When Fiona was tricked into breaking off her engagement, she didn't feel much about it, but now, eavesdropping like this was a bit too much!Especially since...Right across from her, Lucian was crouching as well. Fiona's hand was still covering his mouth.She could faintly feel the warm breath he exhaled against her palm. Fiona couldn't help but tremble slightly.This was beyond awkward. Lucian gave Fiona a deep look but didn't say anything.
After what felt like an eternity, the couple they were watching finally finished their make-out session and left the garden hand in hand. Fiona let out a sigh of relief and quickly jumped to her feet. She was somewhat thankful that the couple had only kissed and hadn't done anything more intense. Otherwise, she might have died of embarrassment.
Lucian stood up slowly and then looked at her."Do you have anything to say?"
"Mr. Mikkelsen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," Fiona said, lowering her head and admitting her mistake honestly.
Lucian frowned."I meant, do you have anything to say about what you just saw?"
Ah, that's it.!
Fiona suddenly understood, her mind racing with thoughts.She had long been aware of what Abel and Emily were discussing, and it didn't affect her much. After all, she had always known she was just a stand-in, so she never invested her feelings into it. But this was probably the first time Lucian found out. Rumor had it that the head of the Mikkelsen Family was ruthless and cold-hearted in his actions. Although Abel was engaged to her, it was clear he wanted to break off the engagement. If this news got out, it would certainly tarnish the Mikkelsen Family's reputation. Abel was his nephew, so naturally, he wouldn't do anything to him.
But what about her?Wouldn't she be in great danger? Thinking of Lucian 's reputation, Layla even felt she might be silenced for good.
In a flash of inspiration, Fiona looked up, her eyes slightly red."Mr. Mikkelsen, I've always been a stand-in. Now that the real one is back, it's only natural that Abel doesn't want me anymore. Don't worry, whether it's breaking off the engagement or anything else, I will fully cooperate with whatever he wants. I promise I won't cause any trouble for the Ferguson Family."
Fiona's appearance was delicate yet resilient. Given her current state, she hoped she could at least save her own life. Fiona thought that compared to three years ago, her biggest improvement was learning how to show vulnerability. She wondered if Lucian would fall for it.
Lucian narrowed his eyes, his pupils darkening. Previously, when Emily had teared up, he found it overly dramatic and felt nothing but disdain. But now, seeing Fiona's eyes well up... inexplicably, he reached out his hand. Fiona was crying earnestly when she suddenly felt someone wiping her tears away. She looked up, bewildered.
Lucian calmly withdrew his hand and said in a deep voice, "The Mikkelsen Family will give you an explanation." With that, he turned around, leaving Fiona with a cold, indifferent back.
Fiona was left speechless. An explanation? What kind of explanation? She didn't even like Abel. A smooth breakup was just fine with her. Of course, Fiona didn't dare say that out loud. She let out a bitter laugh, deciding she didn't want to stay in the garden any longer. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching, she quietly sneaked back to her room. The hall was still bustling with activity.
Downstairs, Emily's birthday party was in full swing. She and Emily shared the same birthday, born on the same day of the same month in the same year. Today was supposed to be her birthday too. But then, the real daughter had returned. Who would remember her now? Fiona shut her door, cutting off the noises from outside. She took out a small cake she had prepared in advance and ate it carefully.
Then, she earnestly said to herself, "Happy birthday Fiona Dawson."
Even if others forgot, she had to remember.
Fiona had no intention of going out to be a
nuisance. After finishing the small cake, she stayed in her room.
Bored, she took out a maths test paper and started working on it. What began as a way to pass the time soon engrossed her.
She had just finished one test paper when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted.
She rubbed her temples and went to open the door.
"Miss," a servant stood at the door, showing a perfectly polite smile. "The Master and Mistress request your presence downstairs."
Fiona was taken aback for a moment.
"Is there something they need?"
"The Master and Mistress didn't say," the servant replied.
"Alright. Give me a moment."
Layla didn't think much of it and casually changed into a more appropriate outfit before heading out.
"Miss, you can't go without wearing any jewelry," the servant said, presenting a white jade bracelet. "The Mistress instructed me to give this to you to wear."
Fiona wanted to refuse.
The servant added, "The Mistress said if you don't wear it, it means you're not part of the family."
Hearing this, Fiona hesitated for a moment and then allowed the servant to help her put on the bracelet. It was a bit small and took some effort to slip on. Her sleeve fell, covering most of the bracelet, leaving only a small part visible.
The servant glanced at the bracelet with a faint smile, then led Fiona downstairs.
The party was still in full swing.
Emily was the center of attention, surrounded by Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, along with Abel, making her look like a queen.
Fiona had no idea why her parents had called her here.She didn't want to disturb the happy family scene and just wanted to find a quiet place to stay.
"Sis!" Emily spotted her through the crowd and called out sweetly. Layla let out an almost unnoticeable sigh and resignedly walked over.
"Sister."
Emily, feeling a bit guilty, took her hand"I'm sorry, sis.I just found out that we share the same birthday.I should have called you down sooner.Please don't be mad at me.
Mom, Dad, help me out here."
As she spoke, Emily playfully stuck out her tongue.
Hilbert frowned slightly and said calmly, "Fiona, your sister has been through a lot to come back home.It's only right that we pay her a bit more attention these days.You're so understanding; surely you won't be upset, right?"
Layla lowered her eyes and replied calmly, "I
won't."
"That's good to hear," Nora said with a smile, pulling both Fiona and Emily closer.
"You two are both my precious daughters.
Fiona, as the older sister, remember to take good care of Emily. After all, while you were enjoying the comforts of home, your sister was out there suffering."
A slight pang of pain pricked Fiona's heart.
Everyone said she was living a life of luxury.
But even if she was, what did Emily's suffering have to do with her?It wasn't her fault that she went missing.Their parent's words made it seem like she owed Emily something. But Fiona didn't say anything.
She just obediently replied, "I understand."
"You're the best, sis," Emily beamed, her smile radiant and playful.All these time, Emily clung to Fiona, making the two of them inseparable, as if they shared an unbreakable bond. Emily's delicate features and ethereal outfits made her look like a fairy straight out of a painting, especially with her cute and playful hair accessories.
Fiona, on the other hand, was a bit taller than Emily.However, her wardrobe was filled with clothes that were sized based on what experts predicted Emily's height might be.
As a result, these smaller clothes didn't fit her properly.Combined with her strikingly beautiful appearance, the childish
hair clips only made her look even more out of place.
As they walked around together, whispers began to surface."You see, birth really matters, doesn't it?An adopted daughter will always be just that.Standing next to the real heiress, she just seems to lack something."
"Emily looks perfect in that white dress.
But the adopted one, trying to imitate her, just looks awkward and out of place."
"Their vibes are totally on different levels".
"Feels like a poor imitation, doesn't it?"
"That Fiona, she used to copy Emily on purpose.Now that Emily is back,she's still trying to imitate her.It's shameless."
"Absolutely."
These words, though faint, made their way into Fiona's ears.
Fiona's expression remained unchanged.
Emily's smile, however, grew even brighter.
Nora had a vague sense of what her daughter was thinking, but she just watched with a smile, not even considering stopping the gossip. Fiona was nothing more than a stand-in.Now that her precious daughter was back, who needed a substitute?
As long as Emily was happy, Julia couldn't care less about Fiona.