I felt lost, overwhelmed by the truth I had spent my whole life trying to understand.
Paxton’s eyes flickered with hesitation before he came over and took my hand.
“Leah, just get the surgery done. I’ll take you to Iceland afterward, okay? You’ve always wanted to go, haven’t you?”
I instinctively stepped back. Even now, his promises weren’t for me or his pity for me. They were still for Georgina.
“You knew this all along, didn’t you?”
I looked straight into his eyes, desperately searching for an answer. However, reality hit me harder than any truth ever could.
After a brief pause, Paxton nodded.
I refused to agree.
“Leah!” For the first time, Paxton’s expression darkened. “Just listen to me. I won’t abandon you.”
Still, I was stubborn.
The well-dressed woman—my so-called mother—had lost all patience. She stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
“Do you not understand? This surgery is happening, whether you like it or not! Let’s not waste our breath. Watch her carefully. She’s not to leave this place before the operation.”
Paxton didn’t argue. His eyes were now filled with disappointment.
The three of them left, locking me inside Paxton’s apartment. They even stationed guards at the door.
I curled up on the cold floor, my cheek still burning from the slap.
We were both their daughters. Yet, one was pampered and sheltered, given everything she ever wanted, while the other was discarded like trash, left to fend for herself.
Should I blame my parents for being so heartless, or should I blame fate for choosing me as the cursed one?
Life at the orphanage was tough. Since I was little, I had held onto one dream—to find my parents and have a home. I never wanted riches or power but just a family that loved me.
Now that I had finally met my parents, I knew, once and for all, that I would never have that kind of home.
The next day, Sam appeared at the apartment. For a brief, foolish moment, I thought he had come to save me, but I was wrong.
“Leah, just go through with the surgery,” he said softly. “We won’t abandon you.”
His tone was gentle, careful not to upset me.
As I was too exhausted to feel anything anymore, I didn’t respond, and Sam didn’t try to convince me further. There was no need to either. The surgery was tomorrow, and I had no way to escape.
I was forced onto the operating table, with Sam and Paxton standing beside me. Their faces were calm and devoid of guilt.
As my consciousness faded, memories of my lonely years flashed through my mind.
