The whole family favors the fake daughter

chapter 1

When I woke up, Raegan was crying and saying she wanted to leave: "Since Ariana is back, I, the imposter, should go too."

Wyatt and Sienna immediately rushed forward to stop her, their voices urgent: "What nonsense are you talking about? You're our daughter, always will be!"

Austin also comforted her gently: "That's right, Raegan. Without you these past three Christmases, Luca and I wouldn't have made it through."

Luca pushed me away hard and grabbed onto Raegan's clothes: "Mommy, I can't live without you."

I fell to the ground, staring at everything in front of me in shock.

My heart felt like it was being cut open with a knife, and my eyes burned with unshed tears.

I don't know how long it was before they noticed I had fallen.

Austin quickly picked me up and placed me on the bed: "Sorry, Ariana, Luca didn't mean it."

Wyatt and Sienna also rushed to make amends: "While you were unconscious, Raegan stayed by our side. She's our adopted daughter now, and your sister too."

Three Christmases ago, they had personally promised that when I returned, they would send Raegan back to her original family.

But now, she was wearing the family heirloom bracelet that Sienna had given me.

"Ariana, if you don't like me, I'll just leave." Raegan wiped away her tears and made as if to go.

But I was blinded by the diamond ring on her ring finger.

It was the engagement ring Austin had personally designed for me.

Now, it was on Raegan's hand.

I closed my eyes, my heart aching so much I could barely breathe.

I said to myself: "System, give me a little more time to think about this."

After the system used my points to exchange for three days of consideration time, it fell into slumber.

Seeing my silence, Raegan's tears, which had just stopped, began falling again: "I knew Ariana wouldn't accept me. I'll leave right now."

She turned to go, her posture resolute.

Wyatt and Sienna anxiously chased after her, but seemed to suddenly remember me and explained: "We're afraid she might do something foolish, so we're going to bring her back."

Luca glared at me fiercely and ran out anxiously: "Mommy, I'm coming with you."

Austin got up to follow, but stopped the moment he met my gaze.

He awkwardly picked up the water glass from the table and handed it to me: "Ariana, don't overthink it. You're still the person we love most."

His tone was as gentle as always, but his eyes looked toward the door seven times.

The hot water created a white mist that blurred my vision.

During these three Christmases, the system's missions had been incredibly difficult, and I had wanted to give up countless times.

But whenever I thought of my loving parents, my husband who always protected me, and my child, I found endless courage.

Now I wondered if everything I had persisted for was right.

Soon, Austin received a message from Wyatt and seemed relieved.

He brought me home, and the moment he opened the door, I froze.

Austin noticed my reaction and pressed his lips together: "Maybe we should go to the dining room first, and later we can..."

Before he could finish, I had already walked into the room.

In Austin's and my home, there were traces of Raegan everywhere.

Even our wedding photos had been replaced with her face.

Austin's face went pale as he said frantically: "Ariana, let me explain."