Chapter 3

Using "building our bond" as an excuse, I got the real heir's contact information.

Mrs. Anderson's loving smile was almost impossible to contain.

"Yes, yes, yes, definitely build that bond. After all, you two will be living together from now on."

I searched for the real heir's profile.

Then I noticed her profile picture was completely black, without even a username or a personalized bio.

I gasped.

I couldn't imagine.

How much that poor girl must have suffered these past few years.

She was a vibrant young woman, in the prime of her life.

Yet, she had been forced into a persona that screamed "hardened and cold, do not disturb."

Filled with immense guilt, I sent her a message: [Hi Julian, I'm Daisy.]

She replied instantly.

Her tone, just as Mrs. Anderson had said, was cold and distant:

[I know. They told me.]

See?

Referring to her own parents as "them."

It was clear she had suffered emotional trauma related to family.

So, she kept her guard up with anyone trying to get close.

My heart genuinely ached for her:

[Oh, baby, it's all my fault. I've been living in your shoes and enjoying all these perks for so many years…]

Julian:

[No need to apologize.]

[You were adopted, so you didn't 'take' my place.]

I froze.

Who says beautiful flowers can't bloom in barren soil?

This fragile girl, who had endured so much hardship, not only held no resentment but also empathetically offered me an excuse.

I was so moved I almost teared up:

[Baby, you're so kind.]

[Baby, starting today, I'm your family. Don't worry, I'll definitely be good to you.]

[Wuwuwu, love you, love you, kisses, mwah mwah mwah…]

Julian replied with six dots: [...]

After a pause.

Another message popped up:

[Don't call me that.]

Me: [What? Call you what?]

This time.

Julian's side was silent for a full ten minutes before replying:

[Just, just 'baby'…]

Me: [Why?]

Julian: [Don't you think, that kind of nickname, it's moving a little fast?]

I immediately retorted:

[With our relationship, isn't it perfectly normal for me to call you baby? What's fast about it?]

[Baby, you need to get used to it quickly, because I'll be calling you that forever.]

[For our entire lives.]

Julian: [...]

Julian: [Actually, I'm still thinking about what they told me, so you don't have to rush.]

Thinking about what?

Thinking about whether to come home?

It seemed she was still wary of this family and of me.

I anxiously reassured her:

[Please don't overthink anything, and definitely don't listen to any gossip outside.]

[Everyone at home loves you, especially me! I love you the mostest!]

After sending these two messages.

Julian's status kept showing "typing..."

One minute, two minutes, three minutes… a full fifteen minutes passed.

Julian finally sent a slightly suspicious message:

[Have you, have you ever met me?]

Oh, so that's what she was worried about.

Even though I hadn't met her.

My guilt and my desire to make it up to her, to protect her, were very real.

But to prevent her from overthinking, I decided to tell a white lie:

[Of course! Mom showed me your photo.]

[The moment I saw you, I just knew you had to be an amazing person.]

[There's a saying, 'love at first sight,' you know? That's exactly how I feel about you. I swear, I genuinely like you.]

Julian: [...You genuinely like me?]

Me: [Of course!]

Julian:

[...Ahem.]

[Oh, whatever, it doesn't affect me anyway.]

[Alright, gotta go, my stew is still cooking, I need to take it off the stove, see ya.]

His words were all over the place.

I was completely confused.

But I accurately caught one key piece of information—

Julian actually cooks for his family?

A surge of inexplicable anger instantly flared up in my heart.

I absolutely lost it.