"Licia, you're always eating at the school cafeteria; you're probably not getting enough nutrition. Why not move back home?"

"No thanks, Mrs. Fuller. I'm doing fine at school. It's convenient."

When Felicia addressed her as "Mrs. Fuller," Myra's expression stiffened, and she glanced at Dexter, feeling slighted. Felicia had only called her "Mom" once since returning—sarcastically, when asking her to relinquish Arnold to Kayla. Otherwise, it was always "Mrs. Fuller." Myra felt deeply wronged. "Licia, I'm your mother. If outsiders hear you calling me that, they'll think we have no family bond!"

Felicia remained silent; she lacked the energy for a charade of familial affection. She knew, in this life or the last, any softening of her attitude would result in harsh repercussions.

Seeing Felicia's silence, Dexter intervened. "Licia, the New Year's coming soon, and you'll have a school break. You'll come home then, right?"

Felicia, unable to refuse, nodded.

Kayla, a whirlwind of energy, rushed to Dexter and Myra. "Dad, Mom, quiz! What day is it in a couple of days?"

Dexter hesitated. "Nothing special, is there? New Year's still a bit away."

"Mom, your turn!"

"I don't remember either," Myra replied, shaking her head.

Kayla stamped her feet, looking pitiful. Dexter and Myra burst into laughter. "Of course, we remember! It's your birthday! How could we forget?" Kayla's face lit up.

Sebastian, beside Felicia, furrowed his brows, about to speak, but Kayla interrupted. "Dad, Mom, isn't my birthday the same day as Felicia's?"

The cheerful atmosphere evaporated, replaced by awkwardness. Felicia and Kayla were born on the same day; otherwise, they wouldn't have been switched at birth. Dexter and Myra's oversight—forgetting Felicia's birthday in their focus on Kayla's—became painfully apparent.

Myra quickly recovered, smiling. "Licia, I've already planned everything. Since you and Kayla share a birthday, let's have a big party! Invite friends and classmates. How does that sound?" (Felicia had earlier mentioned having no friends and watching movies alone.)

Sebastian coughed to ease the tension. "This is Licia's first birthday since returning. Perhaps separate celebrations would be better. Having the same birthday might feel unfair to one of them."

"Sebastian, you're biased!" Kayla pouted. "I won't steal Felicia's spotlight. She can have all the attention!"

"That's not what I meant—" Sebastian began, but Felicia's cold voice cut him off.

"When is my birthday? I've never celebrated it; I don't even know when I was born. So, it's this month?" It made sense. She had been mistakenly switched at birth. Howell and Tabitha never celebrated her birthday, and the date was always vague in their recollections.

Myra's heart ached; genuine guilt and pity welled up. "Licia... I'm so sorry you've suffered."

Kayla instantly sensed the shift. Her plan to suppress Felicia had backfired; Felicia had skillfully played the victim, evoking guilt from Dexter and Myra. This was not good.

Dexter announced, "Licia, for your birthday, I'll transfer five percent of the company's shares to you as a gift!"