Chapter 4

Tears welled up in my eyes uncontrollably. I quietly turned my head away, not wanting anyone to notice.

My dad Mark was a celebrated calligrapher. Since being reunited with the family and officially recognized as his daughter, there were times when I, in private, pleaded with him for one of his calligraphic works or paintings. But he would always turn me down with a smile, saying gently, "I haven't written for ages. I'm all out of practice. Just forget it."

It dawned on me that it wasn't that his skills had grown rusty. The truth was, he just wasn't willing to create anything for me.

Georgia went on. "And these sweaters, make sure you wash them in cold water. Mrs. Tess Anderson knitted every single stitch for Mr. Finn Hawkins with so much care. I heard that even her own daughter didn't get treated like this."

I chose to remain silent and didn't pick up on that conversation. Presumably, the bitterness inside me was so overwhelming that I had lost the ability to speak.

I felt like a thief, greedily longing for the affection that slipped out from Georgia's idle chitchat, secretly peeking at the happiness that belongs to others. Actually, Evelyn was right. I was the one who was unloved.

Georgia kept on speaking, "And these photos here, they're all of Mr. Hawkins and his family at various times. He checks them out a lot. You gotta wipe them clean real carefully, frames and all, you know."

My gaze flitted across each and every one of those photos. In every single phase of their lives, Jonas had always been there, never once missing out on the important moments.

As for me, I had nothing to show for our relationship but a solitary wedding photo. It was a stark contrast to their collection of memories. When I had tentatively brought up the subject of our lack of photos together, he had merely brushed it off with the excuse that he wasn't fond of taking pictures.

A pang of bitterness welled up inside me. I bowed my head and tugged my mask up more forcefully, desperately trying to hide the tears that had already welled up and dampened my face.

Before I could even pull myself together, a sound came from the doorway.

Georgia looked at me and said, "Looks like they are back from the amusement park. I'd better hurry over to the kitchen and check how it goes. Alright, pick up your stuff and go get busy."

In the foyer, Finn was snuggled up in Jonas' arms. Whatever it was that he had murmured, it had both Jonas and Evelyn doubling over with laughter. Then the nanny took Finn away to change his clothes.

Hiding in the shadow of the pillars, I listened intently to the conversation between them.

Evelyn uttered, "Jonas, I know that Finn's arrival was an accident. Back then, I just couldn't hold myself back, and, well, we had him. And you've been so good to us, taking care of us and staying by our side all these years. But now, he's growing up, and I don't want him to always have to hide like this."

Jonas wavered for quite a while. In the end, he reached out, took her hand, and gently drew her into his embrace, murmuring soothingly, "No, he won't. Just don't go and make a fuss in front of Renata, okay? As for the rest, I'll sort it out.

Just relax and take Finn to his birthday party. We have already cooked up some excuses. Renata won't find out."

I was shocked in a flash.

In the past, Jonas had always been harsh and stern with Evelyn. Back then, he swore his love for me with unwavering determination. When it came to Evelyn's underhanded act of drugging him, he was full of contempt, and he saw her with intense loathing, warning her harshly not to meddle in our relationship ever again and that he didn't want to lay eyes on her anymore.

I actually believed him and opted to forgive him, pretending to be oblivious. Never did I expect that it was all nothing but deceitful lies.

I couldn't stomach staying there a moment longer. Gripping the voice recorder and mini camera in my grasp, I spun on my heel and made my way to the backyard, intending to get out of there as quickly as possible. Little did I expect that, upon emerging, I would bump into Jonas.

The moment my eyes met this familiar face, a throbbing pain, dull yet intense, coursed through me, yanking at my very core and nearly causing my knees to buckle. I instinctively grabbed onto the railing at my back to steady myself, then lowered my head in a show of respect, holding my breath as I waited for him to walk past.

However, after just a couple of steps, he suddenly wheeled around and came back. His eyes fixed on me, burning with scrutiny as he asked, "Are you new here? I don't recall seeing you. Why are you wearing a mask?"