Chapter 69

Arabella saw Daisy's eyes welling up and gently stepped in to comfort her. "Daisy, you matter more to me than anything else. Trust me,compared to what I've been through, this is barely a bump in the road. Don't stress, okay?"

Daisy's brows furrowed with worry. "Have things really been that bad for you all this time?"

Arabella hesitated for a second, then gave a small, almost forced smile. "There are things I can't talk about right now. Not because I don't want to, but... I just can't. Still, I promise... I can handle it. I've always been able to. Okay?"

Daisy didn't push the issue. She nodded slowly,sensing that Arabella had her reasons.

But her eyes scanned Arabella's face and figure with worry. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Arabella gave a reassuring smile. "I'm alright,promise. Since you finally get a day out, let me show you something nice."

Daisy nodded again, this time with a bit more spirit.

It wasn't often Daisy got to go out, and everything around her seemed so new and interesting. Arabella led her to a high-end boutique, its elegant design exuding wealth and class. Daisy hesitated, shrinking back a little."Should we really go in? This place looks way too pricey."

"It's fine," Arabella said, tugging her along. "I've been working hard to earn enough for both of us. Didn't you see? I transferred some money to you a while ago. Why haven't you spent any of it?"

Daisy looked up with honest eyes. "Because I know how hard you work for it... and really, I haven't needed anything."

Arabella's smile faltered alittle. When she first saw Daisy earlier, she had immediately noticed her clothes-faded, outdated, and clearly secondhand. Even her undergarments looked old and worn-out. That quiet frugality tugged at her heart in the worst way.

She gently took Daisy's hand in hers, her voice

low but firm. "Everything I do-all the hustle,all the pain-it's so you can have more than this.If you don't let yourself live better, then what's the point of me doing any of it?"

Daisy's voice quivered as her eyes filled with tears. "Then don't push yourself so hard. I don't need much to be happy."

Arabella stared at her, briefly speechless. For once, she didn't have a comeback.

Daisy added with soft determination, "And once I get a job, it'll be my turn to take care of you."

That one sentence hit Arabella harder than anything else. Her chest tightened, but she smiled gently and gave Daisy's hands a soft squeeze. "I do it because I want to, Daisy," she said softly. "I know you'd never ask me to go through any of it, but if you told me to live some boring, average life? I'd say no in a heartbeat. This is what I chose. So if I'm out there doing everything I can, and you won't even enjoy any of it, then what's the point? It would mean nothing."

The truth was, Arabella hadn't really had much say in how her life played out, not since her talent was discovered. From that moment on,it

was like someone else had taken the wheel.

Daisy finally gave a tiny smile. "Okay,I understand. I'll do as you say."

Arabella grinned. "That's more like it. Come on."

The boutique was airy and elegant, with only a handful of quiet shoppers. Racks of beautifully tailored clothing lined the walls like artwork.

One of the sales assistants, her lips painted a bold red, was busy chatting on the phone. That was Kate Baxter.

"You absolutely have to stop by, Miss Hudson,"Kate said, her voice sweet and flattering."Everything's been prepared just for you. No one else gets this kind of service,you know."

As Kate continued her call, a younger assistant,Ruth Shannon, gently tapped her shoulder and whispered, "Kate, it's your rotation now."

Kate glanced over at the two girls who had just walked in. After giving them a quick once-over,she scoffed slightly and told Ruth, "You deal with them. I'm on the line with Miss Hudson-an actual customer."

Ruth hesitated, but when she saw Kate still giggling into her phone like she didn't have a care in the world, she decided to take the initiative and approached them with a polite smile. "Welcome! Can I assist you with anything today?"

"We're here for clothes," Arabella replied curtly.

"Of course, come this way," Ruth said, leading them inside.

Arabella guided Daisy around the store and picked out a few outfits for her to try.

Meanwhile, Kate finally finished her phone call.She glanced over and saw Daisy holding a bunch of clothes. With a sneer, she leaned toward Ruth and muttered, "Hurry up and get them out of here. They clearly can't afford this stuff."

Ruth didn't respond. She just gave a soft sigh,clearly annoyed by Kate's constant snobbish attitude.

Fortunately, before any more comments could be made, the entrance bell chimed again. Kate turned and suddenly brightened. "Oh my

goodness! Mr. Johnson, what a surprise!" she said cheerfully.

Arabella was sitting on the couch, looking at her phone. When she heard the name "Mr.Johnson," her head lifted quickly. The moment she saw his face, her expression turned cold.

Bob Johnson walked in proudly and said, "I'm here to pick out some gifts for my cousin."

Kate beamed and gushed, "I was just on the phone with your cousin! You two are so sweet.So,what are we shopping for today?"

Bob opened his mouth to respond, but then his eyes landed on Arabella.

He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was imagining it.

"Daisy?" he said slowly,completely shocked.

But the woman looked nothing like the shy girl he remembered.Her cold,sharp stare made him uneasy. This couldn't be Daisy. She seemed too confident, too powerful.

Just then, Daisy came out of the fitting room and called softly, "Bella."

She had a smile on her face until she saw Bob.Then her expression darkened, and her body started to shake a little with anger.

What was he doing here? Why now?

Bob looked at Daisy, finally realizing she was the one he knew. That meant the other woman,so calm and fierce, had to be her sister.

Twins? Now that was something

He remembered how Daisy had caught his eye the first day she worked at his store. She was beautiful, quiet, and graceful.

But he never expected her to have a twin sister.

Ideas started running through his head. If he could win over both sisters, his friends would be green with envy.