Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes, there was a man in a suit before me. He bowed respectfully, "Miss, please come back with us."

I nodded, got into the car, and glanced back at my adoptive mother, whom everyone called Auntie White.

Her eyes were filled with hatred. Growing up under a mother's hatred, anyone would lack a sense of security. I suddenly felt sorry for Phoebe.

Arriving at the Brooks Family home, in the beautiful villa stood two expectant adults, an impatient little boy, and a girl with a shadowy expression.

My biological mother, Amy Brooks, my biological father, Asher Brooks, the imposter, Harper Brooks, and my brother, Rowan Brooks.

I suddenly felt lucky; Phoebe sounds better than Harper.

Getting out of the car, Amy Brooks knelt down to look at me closely, sobbing softly, "Phoebe, baby, I'm sorry..."

I remember the original character standing stiffly, cautiously looking at Amy Brooks, and then being led into the villa in a daze, like a puppet. Amy Brooks was soon distracted by Harper's crying and had no time for the emotionless original character.

Though such a situation would scare any child, especially someone like Phoebe who had never been loved, it would easily erase her presence in the home.

Without expressing needs, she would soon be marginalized. When faced with guilt and love, one shouldn't resist or push away but should accept and enjoy what is rightfully theirs.

I teared up, crying softly, "Mom, I don't blame you, I don't blame you."

I looked at my cracked hands, dirty from long-term work, even after washing. I hesitated to hug Amy Brooks, fearing my dirtiness.

Who would refuse their pitiful, innocent daughter willing to wrong herself to be understanding? Especially since it was Amy Brooks's lack of supervision that led to my loss, she already felt guilty. Her eyes reddened, and she hugged me despite my dirty clothes.

The mother-daughter reunion was touching, except for the imposter, Harper Brooks.

"Mom, will you not love me anymore?" Harper suddenly asked, her voice timid, with eyes full of grievance, making her very endearing.

Though Harper wasn't their biological daughter, they lived together for over five years. People say distant relatives aren't as good as close neighbors, not to mention they always treated Harper as their own.

Amy Brooks, being soft-hearted, was quickly attracted to her.

Before she could act, I asked, "Mom, is she your baby too?"

Amy Brooks hesitated. Though Harper wasn't her biological daughter, she was afraid of hurting her, so she nodded, "Yes, she's... your sister."

Hearing this, my little face was full of earnestness, seriously saying, "Sister, not only does mom love you, but I will love you too."

A foster child afraid of losing the mother's love to her biological daughter, while the biological daughter says, I'm not here to take your mom, I'm here to love you like mom does.

How touching.

As expected, Amy Brooks's eyes filled with tears again, but I knew she wouldn't treat Harper the same as before. After all, that comparison showed Harper's narrow-mindedness.

Even my usually stoic CEO father, Asher Brooks, was full of affection as he patted my head after hearing my words.

Rowan Brooks's gaze softened towards me, only Harper glared at me viciously.

Phoebe was shocked, "Is this even possible?"

I laughed inside, "Sometimes being a bit fake can better protect yourself."