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The next day, Marshall and Avril, along with Evelyn’s five brothers, stayed home to prepare— they would finally exchange Evelyn for their daughter.
Evelyn didn’t say a word. She had already seen firsthand how cruel her foster parents and brothers could be.
“Evie, don’t blame us for being heartless. After all, we’re not your real parents. You should be with them,” Avril said when she noticed Evelyn’s silence, trying to console her.
“Yeah, not your birth daughter,” Evelyn murmured.
And because I’m not, they’ll go so far as to plan such a gruesome death for me. Dismemberment. Monsters— every one of them.
All along, she had been living among beasts dressed as people. Now, her heart carried nothing but hate.
When Henry saw her carrying a bag, he immediately barked, “Evelyn, nothing in this house belongs to you. You’re not taking a single thing away!”
At that, Evelyn tossed the bag to him. “Go ahead and check!”
Henry opened it and found nothing but a few changes of clothes, a couple of books, and an old copper mirror. That was all.
Seeing that nothing valuable was inside, Marshall tried to smooth things over. “Henry, she’s been your sister all these years. What’s the point of checking? Even if she took something, we wouldn’t hold it against her.”
Henry sneered. “Don’t be so sure. Her biological parents are dirt poor. I heard they raise pigs out in the countryside!”
Evelyn said nothing.
Soon, she and the Cirrus family drove for nearly three hours until they reached the countryside.
The Gulliver Residence sat at the edge of the city where developers hadn’t moved in yet. It was technically rural, though still close to the city.
Alba Gulliver was the Cirruses‘ real daughter, and at that moment, she kicked over a bucket of pig feed in irritation.
“Alba, what are you doing?” asked her foster mother, Penny Caldwell.
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“Hmph! My real parents are coming to get me. I’m the real heiress, the one who should’ve had all the riches. Instead, someone else took my place! You must’ve switched us on purpose, making me suffer in this family while your daughter enjoyed the good life!” Alba complained bitterly.
When she thought she’d be stuck in misery her whole life, suddenly she was told she belonged to a wealthy family instead. From then on, Alba’s head had been in the clouds.
Penny didn’t argue. The thought of the mix–up pained her too. How had something so outrageous happened? Regardless, she thought Alba had every right to resent them.
Before long, the Cirruses arrived, and Avril was stunned by the sight of the shabby surroundings. “My God! How could such a run–down place still exist? Even the road’s broken and covered in gravel. Just think how much my daughter must have suffered!”
In the car, everyone was full of sympathy for Alba–everyone except Evelyn, who stayed silent.
“Mom, we’re here. This is the house.” Henry pulled the car to the side.
With that, the Cirruses piled out of the vehicle.
“My daughter! My poor daughter, you’ve suffered so much!” Avril rushed forward to embrace Alba.
She looks exactly like me! No need for a DNA test to tell anyone this is my girl! No wonder I always thought Evelyn didn’t look like me.
When Alba saw her real parents, her eyes lit up. The luxury car, the grand arrival—it almost brought her to tears.
“Mom, Dad, you finally came for me. I’ve had enough of this life… I can’t take it anymore…”
Her new brothers also crowded around to welcome their real sister.
“Alba, from now on, you’re Alba Cirrus. You’re no longer a Gulliver, and you have nothing to do with the Gulliver family anymore,” Marshall said gently, his voice full of pity.
Alba nodded eagerly. At last, she was finally leaving this place behind,
Watching the affectionate family reunion before her, Evelyn only felt it was bitterly ironic, and hatred surged within her.
“Alba, my precious daughter, you’ve suffered enough. Don’t worry, from now on, we’ll make it up to you. Everything you want will be yours,” Avril said tenderly before ushering Alba into the
car.
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“Alba!” Penny rushed after them. Seeing the girl that she had raised for 18 years leave just like that tore at her heart.
Alba shot her a hard glare. “Don’t call out to me. She’s my real mother!”
Avril added sharply, “We’ve already returned your daughter to you. She’s right there. Don’t covet my Alba!”
With that, the luxury car sped away.
Penny turned and looked at Evelyn, whose face was cold and distant. She felt like she was looking at a stranger–after all, she had never laid eyes on her real daughter before.
Still, she couldn’t help herself. She pulled Evelyn into her arms.
“Your name is Evelyn, right? I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. It was my fault I lost you back then…” Penny’s voice broke.
This is my real daughter…
Evelyn had seen the paternity test the Cirrus family provided. She had no doubts.
“Mom…” she whispered softly.
“Good girl! Come inside with me.” Penny took her by the hand and led her into the house.
One glance around told Evelyn everything. The place was truly run–down. It was more than 20 years old, and could be summed up in three words: dirty, messy, shabby.
Penny lowered her head, her voice filled with shame. “Evie, I need to be honest with you.
“I know you lived a pampered life before, but now… well, look around. This is what we have. You have two older brothers and an older sister. You’re the fourth child, and there’s a younger brother still in high school. Our family can’t compare to the Cirruses.”
“I understand. I won’t complain,” Evelyn replied evenly.
Right now, she didn’t feel much toward this family. But deep down, she had already made a vow. She would make the Cirruses regret everything. They would pay the price. And as for the Gullivers, she would help them live a better life.
Fortunately, she had always kept her true abilities hidden, never letting the Cirruses see through her. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have given her up so easily.
“Penny! Penny, has Alba left?” A man’s voice called from inside the house.
Penny hesitated, then led Evelyn in.
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“She’s gone,” Penny answered.
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The man let out a heavy sigh. “She didn’t even come to see me one last time…”
“Don’t dwell on it. She’s gone to live the good life. Her real parents showed up in a luxury car, and she couldn’t wait to cut ties with us. Eighteen years of raising her… all for nothing.”
At that, Penny glanced at Evelyn beside her. “At least our real daughter has come home. Look, this is Evie–our daughter! Evie, this is your father. He had an accident years ago, which left him paralyzed on one side. He’s been bedridden ever since.”
Now, Evelyn finally understood why Alba hated this home so much. Life here was hard. With a paralyzed father and struggling conditions, how could Alba not prefer the glamorous Cirrus family?
“Dad,” Evelyn greeted softly.
Wyatt Gulliver’s eyes welled up when he saw his biological daughter. He reached out a trembling hand. Evelyn walked over and clasped it in her own.
“Child… I’m just glad you’re back. But our family is poor, and your old man’s half–paralyzed. I must be an embarrassment to you. I only hope you won’t despise us…‘
“1
“Of course not, Dad. I don’t despise you. May I take a look at your legs?”
Wyatt blinked in surprise, unable to respond.
“If she wants to see, let her,” Penny urged quickly and then lifted the blanket.
Evelyn pressed gently on Wyatt’s leg. “Dad, do you feel anything here?”
“No.”
“What about here?”
“A little.”
“And here?”
“Alright, I have a good idea now,” she concluded after a few more questions. “Your legs actually still have a chance of recovery, Dad. Don’t lose hope.”
Send Gifts
10
