جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

When Mom and Dad were sure that I really had no intention of making a fuss anymore, they stopped paying attention to me and hurried off with Suzanne to the living room to give the Klein family the good news.They didn't even care how awful I still felt. I stayed there coughing for what felt like forever, but no one even bothered to check on me.After getting to my feet with the help of the wall, I made my way unsteadily toward the villa next door.Reaching for the keypad, I keyed in my own birthday out of pure habit. A beep sounded, and the door unlocked.I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. What was I even getting my hopes up for? This was Suzanne's birthday, after all.The moment I walked into the villa, the sight before me made my eyes sting. This was what a real home should look like, unlike that house I stayed in.Everywhere I looked, there were traces of everyday life, and traces of love, too. Right in the center of the living room hung a family portrait of the three

The wedding planning moved at breakneck speed, as if Mom and Dad were terrified I might change my mind at any moment.In less than a month, the lavish wedding of one of the city's most powerful families was completely ready.Mom and Dad were insanely busy, but they were clearly enjoying every minute; they couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.I had my own cause for celebration, too. My application for an overseas transfer had finally been approved.On the morning of the wedding, the whole house was buzzing with excitement and celebration from the crack of dawn.When the groom's motorcade arrived, everyone rushed outside with huge smiles on their faces.I took the opportunity to grab my suitcase and head toward the back door. But I never expected to see the two faces I could never forget in this lifetime around the corner in the backyard.They were Suzanne's biological parents, and Suzanne was arguing with them."Suzanne, we're the Klein family's real in-laws! You have no ri

After Suzanne hung up on Mom and Dad, the guests around them began whispering, and their faces grew uglier by the second.Unable to hold back, they immediately had someone track Suzanne's phone.When they finally arrived, panting and out of breath, at the reception held at Stanley and Trudy's place, the scene before them practically short-circuited their brains.The spread over there was just as lavish as the one they had painstakingly prepared. Suzanne was dressed to the nines, laughing and chatting happily. Furious and indignant, they stormed over."Suzanne, why are you attending a reception hosted by people like them?"Stanley and Trudy looked deeply offended. "Watch your mouths. Suzanne is our daughter, after all. And after today, she'll officially be returning to her real family. She's going to change her last name tomorrow."Suzanne kept that same matter-of-fact expression. "Mr. and Mrs. Weston, they are my real parents."Mom and Dad clearly couldn't accept that response.

A few days later, I was stopped outside my new company.To my surprise, the person blocking my way was Suzanne. She stood there looking completely travel-worn. "After sending me to a hellhole like the Klein residence, you ran off here to enjoy some peace and quiet yourself, huh?"Clutching her handbag, she closed the distance between us. Only then did I notice that her eyes were slightly red. She had clearly been crying for a long time."Did you find out beforehand that the Klein family was awful, and that's why you deliberately dumped that engagement on me?"I slowly raised my head and looked at her. "How can you say I dumped it on you when you were the one who snatched it away from me?"She pointed a finger right at my face, snapping, "Don't play dumb with me. You're that couple's daughter, so you're every bit as shrewd as they are. You'd never willingly do something that puts you at a disadvantage. I know you did this on purpose."I paused for a moment before speaking. "I've n

During the few years I spent working abroad, I devoted myself entirely to my career. I gave it my all, proved my worth through results, and earned the respect of both upper management and my peers.During my time away, I finally broke free from the shadow my family had cast over me.Without the constant oppression and restraint, I realized for the first time just how freeing life could be. More importantly, I met someone who actually made my heart flutter.He wasn't some wealthy heir with crazy ambitions or desires. He was just an ordinary guy who made me feel safe enough to let my guard down completely. But to me, he was the only person who truly understood me and respected me.It was right around then that I received another call from my parents. Dad's tired voice came through the phone.That whole ordeal had taken a heavy toll on them, both physically and mentally. They were now a far cry from the confident, spirited people they used to be."Danielle, come home. The company