Chapter 1
At a jewelry competition, someone swapped my design with a missing antique. I was sentenced to five years in prison.
I didn’t know that my husband and son had designed all of this until I saw the video.
In the clip, my ten–year–old son looked up and asked, “Dad, I swapped Mom’s design, so Della could be the champion. Did she like it?”
Franklin spoke in a low, serious voice, “It’s your mom’s fault for being selfish. Della grew up with nothing. That award meant everything to her. Your mom already had everything, but still had to compete. She brought this on herself.”
I felt like my heart was bleeding. So all the agony I endured was handed to me–by the very people I loved the most.
“Dad, don’t worry. All these years, I played the part perfectly. That dumb woman had no idea.
“After Della’s birthday party in a few days, we’ll be able to be together for real.”
Franklin’s voice held a note of caution. “Be careful. Don’t slip up in front of her. We still need her to attend Della’s birthday party.
“Your grandpa will be revealing Della as the Mooney family’s second daughter that day. Your mom has to be there, or else rumors will fall on Della. With your mom attending, Della won’t get as much
attention.”
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But Sean didn’t care.
“With you around, who’s going to dare say anything?”
“Sean!” Franklin scolded him.
“Fine, fine, I’ll do what you want! I’ll tell her! As if she deserves that much face.
“If it wasn’t for Della, do you think someone like her, what right does some ex–con have to call herself my mom?”
1
I stared at the boy on the screen. He stood tall like a pine tree, but his eyes were cold and filled with disgust. He was nothing like the little boy who used to fall asleep in my arms
Every word from their mouths felt foreign and cruel.
Five years ago, I was taken away and put in jail because of what happened during the competition.
For all those days and nights, 1,800 in total, I suffered cruel treatment no one should ever go through.
When I got out, I found out that my mother had died from grief, and my father had long since disowned me publicly.
Wherever I went, people pointed and whispered, their judgment following me like a shadow.
Even the maids at home looked down on me, showing not a shred of
respect.
When I stood on a rooftop, ready to jump, it was Franklin and Sean who gently talked me down.
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They told me they believed in me, that they would make me right.
They stood in front of me, shielding me from cruel words and looks.
I saw them as the hope in my darkest days and gave them everything I
had.
But now, I found out that all my pain and loss in these five years was just to clear the path for a girl we sponsored out of charity.
Tears spilled like a flood, splashing across my phone screen.
I used to believe they cared about me, but now I realize they only helped out of pity after taking advantage of me.
I hurriedly hid my phone and ran into the study, like a wounded animal looking for a dark corner to hide.
When I stepped into the study, my eyes landed on a line of dolls sitting neatly on Franklin’s desk.
Each doll looked incredibly real, and they all had a small tear–shaped mole beneath the corner of their eye, identical to Della Sutton’s.
Franklin was a top–tier luxury designer. His dolls were legendary and priceless.
After we got married, I asked him to create one for me too, but he always brushed it off, saying he was too busy.
I never got even one, but Della received an entire collection.
It was never about time. I just wasn’t worth the effort.
All the dolls he made for her had gentle eyes and sweet smiles.
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I gripped one tightly, my hand trembling with rage.
Because he cares about her, she’s now famous and admired in the jewelry industry.
And? I’ve turned into the disgraced ex–con everyone spat on.
That night, Franklin and Sean came home.
Sean called me “Mom” like always, and Franklin brought back my
favorite dessert.
Moments that once warmed my heart now chilled me to the bone.
The following morning, once they left the house, I did too.
I took a cab to an old, forgotten swimming pool and found the storage locker I once thought I’d never need.
After typing in the code, I placed a note inside. It only had three simple
words.
“I regret it!”
That person once told me that if I regretted it, he would come and get me right away.
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