- Chapter 5: The Anniversary of Mother’s Death
- I waited for so long.
- Father did send someone with offerings, but Daniel never showed up.
- I called him—three times in a row—but got no answer.
- The fourth call was finally picked up, but it was Sophia’s voice on the other end.
- “Oh, Lauren? Did you need something from Daniel?”
- “Today is my mother’s anniversary.”
- “Oh, dear! It’s your sister’s anniversary? How could we forget?”
- “Our dog just had puppies today, and Daniel and Emily were so excited they completely lost track of time…”
- “By now, it’s probably too late to make it. What should we do?”
- “Auntie, who is it?”
- “It’s Lauren. She sounds upset. What should we do, Daniel?”
- “Lauren?” Daniel’s voice came through.
- I hung up without saying another word and blocked his number.
- On the tombstone, Mom smiled at me from the black-and-white photograph—gentle and loving.
- It was April, the most beautiful time of the year.
- Yet as I knelt there, I felt as though I had plunged into an icy abyss.
- I hugged the cold stone and kissed it.
- It’s okay. At least I’ll never forget you, Mom.
- When I returned from the lawyer’s office to my small house, I was surprised to see Vincent, Daniel, and Emily standing outside.
- Emily was nestled between the two men, smiling brightly as she held a massive bouquet.
- Daniel spoke first when he saw me.
- “Lauren, look at how amazing Emily is! Her design just won the International Design Award.”
- “I just wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps,” Emily said with fake humility.
- Vincent scoffed, flipping through the design sketches. “Follow her?”
- “She studied under a master and still never won anything.”
- “Talent is what matters, Emily. Don’t sell yourself short.”
- I couldn’t help but glance at the sketches in Vincent’s hand.
- My gaze narrowed as I stepped forward without thinking and snatched them from his grasp.
- Page after page—they were nearly identical to my original drafts.
- Emily had stolen my designs to win that award!
- “You stole my designs! Emily, how could you be so shameless?”
- Trembling with fury, I raised my hand to strike her.
- But before I could, Vincent seized my wrist with brutal force.
- Then came a sharp shove.
- I crashed to the ground, humiliated and in pain.
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