Chapter 18
Their mother walked in behind Leona, immediately pulling the girl into her arms when she saw her teary–eyed expression.[]
What’s wrong, sweetheart? Did someone upset you?“[]
Their father and Cameron swarmed around Leona like she was their precious princess.]
Vivienne watched the three people who were supposedly here to pick her up completely ignore her existence. Her heart sank.[]
Maybe realizing how bad this looked, their mother quickly introduced Leona.[]
“Viv, meet Leona. We adopted her a few years ago. She’s your sister now.“[]
“You’re the big sister, honey. You’ll need to look out for her.“[]
Their mother took both girls‘ hands, trying to force some kind of bonding moment.[]
Staring at this girl who looked like a younger version of herself, Vivienne finally got it.[]
“So this is your big surprise?“[]
She yanked her hand away, unable to hide her hurt.]
“Does my sister not like me?” Leona’s voice wobbled with perfect vulnerability..]]
Cameron’s face darkened as he turned on Vivienne. “Viv! Where are your manners? Leona’s family now. You can’t just be a bitch to
her.”
Vivienne couldn’t believe her own brother was scolding her for someone.[]
“I don’t want her as family! I spent five years in a coma because I saved your lives, and you get yourself a replacement daughter? Then you expect me to just smile and accept it?“]]
The question hung in the air like a slap. Nobody knew what to say.[]
“If she doesn’t want me here, maybe I should just go back to foster care. I’m just grateful you let me be part of a real family for a while.“]
Leona’s reverse psychology worked like a charm. Any guilt their mother felt toward Vivienne evaporated instantly.[]
“Vivienne! She’s your sister now whether you like it or not.“[]
“We’re the parents here. You don’t get a vote.“]
Vivienne felt like she was drowning. These couldn’t be the same people who’d raised her.[]
Dominic pulled her close. “It’s okay, Viv. I’m here.“[]
He was literally all she had left. “Dom, please. Just get me out of here.“[]
She couldn’t breathe in that room for another second.[]
and for Wang Work Terminal Catiom I’m Dune Having any Games
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Chapter 18
Dominic glared at the Carringtons, his voice ice–cold. “She’s your actual daughter. Your blood. She almost died for you people, and this is the thanks she gets?”
“If you won’t appreciate her, I will.“]]
He walked out with Vivienne without looking back.[]
In the car, she finally fell apart.]]
She couldn’t wrap her head around how the people who’d loved her her whole life had become strangers overnight.[]
Two sentences from Leona, and suddenly she was the villain.[]
“Dom, you’re all I have left.“[]
Seeing her pain, Dominic’s chest felt like it was caving in. In his past life, he’d been just as brainwashed as the rest of them. He’d chosen Leona too.
The guilt was eating him alive.[]
But he had a second chance now. He could fix this.]
“Don’t cry, Viv. I love you. I’ll always be here.“[]
He drove her to their place–the apartment they’d been planning to share.
The moment she walked through the door, Vivienne gasped.]]
Soft lighting filtered through colorful balloons, casting rainbow shadows on the walls. The whole space felt magical and intimate.]]
Her favorite songs played softly in the background, filling the air with love.
A trail of balloons led from the entrance toward the living room like a pathway to paradise.]
In the center of the room, dozens of candles formed a perfect heart shape.
The flames flickered gently, like beating hearts telling the story of his devotion.[]
Inside the candle heart sat a bouquet of perfect red roses, dewdrops still clinging to the petals.]
More rose petals scattered around the display, crimson silk against golden candlelight–pure magic.
Photos of them together decorated every corner–their smiling faces capturing years of happiness.
Some hung in elegant frames, others scattered across surfaces like a timeline of their love story.[]
Her collection of stuffed animals stood guard like tiny sentinels protecting this perfect moment.[]
Standing in the middle of all that love, Vivienne felt her shattered heart start to piece itself back together.]
“Viv, will you marry me?“]]
Dominic dropped to one knee, looking up at her like she was his religion.[]
“Yes. Of course, yes.“]
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Chapter 18
The proposal that had never happened in his first life was finally perfect.[]
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.