Chapter 353

Seeing her return, Thalia noticed her discomfort. "Melody isn't well," she said. "I need to care for her for a few days." She was also preparing for Melody's transplant surgery the following day and would be hospitalized for a time.

Thalia didn't plan to tell Tiffany and her brother about this. She simply reminded Tiffany, "Stay home and take good care of your brother."

Tiffany agreed, "Okay. Got it."

"Then I'll go to the hospital now." Thalia took two steps forward, then turned and touched Tiffany's cheek. "Both of you matter to me," she said gently. "Don't overthink this. No matter what, you will always be my daughter."

She intended to convey that upon returning home with Melody, she would treat them equally. However, she didn't realize that this statement already implied bias and the impossibility of fairness.

Tiffany understood this, but nodded obediently. "Okay."

Thalia left for the hospital. Upon arrival, she found Charlie had servants packing their belongings. Anxiously, she asked, "What's going on? Why are you packing? Are we moving to another ward?"

Charlie replied, "No. We're being discharged." He explained about the Miracle Healer's visit and showed her a small bottle. "With this, the transplant surgery isn't needed."

Thalia was skeptical. "Really?"

However, recalling her past headaches and Tiffany's resourcefulness in obtaining medicine from the Miracle Healer that completely cured them, her skepticism lessened. Her vigilance relaxed.

"That's good," Thalia said. "With this medicine, Melody will suffer less."

"That's right," Charlie nodded.

The servants finished packing. Thalia held Melody's hand and led her to the car. "Let's go home," she comforted her. "From today onward, the Kelley family will be your home."

Melody had longed for this day. She had finally gotten her wish.

"It really wasn't easy—" Melody, though overjoyed, nodded sadly. Then, timidly, she asked, "Then… what about Tiffany and my brother? Will they be unhappy?"

Thalia patted her hand. "Tiffany is two months younger than you. You're her sister. Eric is your younger brother. We're all family. How could they not be happy?"

Melody finally smiled.

The chauffeur and servants overheard this exchange, exchanging shocked glances. They wondered when Mr. and Mrs. Kelley had another daughter.

Regardless of their thoughts, the vehicle drove to the Kelley estate. Servants, including the chauffeur, stood neatly in the courtyard awaiting Melody, as instructed by the butler.

Upon arrival, Thalia personally escorted Melody and introduced her to the staff. "Her name is Melody," she announced. "She's Charlie and my daughter, abducted earlier. From now on, she's our eldest daughter. Do you understand?"

The servants were shocked by the sudden announcement. However, Thalia's words explained previous mysteries—for instance, why Mrs. Kelley had previously slapped Tiffany because of this girl.

The servants nodded, bowed respectfully, and greeted Melody, "Greetings, Miss Kelley!"

From that moment, her identity, status, and life would be transformed.

Melody's smile was bright; her eyes shone. "Nice to meet you," she said sweetly and without airs. Her gentle, vulnerable beauty impressed everyone. The servants relaxed.

Thalia then led Melody inside. "Let's go. Pick a room you like. I will personally decorate it for you!" She regretted having denied Melody's identity in the past and now aimed to make amends.

Melody was taken to the second floor. She immediately chose a room. "Can I choose this one?"

Lucy, the housekeeper, corrected her awkwardly, "Miss Melody, that's… Miss Tiffany's room."

"I see," Melody immediately withdrew her hand, looking timid. "I'm sorry, I didn't know… Since it's my sister's, I'll choose another room." She chose the guest room next to Tiffany's. "This one then? Is this okay?"

Lucy was embarrassed. "Miss Kelley, this… this room is a bit too small." She hesitated to mention it was a small guest room, formerly used for servants caring for young Eric and Tiffany. It was absurd for the eldest Kelley daughter to occupy it.

"Okay, I'll pick another one then," Melody said uneasily. Her initial bright smile had faded, replaced by caution, embarrassment, and nervousness.

Thalia, seeing this, felt upset. She reflected on how much she had doted on Melody in her infancy, and how Melody, missing for over ten years, lacked the aristocratic bearing of young ladies from prestigious families. Her hardship had robbed her of grace.

Overcome with guilt, Thalia declared without hesitation, "It's okay. Since you like Tiffany's room, Tiffany will give it to you."

"Mrs. Kelley?" Lucy looked at Thalia in disbelief. "Isn't it… not good to let Miss Tiffany move out?"

Thalia instantly regretted her impulsive decision. She'd recently promised Tiffany fairness and motherly love. Yet, seeing Melody's disappointed expression, she'd spoken without thinking.

She was about to retract her offer when she saw Melody's surprised face. "Really? Can Tiffany really give it to me?"

"Well…" Thalia hesitated.

Seeing her hesitation, Melody laughed. "Mom, I'm just joking with you. Anyway, for so many years, I've been picking up things that others don't want. I'm already used to it!"

She tried to hide the loneliness in her eyes, but tears welled up.

Thalia's heart ached. "You've suffered all these years."

Melody said, "I haven't. At least for now, God has compensated me!" She smiled, but tears flowed freely.

Thalia could only hug her distressed daughter. At that moment, the master bedroom door opened, and Tiffany appeared. "Do you need me to move?"