[3]

Victor sat calmly in the back seat, as though the conversation that had just taken place between him and Tara had been nothing significant. But for Tara, it had taken immense courage, along with the sacrifice of her pride, to say those words aloud.

For a long moment, she watched him through the rearview mirror, studying the way he remained so composed. His eyes were closed, as if he were simply enjoying the drive toward the luxury apartment in the city center.

In the end, Tara was the one who broke the silence between them.

“Are you sure I should keep your return a secret?”

She asked the question again, and not without reason. Although Victor and Adrian seemed distant in their personal relationship, they were deeply tied when it came to business. There were many matters Adrian had to discuss with Victor before implementing any new policy at Ashbourne Corp. More than once, that arrangement had frustrated Adrian, who often felt Victor was standing in the way of several of his decisions.

“What do you think?” Victor asked with a faint smile.

There was nothing Tara could do except nod in agreement.

“If that is your order, then I’ll do it,” she said quietly. “And I’ll prepare everything you requested right away.”

“Good.”

That was all Victor said.

When they arrived at the lobby, a man in a black suit was already waiting to receive them. But before Victor fully stepped out of the car, he spoke once more.

“Drive carefully, Tara. Don’t let yourself become careless if you want to stand at the very top.”

His words left her momentarily still. Even after Victor and his assistant disappeared into the apartment lobby, Tara remained there, quietly replaying their conversation in her mind.

Then her phone rang, breaking through her thoughts.

My Love.

The name lit up on the screen. If she hadn’t learned everything she had today, Tara might have answered with warmth and eagerness, asking what Adrian needed and doing her best to make him happy.

“Yes?” Tara replied flatly.

“Where are you?” Adrian asked, his tone edged with impatience. “Liora needs you. Hurry back.”

Tara shut her eyes tightly.

Liora.

Right. The adopted child Adrian had suggested to comfort Tara after being told about her fertility issues. A sudden thread of doubt slipped into her mind. Could it be...?

“Yes. I’ll be home in thirty minutes,” Tara said, then ended the call immediately. Her grip tightened around the phone. She forced the dark thought aside and instructed the driver to take her back home.

Not long after, she arrived.

“What happened to you?” Adrian asked, stopping short the moment he saw the bandage wrapped around her temple. Genuine surprise crossed his face. “Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

Tara gave him a faint smile. “I was afraid of disturbing you. Weren’t you... busy?”

Her eyes fixed on Adrian sharply. The look made him frown, confused and faintly unsettled. Tara’s demeanor felt different tonight. What had happened to her?

“Of course not. You could have ca—”

“Where’s Liora?” Tara cut in, stepping past him into the Ashbourne residence, the house she had considered home for the past five years. She had truly believed she belonged here, as though this place were hers too.

“You’re not going to tell me what happened to you?” Adrian asked, stopping her in her tracks.

“I slipped.”

In truth, Tara was somewhat surprised by his reaction. Usually, Adrian only asked about her well-being out of courtesy. But this time, the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.

“You don’t need to worry,” Tara said, continuing forward.

There was a time when walking through those doors always filled her with quiet pride. Now, her stomach churned. Something bitter rose in her throat, making her want to vomit everything up, including the sudden concern Adrian was showing her.

He watched her for a few seconds longer than usual. His brows drew together slightly, as if trying to read something he couldn’t quite understand.

“Are you sure?” he asked again. “You look... pale.”

Tara kept smiling. “Maybe I do. It’s only natural. I almost went through something serious.”

“Something serious?” Adrian frowned deeply. “Be more careful next time,” he said firmly. “You still have to meet with representatives from Ceso Group tomorrow. Don’t embarrass me.”

Tara’s jaw tightened.

Of course.

Her role in Adrian’s life was simple. She was the face of Ashbourne. When delicate negotiations needed charm and trust, Tara handled them. After that, Adrian only had to enjoy the smooth road she had already cleared for him.

“Don’t worry,” Tara said, holding his gaze. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Adrian smiled broadly. “That’s my wife.”

He moved to slip an arm around her, but Tara instinctively stepped away. The motion made Adrian frown.

“Why?”

“Ah, nothing.” Tara forced herself to appear normal, though inside she felt disgusted and furious beyond words. How could Adrian play his role so perfectly? That very morning he had been making love to her twin sister in the study of this house, and now he stood here acting sweet and attentive in front of Tara, as if nothing had happened.

The worst part was that Tara had only begun uncovering his lies piece by piece. And she intended to dig until she found every last root of them.

“If something’s bothering you, you can tell me,” Adrian said. “Or... are you angry with me?”

The question slipped out instinctively, as though it were the only explanation he could think of for the subtle change he sensed in her.

Tara looked at him in mild surprise, then slowly shook her head. “Angry?” she repeated softly. “Why would I be angry?”

Since Adrian was still watching her with visible confusion, Tara spoke again to erase whatever doubts remained in his mind. “It’s nothing,” she said lightly. “I’m just tired. That’s all.”

At last, Adrian nodded, though a trace of puzzlement still lingered on his face. He followed Tara as she walked farther into the house. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, your sister stopped by. She said she missed Liora.”

Of course Kara was here.

“Oh really? Since when?” Tara asked, forcing a cheerful tone. Normally, she would have been happy about Kara’s visit. She had always believed Kara was the only true sister she had.

Never once had Tara imagined that the person closest to her would be the one to betray her so completely.

“About an hour ago,” Adrian replied.

Liar, Tara cursed inwardly.

They walked together toward the living room, and then she heard it. The bright laughter of a child mixed with the soft, melodic voice of a woman.

Liora Ashbourne, the five-year-old girl they had adopted not long after their marriage, was sitting on the family room carpet surrounded by toys. Her little face was glowing, her small body half leaning against the figure seated beside her.

Kara Evangeline.

The woman laughed softly, her fingers slipping through Liora’s hair with effortless familiarity, as though that place beside the child had belonged to her from the very beginning.

“Ah, you’re home?” Kara turned, her smile widening the moment she saw them. “I just stopped by for a little while. I missed Liora.”

Then Kara’s eyes widened in shock when she noticed Tara. “What happened to you, my sweet little sister?”

She hurried closer, reaching out to touch the wound on Tara’s temple, but Tara slapped her hand away sharply.

“I’m sorry,” Tara said at once. “I...”

It wasn’t only Tara who was startled. Kara was too. Tara had never rejected her concern before.

“I’m fine, Kara. I just slipped,” Tara said, trying to sound calm.

“Oh my God,” Kara said sympathetically. “Be more careful next time, Tara.”

The words sounded normal enough, but now, to Tara, that concern felt utterly disgusting.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

Meanwhile, Liora immediately turned toward Adrian, then scrambled to her feet and ran to him. “Daddy!” she cried happily.

Adrian bent down and lifted her with ease. A faint smile appeared on his face as he kissed his daughter’s cheeks several times. “Was Daddy’s girl good today?” he asked.

“Yes!” Liora answered brightly, then glanced toward Kara as though looking for confirmation.

Kara smiled proudly. “She was very sweet today. Don’t worry, Adrian.”

Tara stood there in silence, quietly watching their interaction. This time she watched more closely than ever, and it only reinforced the impossible thought forming in her mind.

But after seeing all this closeness, why did it seem impossible at all? Everything looked painfully clear now. She had been so stupid. Kara’s words that morning were right. How had she been fooled so easily? Even something this obvious had escaped her notice.

“Liora,” Kara called gently, patting the child lightly on the shoulder. “Come say hello to your mother.”

Your mother.

Tara almost wanted to burst into laughter until it turned into tears.

Liora turned toward Tara. The warmth in her little eyes was nothing like the look she had just given Kara. She frowned, then quickly shook her head. “I don’t want to,” she said.

The room fell into an awkward silence. Normally, at a moment like this, Tara would walk over, kneel down, coax her patiently, and stroke the top of Liora’s head with gentle affection. But this time, she only stood there, perfectly still.

“Why?” Kara asked, her tone still soft.

“Because Mommy is mean,” Liora answered without hesitation. “She never lets me eat a lot of candy. Too many rules.”

Usually, Tara would have corrected her, explained what was best for Liora, or tried to smooth things over. But not today. Not after everything she had heard. And not after learning who was truly standing in front of her.

Tara was one hundred percent certain now. Liora was Kara and Adrian’s child. At this moment, she found herself studying the little girl’s features more carefully than ever. The resemblance to her real parents was undeniable. Liora was the perfect blend of Adrian and Kara.

Tara drew in a slow breath, then offered a faint smile. “It’s alright,” she said calmly.

Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.

Tara looked at Liora for a moment, not with anger and not with disappointment. Her gaze was flat, empty of expression. Then she said softly, “Do whatever you want, Liora.”

She stepped closer and gently stroked the top of the girl’s head. “I’ll never forbid you again.”

She paused for a moment before turning to head toward her room. Her eyes shifted briefly to Kara. For the first time, her words carried deliberate weight.

“After all... you have your mother, don’t you?”