“Fional” Eleanor suddenly raised her voice sharply, startling Fiona.

Caught in Eleanor’s fierce re, Fiona couldn’t even bring herself to meet Eleanor’s eyes.

Eleanor said sternly, “I won’t tolerate any unfair treatment toward Ste. If you want to go out for dinner without us, that’s fine. Just make sure you drop us off at a restaurant of equal standing and cover the bill.

“In short, whatever privileges you enjoy, Ste must have the same.”

Just as Fiona was about to speak, Andrew nudged her, signaling her to stop. “Yes, we will.”

Eleanor cast them a cold nce. Without another word, she extended her hand, gesturing for Ste to follow her upstairs.

Fiona was still feeling disgruntled, but Andrew shot her a warning look.

Once they were upstairs, Fiona fumed to Andrew, “Can’t you see your mother was trying to put me in my ce right from the start? I may not bhave /bgrand achievements, but I’ve worked bhard/b, haven’t I? I gave birth to three kids.

“They’re all my children. Who I treat better is my own business. What’s it got to do with her? Did you see the way she looked at me, so full of disdain? What’s with that attitude? What did I even do wrong?”

Andrew soothed her, “Alright, Mom’s getting old. She won’t be around forever. Just let it go.”

“What more do you want from me, Andrew? I’ve been putting up with so much and giving in all the time. If it weren’t for you, I’d have taken the kids and left long ago.”

Andrew sighed, “Yes, yes, I know. Alright, alright. Except for Mary, we’ve reced all the other servants. This won’t happen again.”

In fact, Fiona even wanted to get rid of Mary, who had been with Eleanor for so long, always judging her. She doubted that Mary was the reason why Eleanor didn’t like her. bShe /bdecided to teach Mary a lesson.

It was alreadyte, and both Eleanor and Ste, feeling tired, retired to their separate rooms for the night.

Ste took a quick shower in the bathroom. She hadn’t showered for days during her hospital stay and wasn’t exactly fresh, though it was still better than her old days.

After her shower, she messaged Jordan, [Sorry it took me so long to thank you. You’ve probably heard that I was in aa and only just woke bup/b. My phone broke. I just got a new one, so I reached out to you.]

Ste had been thinking about how Jordan had dropped everything and rushed straight back from his business trip just for her. She’d long wanted to express her gratitude, but somehow, the opportunity never arose.

Ste couldn’t help but worry if Jordan bwas /bupset with her for thanking him sote. Momentster, her phone buzzed. Jordan had replied.

I heard about your situation. I don’t have the blood type you needed, and even after asking around, I still couldn’t help. That’s why I didn’t reach out sooner. You’re not bmad /bat me, are you?]

Ste felt something stir deep inside her. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect that instead of being angry, Jordan would bme /bhimself for not being able to help.

i1/3 /i

She replied, Jordan, please don’t say that. We’re practically strangers, but you’ve already helped me so much Freally can’t than you enough.]

Jordan replied seconds bter/b, [So, in your heart, we’re just strangers?]

Ste froze.

Jordan continued, I’d like to think we’ve known each other for almost five years now. Even if we’ve only kept in touch online for two of those, I still consider us friends.

[Even though you still don’t want to bmeet /bme, the fact that you turned to me first in your time of need made me really happy. But what you just said has left me confused.]

Touched beyond words, Ste hurried to rify, her fingers flying across her phone screen.

[That’s not what I meant at all. I was just worried you didn’t see me as a real friend. Thank you for being so open with me.]

Jordan replied with a smiley face.

Ste replied, [Sorry, I waspletely out of it that day and couldn’t make out your face at all. If we meet again and you don’t call out to me, I probably wouldn’t even recognize you.]

Jordan messagedb, /b[No wonder you didn’t say hi today.]

As soon as Ste read that message, her mind wentpletely nk [Wait, we actually ran into each other today?]

Jordan replied, [Yeah.]

[Where?]

[At the buffet.]

Ste suddenly remembered Eleanor’s words, and everything clicked into ce. [My grandma mentioned someone had been watching me for a while earlier. Was that byou/bb? /b

Jordan replied, [Yeah.]

Ste grew flustered at his frank admission. [Why didn’t you call out to me? Oh, right, you must’ve been shocked by how I look. now, Am I that hideous? I’m sorry. The online friend you’ve known for so long ended up like this.]

Jordan replied, I already know who you are and what you’ve been through. The way you look now wasn’t your choice. So how could you think of yourself as hideous?]

Ste was stunned into silence.

Jordan continued, [You have a brilliant mind, one that’s truly unique. My career wouldn’t have taken off so quickly without you. Was that why you didn’t want to meet me thest time I asked?]

[bYes/b, Ste admitted.

[Don’t worry about it. You’re brilliant, and if you ever want to, you’re always wee to drop by thepany.

Ste paused for a moment. (Let me take you out to dinner when I get the chance.)

Jordan replied, [Sounds good, I won’t hold back then.]

Ste chuckled. [Seriously, don’t hold back.)

Maybe it was because they’d finally met in person, or maybe Jordan really didn’t care about how she looked now. Whatever the reason, for the first time in a long whileb, /bshe fell a glimmer of hope for her life.

Not everyone was out to get me. She still had Eleanor, Kevin, and Jordan by her side.

The next morning, as soon as Ste stepped out of her room, she saw Anna already there, holding out a bowl of soup. “Ste, made this specially for you. Please have some. It’ll do wonders for your recovery.”

Ste had been home for quite some time, yet she’d never seen Anna act so solicitous before. She didn’t trust this sudden change. In fact, the only people she trusted here were Eleanor and Mary. “No thanks, Keep it for yourself”

Ste turned to leave, but Anna hurried after her. “Ste, I know you haven’t forgiven me yet, but I truly want to make things right between us.”

Anna looked utterly sincere, but Ste shot her a cold, mocking smile as she met her gaze. “Did we ever really have a good rtionship?”

Anna knew it all too well. From birth, it was instinctual. The moment all eyes shifted to Ste, Anna would burst into tears. Even before she could speak, she’d cry on cue.

As she grew older, Anna seemed to have grown ustomed to it all, never once thinking she’d done anything wrong. While other families‘ twins might be close, Anna and Ste could never truly get along.

They’d never shared the kind of sisterly intimacy others took for granted, no sleeping in the same room, note–night talks under the covers. It was as if they were natural–born enemies.

“Ste, I know I was immature before. I bwas /bwrong, I really mean it this time. I’m truly sorry. Ste, please, won’t you forgive me?” Anna was relentless, trailing after Ste until they stood on the stairs.

Ste snapped, “Would you stop following me?”

Before Ste could react, Anna let out a startled cry as the bowl slipped from iher /ihands, and in the next instant, she tumbled down the stairs.