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I woke groggily,rubbing my eyes,and changed into casual clothes,my face was pale as I made my way downstairs.
Downstairs,the lights were bright.
My stepfather and mother were sitting there.
I took a deep breath,respectfully saying,“Mom,Mr.Hayes.”
He remained silent,his expression cold.
Mom forced a smile.“Lily,you’re back.”
“Yes.Mr.Hayes,Mom,these past years,I’ve done a lot of thinking.I know what to say,what to do now.”
Mom relaxed,eyeing my pallor.“Your brother’s bringing his girlfriend for dinner tonight.”
“Don’t worry,Mom.I won’t cause any trouble,”I said,smiling softly.
She beamed,relieved.“Lily’s grown up.”
“That’s a Hayes daughter—ethical,proper.Behave from now on,”my stepfather added sternly.
They guarded me like a thief,afraid I’d steal their precious son.
Even my own mother.
Dear Mom,I’m your daughter.Why can’t you love me more?
I remembered arriving at the Hayes mansion at ten years old,hiding behind Mom.She pulled me forward,introducing a tall,cold-faced man.“This is your new father.”
I called him Dad,but he just glared at me,his disdain was subtle.I was too young to understand,only sensing he didn’t like me.
He told me not to call him Dad—he wasn’t my father.
True.My real dad was dead.
My old dad called me a bastard but gave me money for snacks.This one just ignored me.
In this house,I was invisible.As long as I had enough to eat, they thought they’d done their duty.
Lucas,on the other hand,was the apple of everyone’s eye.
I'd hide in the shadows,watching him soak up all the love and praise.
When he got first place,Mom would ruffle his hair,praising him.Mr.Hayes lifted him up,laughing,“That’s my boy!”
They'd take time off to take him to amusement parks,bought him racecars.
Was getting good grades the key to being loved?
I studied obsessively,day and night.When I showed Mom my first-place certificate,she scoffed,“What’s the point?You’ll just marry someday.Look at me—I married Mr.Hayes,and now we have this life.”
First place wasn’t the secret to happiness.
That night,I tore my certificates to pieces,sobbing.
Lucas climbed through my balcony,picked up a piece of the torn paper,smirking in the moonlight.“No matter how hard you try,it’s useless.You need to please me.Only I can help you.”
