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45

Author: Moonbunnie
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-07-22 21:45:54

Liam

“What the heck is this?”

I narrowed my eyes at the picture of Cole, smiling for the camera with a sleek, glamorous woman. But that wasn’t what sent a shiver down my spine - it was the frame in the background.

I zoomed in on the picture, trying to get a clearer view of the portrait. The image wasn’t perfectly sharp, but it was enough for me to recognize the woman standing behind Cole, along with several other faces in the frame.

Arlene.

“What’s this?” I muttered, my grip tightening on the device.

I couldn’t remove my eyes away, repeatedly zooming in to confirm what I was seeing. The woman in the frame had the same unmistakable features as Arlene— those piercing blue eyes, her delicate yet striking figure.

But something was off.

She was smiling in the photo, but it wasn’t genuine. Her expression lacked the fiery defiance and courage Arlene always had. Instead, she looked subdued, almost frightened.

I couldn’t believe it. Desperation clawed at me as I combed through Cole’s other pic
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  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   154

    ArleneI had seen way too much to be drawn in by the recent façade. He might not have anything to do with Sarah’s actions, but I would be a complete ignoramus if I let one hospital trip clear the tab of everything he had done.He didn’t have to like me to treat me with human decency, but my experience while living with him would always be a reminder that he considered me beneath him.The image of him I had in my mind was hard to reconcile with this person who stood in front of me, desperately trying to whitewash himself.Perhaps he was after something much more sinister, and only time could reveal that, but right now, I wanted this conversation over and done with so I could have some time alone until the people I wanted to share this experience with came around.“You don’t want to be here when Liam gets here,” I said after a short silence.“Yeah, our exchange at the auction was proof that he can’t stand my guts, so—”“No, it’s proof that both of you have egos that are bigger than the

  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   153

    COLEI stepped into the room cautiously, not sure if she wanted me there or not. It was understandable if the latter was the case—I wouldn’t want to be in the same room with someone whose actions had changed my life tremendously.Especially at a time like this, when she had just gone through something as nerve-racking as childbirth. I shoved my hands into my pockets and looked around nervously.I hated hospitals; every corner I turned and every room I stepped into carried the same aggravating smell of disinfectant and a feeling of despair hanging over my head like Damocles’ sword.Ultimately, being here reminded me of how helpless I was in the face of death, and I didn’t like feeling that way. My gaze settled on the cot next to her, and I swallowed, willing myself to stay in place as everything in me screamed to walk over and look at the babies.I knew I couldn’t do that without an invitation—and I also needed to make peace with the fact that the invitation might never come.When she

  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   152

    ARLENEHe had done me a huge favor by bringing me here. I didn’t want to come off as ungrateful, but in all honesty, I just wanted to enjoy some time alone.He exhaled slowly and took two steps forward, lifting his head to meet my gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t call Liam. I didn’t think I was the best person to tell him something like this,” he began, and I shrugged.“You’re right, and I get it. It’d feel weird to talk about something of this magnitude with him,” I replied. “Telling Olivia and Matilda first was a good move.”“Yes. I, um… waited outside while the nurses…” he trailed off and looked at the babies, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips. “I know you don’t want me here, and I’ll be out of your hair in a minute. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, that’s all,” he added, taking his hands out of his pockets

  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   151

    ARLENE“He’s here,” he replied and pointed as a car engine revved in the distance.“Thank goodness,” I said and started walking toward the sound. Cole followed closely, watching me intently.“Do you… I don’t know, do you want me to carry you so it’s easier?” he asked in a panicked tone as he matched my pace.I started to say something, then stopped for a quick second to glance at him and scoffed. “Don’t touch me, Cole. It’s terrible enough that you’re the only help I can get right now.”“Well, how can I help?” he asked, maintaining his worried tone as the car got closer and the driver got out to open the door.“You’re getting me to the hospital. You’ve done more than enough,” I answered and got in just as the next contraction hit me.He sprinted to the passenger seat and got in as quickly as possible. “Get her there as fast as you can,” he said and glanced at me as I let out a grunt and swiped my forehead, which had become sweaty.The driver pressed the accelerator, and the car sped t

  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   150

    ARLENEI thought about how different things would be if, by some twisted stroke of luck, Daisy had been the victim of circumstances like these.The world around me faded into the distance as I swayed slowly, clinging to the thoughts that plagued my mind.It made no sense to dwell on situations that couldn’t be changed, but for a split second, I wished my mom were here, or that there was at least someone willing to fight ruthlessly for me.I had a support system, and I didn’t take it for granted. They were doing the best they could, but like me, they were focused more on the positive side of things.In this moment, it felt like if we were all as vicious as those on the other side of the fence, things would be a lot different. I couldn’t wrap my head around how much vileness Sarah, Mirela, Cole, and everyone else who had been instrumental in this entire ordeal had unleashed.Despite who Mirela was to me, I knew that if Sarah had picked the wrong target for her machinations, she would’ve

  • The Lost Heiress's Glorious Return   149

    ARLENEThe wind blew strands of my hair against my cheeks as I closed the door behind me. The silence outside was a comforting contrast to the turmoil brewing inside my soul.The victory of the auction seemed like a distant memory now, something that should have been the highlight of my day had turned into an afterthought. All I could think about was Sarah’s involvement in changing the course of my life.There were so many angles to focus on, but what I couldn’t get out of my mind was what would’ve happened if she hadn’t interfered with the progression of events as they unfolded.Would I still be with Cole, loathing each day until I found my way out of a union that was clearly the weapon fashioned against me? Or would things be different?As much as it didn’t make things any better to keep thinking about what could have been, I couldn’t help myself.I knew Sarah abhorred my existence, but what I had underestimated was just how much she despised me. Going to such lengths was the peak o

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