Chapter 4
As Suzanne sipped her tea, she caught side of a shadow out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head, her gaze met Shea’s.
Her expression changed.
Startled, Suzanne blurted out, “Shea!”
At that sound, the two people cuddled up on the couch froze and sprang apart.
Even though Shea had long known that no one really cared about her, the sight still sent a jolt of pain through her chest.
Suzanne felt deeply guilty when she saw Shea. Although Shea wasn’t her biological daughter, it was impossible not to feel anything at all after all those years together.
But the moment she thought about how Aria had suffered for years because of the baby switch, resentment inevitably crept in.
The clash of guilt and bitterness left Suzanne unsure of how to face Shea.
Especially right now, with her real daughter and Shea’s fiance wrapped in each other’s arms, and Shea just walking in on them.
Caught red-handed, Lance felt a twinge of guilt. Only then did he suddenly remember that today was supposed to be his wedding day with Shea.
But before Lance or Suzanne could say anything, a syrupy sweet voice rang out first.
Aria stood up from the couch, putting on an innocent expression as she walked toward Shea. ‘ Shea, don’t misunderstand, okay? It’s not what you think it is!”
Shea stared at her blankly.
”
She’d heard enough of Aria’s fake-sweet tone these past few days to last a lifetime. Aria always used the same lines over and over again, without a hint of creativity.
Aria finally seemed to notice the wedding dress Shea was wearing, and blinked like she’d never seen one before. “Shea, your dress looks so flashy today! Are you going to some kind of event?” she
asked.
The corner of Shea’s mouth twitched. She tried to hold it in, but she couldn’t anymore. “It’s a
wedding dress.”
Was that idiot going to pretend that she’d never seen one before?
“What? A wedding dress?” Aria gasped, covering her mouth in feigned surprise.
Then, she put on an expression of sudden realization. “Right, today’s your wedding day! But, Shea, what are you doing here?”
X CLOSE
Shea was utterly speechless.
What now? Shea really wanted to hit Aria.
Then, Aria exclaimed in shock as she looked between Shea and Lance. “Right! Lance is the groom, but he’s here with me…”
So fake. So painfully fake.
What hurt even more was the fact that no one else in the room seemed to notice.
Shea laughed in anger. “Aria, what’s with the act? You ruined my wedding. Are you proud of that?”
If Aria hadn’t sent and deleted that video right away, Shea would have thrown it right in her face.
Aria looked pitiful and teary-eyed. “Shea, what are you talking about? I’m not pretending! You know I’ve had a hard life and poor health since I was young. I fainted, and Lance took me to the hospital. I never knew things would turn out like this…”
As she spoke, she started to sob.
Seeing her cry, Lance’s heart instantly softened. He completely forgot about explaining things to Shea as he went straight to comforting Aria, wrapping her protectively in his arms.
Then, he turned to glare at Shea. “Shea, stop it! You know Aria’s not well. She fainted, so of course I had to take care of her! Why are you being so unreasonable?”
“Lance, don’t be mad at Shea for my sake. I’m fine…” Aria murmured weakly in his arms.
Lance only felt more sorry for her. His tone grew harsher as he looked at Shea. “See that? Aria’s so understanding! She’s not feeling well, but she’s still defending you! And look at you. What kind of sister are you supposed to be?”
Aria stared at him like he was an idiot.
How had she never realized before just how stupid this man was?
Suzanne chimed in, “Exactly, Shea. Aria’s in such poor shape already. Can’t you just let her be?”
She’d felt guilty before, but watching her biological daughter cry and tremble so delicately made
her heart ache.
Aria had suffered so much over the years. Was it really too much for Shea to give way to her younger sister? After all, she’d been living Aria’s life of comfort all this time.
Shea laughed coldly. “Fine, I get it.”
Disappointment washed over her completely. Without another word, she turned and walked to the TV cabinet. Then, she pulled out a document folder from the bottom drawer.
Inside were Aria’s medical reports from childhood. They were records Shea had secretly
investigated after being framed by Aria and seeing Aria’s true colors.
Every single report showed that Aria had been perfectly healthy all along.
X CLOSE
She’d been stronger than an ox, so why was she acting so frail?
Shea threw the documents onto the coffee table. “Take a look for yourselves! See for yourselves if her body’s really as weak as she claims.”
Aria’s face turned pale at the sight of the papers.
When had Shea investigated her?
Suzanne and Lance both froze for a moment, then Suzanne picked up the papers.
The more she read, the darker her face grew.
Lance’s expression shifted from confusion to shock.
Aria’s records showed perfect health. She never suffered from anemia, hypoglycemia, malnutrition, or anything else.
Aria’s face drained of color. “Lance, Mom, I…”
Suzanne threw the papers onto the table, and the loud sound made Aria flinch.
Suzanne glared at Aria.
She asked in a serious tone, “Aria, tell me the truth. Are these real? Have you been lying to us? Have you been faking your illness all this time?”
