Chapter 24: Cutting Ties

After Luna finished speaking, she took a deep breath and continued. “I stand by my words and can provide any evidence needed. I won’t admit to things I haven’t done, and no one can claim credit for what I have done.”

Everyone was stunned by the shocking information. The industry's impressions of the two sisters, both good and bad, stemmed from a series of incidents. If those incidents were fabricated, their reputations would be completely reversed.

“Why would you do such a thing? Don't you realize how your reputation has been damaged?” someone from the crowd asked, expressing their confusion.

Luna laughed, a bitter smile twisting her lips. She herself didn't understand how she'd arrived at this point. Perhaps the fantasy of a harmonious family of four had been too alluring, or maybe she had simply been too lonely. By continually yielding, she'd lost herself, becoming a pawn in a tragic drama. It shouldn't have been her.

In her pursuit of self-discovery, she decided to sever ties with the Fast… "Who knows? Maybe I'm just being foolish," she said.

The surrounding chatter and mocking glances immediately fell upon the family of three. Henry and Marjorie appeared bewildered by the intense scrutiny.

Although the events had been unfair to Luna, was it right for her to expose all the family's dirty laundry, damaging Bianca's reputation and subjecting the entire Cowell family to ridicule? She was, after all, simply a rebellious daughter who disregarded her family's well-being.

"W-We're all family here! What are you doing?" Henry exclaimed through gritted teeth.

"Don't you see how distressed your sister is? She didn't do those things on purpose! Are you bringing up old issues to accuse us of treating you unfairly? There's no such thing as absolute fairness in a large family!" Marjorie said.

"Really? I used to tell myself that same lie," Luna retorted mockingly.

Alas, that poor child… She must have been blinded by so-called familial love! If her family hadn't been so cruel and exploitative, Luna might have continued to sacrifice herself for this illusion of kinship. Good thing she finally came to her senses!

The Quirk family members nodded in agreement. Considering recent events, Luna had proven herself exceptionally capable and kind-hearted. They couldn't afford to burden her further. It was a shame that someone in their family was blind to what truly mattered and had missed a great opportunity.

The Quirk family quietly turned their gaze toward Christopher. At that moment, Christopher could only stare blankly at Luna, his distraught expression mirroring her own.

David and Selena exchanged a glance, sensing an opportune moment to address certain matters. Selena began, “It’s not right for you to say this, Mrs. Cowell. We have four children. Even if we can’t achieve absolute fairness, we can maintain a relative balance. I’ve never seen such complete bias toward one child.”

The Cowell family panicked. The Quirk family's unexpected intervention caught them off guard, especially since the engagement hadn't even been finalized.

"No, it's just that this daughter of ours is too proud. That's why we…"

Bianca, tears streaming down her face, turned to Christopher. “Chris, do you think I’m a bad person too? I’m not! I can explain everything! I really didn’t realize how much this mattered to my sister! I know it’s all my fault, but I didn’t do it on purpose!”

“Let me ask you this, then. Were you really the one who saved me back then?” Christopher asked before his mother could respond.

This unexpected question shocked the Cowell family. The onlookers were thoroughly amused, as the initial reason for changing the marriage candidate stemmed from this life-saving act.

Previously indifferent and aloof, Luna was taken aback, looking at her family members in surprise. This was something even she didn't know. Because of the life-saving favor she supposedly owed, Luna felt unable to defend her own engagement. This situation left her struggling, a stark contrast to her usual forthright nature.

She was shocked to learn that Bianca had once again stolen her credit.

“It was you… You guys…” Luna felt her heart ache. “I was delirious with fever and forgot, and you deceived me? All for your daughter to receive this favor? I can’t believe you did this!”

The Cowell family's expressions shifted nervously. It was difficult to excuse their actions, especially with the information now exposed. They hadn't destroyed evidence, anticipating no investigation.

They dared not utter a single word.

“It was me, not my sister! Chris, you have to believe me!” Bianca was truly panicking this time. Seeing Christopher's expression, she added, “I can’t remember! I’ve been sick. Besides, I’ve asked you before, you said you liked me and that it had nothing to do with the life-saving favor!”

A flash of anger flickered in Christopher’s eyes. “So, was it the real you that I fell for? Or was it just your facade?”

Bianca's face turned pale, tears continuing to stream down her face. Christopher, however, refused to meet her gaze, turning instead toward Luna, who deliberately avoided his own.

Everything had ended. Even learning the truth about the past held no significance for Luna; it only deepened her disappointment.

Watching Luna avoid his gaze, Christopher felt a painful pang. He felt he had truly lost something precious.

“What is going on here? Who can give me an answer? Who was the one I’ve been with for three months? Who is responsible for the loss of my child?” Thomas’s mind was in turmoil. He pointed angrily at the Cowell family. “You owe me an explanation! I don’t care if it’s your elder or younger daughter! I will not be toyed with like this!”

Before the Cowell family could respond, Luna said, “After all I’ve said, can’t you tell?”

Thomas’s gaze shifted from Luna to Bianca. “Was it you? You were with me almost every night from May to July. If it wasn’t you, then where were you?”

Startled, Bianca hid behind her parents. “It wasn’t me! I’ve been at home!”

Henry and Marjorie’s faces were pale. After exchanging a glance, they fleetingly looked at Luna, silently gritting their teeth.

“Putting the past aside, Bianca couldn’t have been involved. She was at home, and my wife and I can vouch for that,” Henry interjected.

Marjorie nodded. “During that period, Luna was not at home, and we had no idea where she had gone.”

Thomas cast a doubtful look toward Luna. Everyone was confused; no one could have imagined parents sabotaging one daughter for another.

The icy look Luna gave her parents could have frozen someone solid.

“So, you two are willing to lie for her sake?” Luna asked in disbelief.

“What lie? If you have grievances, take it out on us! Why tarnish your sister’s reputation? Do you intend to drag her down with you?” Henry exclaimed.

“And who’s to blame for my bad reputation, huh?” Luna asked with a chuckle.

Henry fell silent, glaring at Luna resentfully. Had Luna not caused a fuss and agreed to the engagement, they wouldn't have been humiliated. She had disgraced the family. If Bianca admitted everything, her reputation would be ruined. Luna, therefore, should bear the consequences.

“Indeed, our past actions were inappropriate, but your sister is innocent. She’s been frail since childhood, and it’s partly your fault for hogging her share of nutrients. You’ve always owed her,” Marjorie exclaimed.

Luna laughed. “I get it now. You knew I was in the mountains conducting research and couldn’t provide an alibi. You planned to help Bianca by lying, pinning her misdeeds on me. You concluded she was with Thomas. Every time she did something like this, she did it under my name. None of you cared why. And after everything, you expect me to take the fall?”

Henry and Marjorie's eyes flickered. In the past, Luna could deceive herself, pretending everything was fine. This time, however, they openly chose to protect Bianca, betraying her. It was too cruel.

Luna felt like a lone wolf in a heavy snowfall. Bianca remained safely shielded behind her parents, her resentful gaze visible.

You know what they say! When parents lack virtue, their children are discordant. It’s no wonder Bianca could harm others so brazenly. It’s all due to her eccentric parents. They really did seem to reserve all the good things for their younger daughter, not caring if it meant taking from their eldest daughter.

Hearing Isabella’s confusion, Alexander wasn’t surprised. From an economic perspective, this was a matter of sunk costs. Because Henry and Marjorie had devoted so much time and energy to Bianca, Luna felt like a distant relative. Their affection was clearly unequal.

They may have realized they’d wronged Luna, but humans instinctively avoid acknowledging mistakes. They treated her even more unfairly to justify their actions, seeking flaws in her to mask their guilt. Luna's injustices were overlooked while Bianca's were magnified.

There was no turning back. Henry said, “Stop causing a scene, Luna. You always talk back and hurt your sister, but have we ever reprimanded you? We’ve treated it as tantrums, but it’s about time you stopped.”

Marjorie stepped forward, gripping Luna’s wrist. “This time, you mustn’t act recklessly again, or we truly won’t forgive you! Behave yourself! If you have any grievances, we can discuss them at home. You will receive compensation.”

They assumed Luna would know her limits.

Luna murmured, “Talked back to you two? Hurt my sister?”

Isabella grumbled internally. Right… I talked back defending myself against my sister’s false accusations. That’s considered talking back. Ah, yes, I did hurt her. Because I didn’t give everything to my sister, she cried.

The Quirk family was amused. Christopher felt as if arrow after arrow was piercing his heart.

“Act recklessly?” Luna gazed deeply at Henry and Marjorie. “I don’t need your forgiveness or your compensation. All I want is to clear my name.”

Henry and Marjorie were taken aback. Luna then told Thomas, “I’m willing to go to any hospital with you for an examination to see if I’ve ever had a miscarriage!”

The entire room fell silent. It would take considerable courage; exposing herself would make it harder for her to live her life. But what she offered was solid evidence.

“Of course, it’s solid evidence! I’m still a virgin!”

The Quirk family anticipated this; no matter how the Cowells argued, everything would fall apart. The Cowells were naive, not considering Luna would recklessly prove herself. Someone driven to the edge wouldn’t care about reputation. All she wanted was to maintain her innocence.

Luna turned to Bianca. “Well? I’m brave enough to do it. Are you?”

Bianca was dumbfounded. Thomas, like a venomous snake, had his sights on Bianca.

“You’ve lost it! You’ve completely lost it! Do you even understand what you’re saying? We won’t allow you to treat yourself like this!” Henry exclaimed frantically.

Marjorie wept. “My daughter, how did you end up like this? You… it’s just unthinkable…”

If they had to choose, they would protect Bianca. Luna had no lingering attachments to them. Observing their repugnant expressions, her suppressed hatred surged.

“Since I’m so unworthy in your eyes, from this moment on, I declare that I’m cutting ties with the three of you. From now on, I’m no longer a part of the Cowell family, and I will have nothing to do with you three anymore!”