Chapter 14 1/2

"So what if she is? Didn't you hear Mr. Lawson Senior? An imposter will always be an imposter. There's only one true daughter of the Fuller family!" one guest declared.

"Well, this is going to be quite a show! The adopted daughter desperately pursues marriage while the real daughter vehemently rejects it. Isn't this a case of same person, different fates?" another chimed in.

The mocking gazes felt like sharp swords piercing Kayla's heart. All her pride and self-esteem crumbled. Unable to bear it, she burst into tears and fled outside. Seeing this, Dexter and Myra grew anxious, fearing Kayla might do something reckless. They turned to Matthew, saying, "Let's discuss the marriage later. We're not prepared for this."

Matthew had come to propose to Felicia, not Kayla. Myra frowned, conflicted. Matthew nodded. Before leaving, he gave Felicia a determined look and asked, "Do you still like the gifts I sent yesterday?"

Myra was astonished. Those gifts were intended for Kayla. A misunderstanding was clear. Felicia remained expressionless.

The party ended. After the guests departed, Dexter rubbed his temples. "Have you found Kayla?" he asked.

"No," Myra replied, pacing anxiously. After a thorough search of the Fuller residence, they found Kayla by the pond, soaked to the bone. Myra's heart sank.

Kayla's first words to Myra were, "Mom, I don't want to live anymore! I can't live like this!" Her cries echoed through the villa.

"When we found Ms. Kayla, she was about to jump into the pond," a maid reported. "We saved her just in time."

Myra's heart ached. That night, Dexter and Myra comforted Kayla, terrified she might harm herself. Kayla cried all night, her eyes swollen and voice hoarse. Clinging to Myra's hand, she pleaded, "Mom, I won't compete with Felicia for anything! I'm an imposter. I shouldn't ask for too much. But Mom, please… I really like Arnie…"

Kayla cried herself to sleep. Dexter and Myra remained until dawn. In the hallway, Myra wiped her tears.

Chapter 14

If not for the birth mix-up, this wouldn't be so complicated. Myra even thought their family could have been happy if Felicia didn't exist.

That thought was immediately met with Dexter's scolding. "What nonsense are you talking about? Kayla is your daughter, but isn't Felicia also your daughter? Blood ties connect us. A mother's heart beats for her children! If Felicia heard you, how heartbroken would she be?"

Myra realized her thoughtless words. Dexter, usually even-tempered, was understandably upset. Feeling wronged, she retorted, "Yes, Felicia is my biological daughter, but I've watched Kayla grow. Is it wrong to favor her?"

Before Dexter could respond, Myra pressed on, "Haven't you felt the same?"

Dexter was speechless. Meanwhile, around the corner, Felicia silently leaned against the wall, listening.