Chapter 143

Emmalie was in tears. "Thea, if you don't like it, then fine. Why are you mocking me?"

Ivy coughed lightly and forced a dry smile. "Alright, Thea. At least open it and see if you like it. If not, then forget it."

Everyone's eyes were on Thea. It felt as if she would be judged harshly if she didn't open the box. Therefore, Thea had no choice but to open it. Inside was a necklace—exquisitely beautiful.

However, Thea frowned. The necklace looked familiar.

Ivy smiled in satisfaction and turned to comfort Emmalie. "Look, your sister still likes this gift very much. You two are close sisters; how could she dislike something you gave her?" Emmalie smiled through her tears and walked over to affectionately hold Thea's hand.

"Thea," she said, "just get along with us for a while and tell your family what you're thinking. We're still a loving family. You don't know how much Mom dotes on you. Since you've been estranged, Mom has cried a lot and is exhausted."

Ivy, touched by Emmalie's concern, looked at Thea expectantly, but was disappointed. She felt Thea lacked empathy.

Thea's expression was indifferent. She seemed to have surveyed everyone in the room; some were indifferent, others disgusted, but Ivy looked frustrated. Beside her, Emmalie merely seemed to be acting.

"Am I tired of living to be part of this family?" With this thought, Thea pulled away her hand and smiled coldly. "I'm not qualified. Besides, you're the Rowland family's only daughter in their hearts. If I stay here a second longer, I'll be an eyesore."

Emmalie immediately shook her head, looking distraught. "That's not what I meant, Thea. Are you saying that because you hate me? I didn't expect you to think of me like that."

Thea almost rolled her eyes.

Duncan stepped forward, pulling Emmalie behind him. He raised his chin slightly, with arrogance and disdain. "Emmalie, don't cry. Thea is right. If it weren't for your desire for family warmth, I wouldn't even admit she's my sister."

"Duncan!" Ivy shouted, interrupting him. She took a deep breath and walked to Thea, trying to force a gentle smile. "You're tired. I'll have the servants prepare a room for you. Go and rest."

"Is it a guest room?" Thea asked abruptly.

Ivy was slightly stunned. "The guest room, of course," she answered without thinking.

Hearing this, Thea sneered, turned, and left.

Ivy was flustered that her daughter had to stay in the guest room. However, she didn't feel it was her fault. Since Thea was unwilling to return home, the room couldn't remain empty. Moreover, Emmalie needed to practice piano and work out at home, so she had someone modify Thea's vacated room. Ivy could only blame Thea for their estrangement. If Thea had been more compliant, Ivy would have certainly doted on her.

When Thea returned to her room, there was a knock before she could fall asleep. She opened the door to find Emmalie smiling, holding a plate of fruit.

Thea subconsciously looked around. It was just Emmalie. She closed the door, leaning against it, unwilling to let Emmalie in.

"They're not here. Don't pretend to be a good sister," Thea said, yawning. Her eyes showed unconcealed disgust and frustration.

Emmalie smiled, a hint of smugness present. "I didn't expect you to return so brazenly. You didn't think they'd throw a birthday party for you, did you?"

"What's that got to do with you?" Thea asked.

"Everything," Emmalie replied strangely, pushing the fruit plate toward Thea. "Mom prepared this for you. She told you to rest well."

"Let me explain," she continued. "I told Mom I wanted to show you sisterly love and celebrate my birthday with you early. Mom, thinking our age difference wasn't significant, agreed. Therefore, tomorrow's birthday party is for both of us."

Thea was surprised. "Emmalie, your shamelessness knows no bounds. You even want to steal my birthday?"

Emmalie's expression froze before she sneered. "Do you know what this means? It means they'll give me anything I want. They can't help it. I was kidnapped. I have to thank that trafficker."

Hearing that, Thea sneered. "When you were first found, you said you were terrified and needed your family. They asked what happened, but you said the memory was too painful. But now, you openly thank that experience for gaining more parental love. Your psychological resilience has improved."

The smile on Emmalie's face froze.

Thea suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, I remember the trafficker is being released soon. Emmalie, don't worry. He's the Rowland family's enemy. Once he's out, our family won't let him go. Although the Rowland family isn't powerful, they can easily handle an ordinary person."

Panic flashed across Emmalie's eyes. "Whatever happens to him, he deserves it. You don't have to tell me this. Didn't you mention the past to upset me? It's boring, Thea."

Her strange reaction only lasted a second, but Thea noticed. As she watched Emmalie quickly leave, Thea was thoughtful. She felt there was something hidden about the kidnapping she didn't know. Emmalie didn't seem to resent the trafficker. How was that possible? It was the source of her suffering; she'd been kidnapped for seven or eight years, missing out on years of a privileged life. Shouldn't she hate the trafficker intensely? Thea thought. She left the fruit untouched.

Early the next morning, Thea was woken by servants and taken to the cloakroom. Ivy was in a good mood and wanted to dress her daughters. She excitedly chose outfits. When Thea arrived, Ivy and Emmalie were discussing what to wear, appearing like a normal mother-daughter interaction. Thea sat and watched indifferently.

Emmalie, in a light blue fishtail dress, looked elegant and beautiful. She approached Thea. "I'm sorry, Thea. This dress was for you, but it suits me better. Why don't you give it to me?" The apology felt insincere.