Chapter 7

Lucas also offered a gift, smiling brightly:

"Sister, your reunion anniversary is in three days. This necklace is just a small token; wear it for now."

"A bigger surprise awaits in three days."

I opened it to find a beautiful butterfly hair accessory, its transparent wings poised to fly.

Lucas said tenderly:

"Your early life was lived in darkness. For your later life, brother hopes you can emerge from your cocoon like a butterfly, flying freely without any constraints."

"With me, your father, as your foundation, my daughter will surely have a lifetime of happiness."

Mr. Davies also declared confidently.

"Mom and Dad, I won't let Iris suffer either. Not ever in this life."

Julian gazed at me with loving eyes.

My fingers, clutching the butterfly, turned white. I wore a perfect smile on my face.

But inside, a huge hole had opened, and a small figure was silently weeping.

What a picture of happiness: a loving family for their daughter, and a devoted husband for his wife.

See how happy I am!

Loved by so many!

I had never doubted their love for me, which is why when I discovered their deception, it was so impossible to accept.

"Thank you, Mom, Dad, and brother."

"I look forward to your gifts in three days."

My smile was sweet, but my eyes were empty. No one noticed, they all thought I was genuinely happy.

After breakfast, I excused myself to my bedroom to catch up on sleep. The moment I closed the bedroom door, Serena's call came in:

"Hahahaha, you heard it last night, didn't you!"

"Mom and Dad never forgot me. The affection we shared for over a decade, how could a latecomer like you compare?"

"You probably don't know this, do you? During the years I was abroad, Mom, Dad, and Lucas came to visit me every year!"

I looked at the various photos and videos Serena sent me. They had taken pictures together at famous landmarks all over the world. What a happy family!

And I, happy as I was, felt utterly superfluous!

My head buzzed, a cacophony of voices. I couldn't hear anything Serena was saying, only my own distant voice:

"I don't want their love anymore. It's all yours!"

I calmly hung up the phone, feeling strangely clear-headed, excited, yet with a hint of self-destruction...

I stood in the center of the bedroom, surveying it. This room was painstakingly decorated by Mrs. Davies after I was found.

The large shelf against the wall was filled with gifts they had given me over the years.

I had carefully kept them all.

After standing before these gifts for a while, I threw all these once-treasured items into a box. As the shelf emptied,

I felt my connection to this world grow even weaker.

Struggling, I carried the large box out. Passing the living room, Mrs. Davies asked curiously:

"Iris, what are you doing?"

"Just throwing out some unnecessary things..."

I gave a faint smile, walked straight out of the villa, and tossed the box into the trash, severing the last thread of familial affection.

"Let's go home."

I found Julian and said earnestly.

I had once thought the Davies estate was my last haven. Peeling back the veneer of pretense, I realized,

From the very beginning, I had no home. I was always a rootless duckweed, drifting through the world.

"Didn't you say you'd stay for two days? Who upset you?"

"Serena? Does she dare to show her face in front of you?"

Julian put down his laptop, asking gently, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.

"No, she didn't dare show her face in front of me."

I said softly. Serena only dared to provoke me from behind my back.

"It's just that I miss our little home. That's my real home."

*Actually, I've never had a home.*