Chapter 656 All We Ever Wanted

Kyla realized she really did resemble Megan—especially her eyes and eyebrows. The arch of her brows, the shape of her eyes… every tiny detail mirrored Megan perfectly. She was almost certain that she was the biological daughter the couple had left in an orphanage all those years ago.

Megan, for her part, was studying Kyla just as closely. Even though she already knew this was the child she had abandoned, and even had her photos, sitting face-to-face with her now was entirely new. No matter what, Kyla had been Megan’s firstborn—carried for nine months, delivered through pain and danger.

After all these years of absence, a wave of guilt washed over Megan whenever their eyes met, making it impossible to meet Kyla’s gaze directly. Even if leaving her had once seemed unavoidable, it didn’t excuse the fact that she had been a heartless mother.

James crossed his legs, lit a cigarette without concern, and exhaled smoke as he grumbled, “Kyla, why are you still wearing that mask? What, you won’t even show your face to your own parents?” Does she think Megan or I am contagious? Or does she just look down on us?

“Honey, speak gently to Kyla. She’s our daughter—don’t be so harsh, okay?”

“How am I being harsh? I’m just worried that our own daughter doesn’t even see us as her parents! She’s sitting there wearing a mask while we’re about to eat. What’s up with that?”

James didn’t care what Megan thought. Since Kyla was his biological child, who wouldn’t even exist without him, he believed he had the ultimate claim on her life. His giving her life itself was a favor she could never repay. He believed he had to assert control from the start. If he softened now, she might defy him later, making it impossible to demand obedience, respect, or financial aid.

Kyla replied flatly, “I had an accident and was disfigured. I look awful now. I kept my mask on so I wouldn’t shock you. Because of my face, my life with the Jensons hasn’t been easy. Since you came looking for me and did your research, you already know all this, right?”

James and Megan froze.

Since leaving Jeselton to find Kyla, they had investigated her. Some of what they uncovered was so thorough it even surprised them. The private detectives they hired had delivered Kyla’s full records in just a few days. That was why their plan to approach her had moved so quickly. Of course, they had no idea someone else had quietly accelerated the process behind the scenes… It was Tilda and Andy.

James slammed his fist on the table, cursing, “Damn the Jensons! No matter what, they raised you. Even if you’re not their biological child, raising you makes them your family, right? All those years of care–did that mean nothing? How dare they let this happen to you! They can’t protect my daughter, and I’ll make them pay!”

“Heh… even if the Jensons ignore me now, they raised me. They provided the food I ate, the clothes I wore, the education I received, and the companionship I had while growing up! How dare you lecture me about my Daddy and Mommy?”

Kyla’s anger flared. “So you really are my biological parents? Fine. Then answer me—why did you abandon me back then? Why did you leave me in an orphanage and never care for me? Do you even know how close I came to dying there? If it weren’t for the Jensons, spending money to hire the best doctors for me, I would be dead!”

“I… Kyla, don’t be angry. Back then, your father and I had no choice. We were broke, and you were sick. We couldn’t care for you properly… If you had stayed with us, you might have died! The only option was the orphanage, hoping someone kind would help you.”

“And if no one had come? Or if someone came but couldn’t save me? Without the Jensons‘ money, my illness wouldn’t have been treated. I would have died there, forgotten, and I doubt you would have even visited my grave!”

James lost his temper. “Silly girl, what are you saying? We were just testing the situation. Of course, we wouldn’t abandon you entirely. We were thrilled when the Jensons took you in and saved your life, otherwise, how would we even have known how you’ve been doing all these years? All we ever wanted was for you to be happy!”

Kyla fell silent. This was what puzzled her most.