Chapter 190

Thus,Kaia buried herself in books, fearing that, if she faltered, she would be discarded just as Verena once had been.

As she grew old enough to understand the patterns,she began staging little "coincidences" to please her parents.

Whenever they secured a business deal, her presence seemed to turn fortune in their favor.

Only then could she breathe easy, wearing the title of their lucky star, shielded from rejection.

But the day she learned Verena was being brought back, a storm of unease rose in her chest.

She feared her parents saw no more use in her, so they had gone to the countryside to reclaim Verena and groom her instead-preparing to abandon Kaia.

That fear was why she had grown so anxious,why she schemed against Verena with such restless urgency, hoping to drive her away.

Kaia admitted to herself at last: her hostility had been born not of malice, but of fear-fear of being replaced.

Yet at the root of it all stood Alec and Laura.

Had they given her the same security they lavished on Luka, would she ever have fought so bitterly against Verena's return?

In the end, Kaia saw clearly: Verena's coldness toward her was merely the harvest of her own sowing.

Had she not struck first, Verena would never have retaliated. Every slight she suffered was but the echo of her own actions.

So often, when we dislike someone, we fail to trace back the cause and effect-until it is far too late.

Now that Kaia knew Verena was Evelyn, her idol of many years, she understood everything in painful clarity.

Verena had not been wrong. She should never have been harmed. Grasping that truth, Kaia drew in a deep breath.

Moreover, she realized, Katelyn had been nothing more than a manipulator using her as a pawn.

Kaia had already erred too many times. She could not afford to carry the weight of a crime on top of her guilt.

Lowering her gaze to the phone in her hand, she made a silent decision.

When Verena returned home, Rhonda hurried toward her.

In a hushed voice, she said, "Mrs. Bennett,your sister is here. I told her you weren't available, but she refused to leave and insisted on waiting. I didn't know what else to say."

Ever since Kaia had moved out of Seraphina Villas,Isaac had instructed the staff to find excuses to turn her away if she ever appeared again. Verena cast a glance toward the living room, and then said softly, "I understand. You may return to your work."

Rhonda nodded and quietly went back to polishing the hallway railings.

Verena walked toward Kaia, arms folded, eyes lowered.

Her voice came out cool and sharp. "What's your purpose this time?"

She remained standing, deliberately refusing to sit,making it clear she had no intention of indulging in a drawn-out conversation.

Her tone dripped with sarcasm-words that, once upon a time, would have provoked Kaia into a fiery retort.

But now, things had changed. This was Evelyn-her idol, the figure she had admired for years. How could she answer back?

All Kaia could do was regret the wrongs she had done.

Biting her lip, she whispered with remorse, "Verena, I won't hurt you anymore..."

The words made Verena's stomach turn; disgust rippled through her like a sudden chill.

" won't waste another moment on this farce," she replied indifferently, turning toward the stairs.

Panic seized Kaia, and she blurted out, "Evelyn wait!"

Verena stopped reflexively and turned her gaze upon her.11SO1you've seen the news too?"

Kaia nodded earnestly, speaking in a rush. "Yes, l know you're Evelyn-that's why I have to warn you.Katelyn is plotting to kidnap you. Please, be careful."

Her words tumbled out with urgency, her emotions laid bare.

But Verena only stared in silence, her eyes fixed on Kaia,offering nothing in return. Just as Kaia was about to repeat herself, Verena stepped closer, looming over her.

After a pause, she gave a cold chuckle. "Kaia, you and Katelyn are working together. Do you really think I'd swallow your lies? Rhonda, see her out."

She turned to leave without hesitation.

Seeing Verena truly meant to walk away, Kaia's heart clenched. With no time left to think, she dropped to her knees.

Rhonda, startled, looked at Verena in confusion."Mrs.Bennett,she..."

Verena frowned slightly at the sight. "What performance is this now?"

Kaia's fists tightened at her sides, her head bowed low. "I'm sorry. I admit it-I feared you'd steal Mom and Dad's love, so I targeted you from the very beginning, trying to force you out. I came to you not just because you are Verena, but because you are Evelyn." She lifted her gaze, eyes brimming with sincerity."Because you're Evelyn, I cannot harm you-and I wvill :not let anyone else harm you either. You may doubt Verena's sister, but you cannot ignore Evelyn's fan."

Something flickered across Verena's eyes, though skepticism still lingered.

Seeing her hesitation, Kaia spoke quickly, almost pleading. "Do you remember a letter you received three years ago? The sender signed as 'Grace.' I never imagined someone as remarkable as you would read it-let alone reply-but you did."

Three years ago, when Kaia was drowning in self-doubt, she had watched Luka bathe effortlessly in their parents' love, while she struggled endlessly for scraps of affection.

The pressure had gnawed at her, leaving her restless,sleepless.

Evelyn had been her only refuge.

Knowing Evelyn was in a hospital in Clokron, Kaia had poured her pain into a letter and sent it.

She confessed that she felt powerless,unloved-that her parents cherished only the "luck" she seemed to bring them.

But as time passed, she no longer knew how to create such lucky coincidences to prove her worth.

She had assumed someone as extraordinary as Evelyn would be buried in countless letters every day, and hers would vanish into the pile. She had never held out hope.

But then, one day...