Chapter 358

S31 101. Emotional Outburst

“W-what do you mean? Why did you say that?” Ava’s voice was hoarse. Her throat felt dry.

Suddenly, Eva poked her shoulder. “If you didn’t come back, Mom and Dad would only love me. I was their only daughter. I wouldn’t be under anyone’s shadow.”

“Do you realize what you said?” Ava’s voice grew shakier. Her lips trembled violently. Her eyes turned red to suppress the emotions in

her chest.

“Yes, I’m well aware. I’ve been holding this for a long time. Why didn’t you just die when you were kidnapped? Why did you come back when I was comfortable with my new family, hmm? Why?”

Unexpectedly, a slap landed on Eva’s cheek. The girl gasped. She never expected that Ava, who was always submissive, could turn against her.

“You’ve gone too far, Eva. All this time, I’ve been very patient with you.

You think it’s not difficult to be me?”

Ava’s tone also rose even though the volume was still under control.

“I have fought tooth and nail to return to my parents. I was only twelve years old when I had to jump from a boat, drifting in the sea by only holding on to a box. When I reached the land, I still had to struggle to find my way went home. And apparently, the people there spoke a language I didn’t understand.”

While gritting her teeth, she leaned forward so Eva could see the red streaks in her eyes more clearly.

“Several months later, after I managed to return, someone had

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occupied my room. My wardrobe, my table, my bed-all was full of things that didn’t belong to me. My own things… had been put in. storage. Dusty.”

Eva’s breath hitched. She could smell the thick scent of anger. However, as best she could, she held her feet so as not to be pushed back by fear.

“Not only that, she also called my parents Mom and Dad,” Ava

snorted in disgust. “But I tried to be patient. I learned to accept her as my little sister. I learned to share everything I had with her. Then what?

Ava raised her eyebrows and chin. “That person turned out to be ungrateful. She kept cornering me, pushing me around until I finally chose to step back. Are you still not aware?”

Ava poked Eva in return. “You have taken my mother’s love, my position, my life. Have I ever complained all this time?”

Ava shook her head slowly. “No. I let my mother defend you. I left my father’s inheritance in your hands. Why do you think you could build your boutique? That’s because I felt sorry for you. Because I thought you wouldn’t be able to stand alone. You are not as strong as I am.”

Eva gritted her teeth. Her nose flared with anger.

“You finally took off your mask? Is this the real you?” While laughing ugly, Eva folded her arms in front of her chest. “Why didn’t you reveal everything earlier? About you hate me and don’t like my presence.”

“I never hated you, Eva. I tried to accept you, but you avoided. I even gave you everything I had, but you never had enough. What should I do so that you can realize that I really consider you a sister?”

Eva shook her head slightly. “Sisters will never bring each other down.”

“Sisters won’t suffer when others live a happy life. And you need to

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remember, it wasn’t me who brought you down, but you yourself brought yourself down. When you refused to pay for Mom’s treatment, did I say anything? I didn’t do anything either. Nothing. So stop putting the blame on me! Your customers stay away because they know your character.”

Eva’s hands clenched tighter. Her breath rumbled. “You-”

“Come to your senses!” Ava interrupted firmly. “Envy is a bottomless well. You can’t fill it with anything. The empty space inside will never be full.”

Pursing her mouth, Ava patted Eva’s shoulder. “Please remember once again. I never expected you to fall. I just want you to change. Stop considering me a rival. We are sisters.”

A second later, Ava turned to face the door. She didn’t want Jeremy and the others to worry if they were gone too long.

However, as soon as she passed the door, her steps froze. Her eyes were glued to the woman sitting in a wheelchair with two toddlers standing by her side.

“Mom?” Ava blinked.

Eva, who was some distance behind her, gasped. “Mom?” She checked in the direction her sister was looking, but it was blocked by

a wall.

Meanwhile, Louis and Emily stepped forward with fearful

expressions. “Sorry, Ava. We didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Mrs. Connor wanted to see you. So we helped her push the wheelchair.”

Far behind them, Jeremy leaned against the wall. He looked busy with his phone. However, Ava knew he must have heard everything.

“Mom, why are you here? You haven’t finished eating yet.”

Mrs. Connor raised her finger briefly. “I want to talk to Eva.”

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Ava blinked stiffly. A tight feeling pressed against her heart. “Then, let me take you. Louis, Emily, you can go to the dining room. I’ll be right along.”

“Okay, Ava.” The twins walked towards Jeremy. They occasionally looked back. Ava apparently stopped on the back porch.

“You go,” Mrs. Connor said quietly.

Ava raised an eyebrow. But after hesitating, she finally stepped away.

At that time, Eva approached her mother. Her steps were timid, her expression stiff. “Did you hear everything, Mom?”

Instead of nodding, Mrs. Connor raised one hand. “Come here.”

Eva was stunned. “Aren’t you angry with me? You weren’t disappointed after finding out that I refused to pay for your treatment?

“It’s okay. That’s normal. My treatment costs are expensive.”

Ava stopped her step. Her lips released a sigh of disbelief.

Meanwhile, Eva hugged their mother while sobbing. “Oh, Mom It’s not that I didn’t want you to get better. I just want to make moved to take care of you.”

“It’s okay, Darling. I’m sorry if you and your sister fought because my attitude. I never intended to show favoritism.”

Not wanting her pain to increase, Ava followed the twins and Jeremy with wide strides. Her chest was tight, her eyes were hot. She didn’t expect her mother to still defend Eva.

Luckily, when she arrived at the dining room, everyone greeted her as if nothing had happened.

“Ava, we’ve had dessert, but you haven’t finished your appetizer yet.

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Come on, sit down!” Kara nodded with a gentle smile. She didn’t seem

interested in the sadness on Ava’s face.

“Mommy, where’s my food? It hasn’t been thrown away, right?” Louis crawled up into his chair. —”Oh, my pudding has arrived.”

“Mommy, didn’t I tell you I wanted pink pudding? Why did I get. chocolate?” Emily furrowed her brows when she saw her special pudding.

“Sorry, Emily. Grandma Melanie took it by mistake earlier.” Kara grimaced.

“Didn’t Grandma eat pudding earlier?”

Melanie wiped her mouth with a casual gesture. “It turns out that wasn’t enough. No need to complain, Emily. Just eat what you have.”

Emily’s lips pursed. “Next time, Grandma can’t just take it. I’ve been waiting for that pudding since yesterday.”

While the grandmother and grandchild continued to argue, Ava took her previous seat. It felt strange, but also warm. She was relieved they chose not to ask about her condition. Sometimes, neglecting was the most appropriate form of caring.

Suddenly, Frank’s phone rang. When he checked it, his eye

Kara noticed that.

“What’s wrong, Frank?”

Frank blinked. With a high arch of eyebrows, he showed his pho