and caught her by the arm. "That's not what I meant. You're not feeling well, so don't get yourself worked up over this," Mom said.

My second-eldest brother, Nathan Holmes, immediately stepped in front of Adeline, while my third-eldest brother, Marcus Holmes, shot me a glare. "Are you satisfied now?" he snapped.

I looked at them before replying, "She's the one who took my seat. All I did was ask when she was going to give it back. How did that turn into me bullying her?"

Marcus' expression instantly darkened at my words. "You know perfectly well that Adeline's greatest fear is being kicked out of the family, yet you still had to rub it in that she isn't related to us."

"She's the one who brought it up. Those were her words, not mine. Why am I being accused of upsetting her over something she said?" I questioned.

Marcus opened his mouth to retort, only to find himself at a loss for words.

Just then, Adeline clutched her chest as her breathing quickened.

"I'm sorry, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have come to Sylvia's homecoming banquet. You're the real family here. I'll leave," she choked out.

With that, she turned and ran from the hall.

Mom and all three of my brothers immediately rushed after her.

Dad remained in the seat of honor, his expression grim. "It's been three years since you've been back. Why can't you get along with everyone?"

I looked at the four empty chairs before me. "This is supposed to be my homecoming banquet, right?"

"Of course," he replied.

"Then why did they all leave?"

He rubbed his temples at my question. "Adeline isn't feeling well."

"Nathan's a doctor. He could've handled it on his own," I pointed out matter-of-factly.

"Your mother's worried about her too."

"What about Lucian and Marcus?" I asked.

Dad didn't answer. I waited for a moment before continuing, "Your biological daughter gets into an argument with your adopted daughter at her own homecoming banquet, yet the entire family runs after Adeline.

"So, who exactly are you welcoming home today?"

Dad slammed his hand down on the table. "That's enough!" he snapped.

I nodded. "Alright."

He froze for a moment.

For the first time in the three years since I'd returned to the Holmes family, I stopped pressing for answers.