chapter 2
I stared silently at everything in the room, unable to utter a single word as tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
Austin held me tightly: "After your car accident, Wyatt and Sienna were overcome with grief and took their anger out on Raegan, driving her out of the house. I knew she was your sister, and I should have protected her for your sake, so I brought her back home."
His explanation felt hollow and weak, and I no longer had the strength to dig deeper.
Just then, his phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, his face instantly lit up with unmistakable joy.
The display showing "Raegan Baby" pierced through my chest like a sharp blade, each breath pulling at the excruciating pain.
"Have you guys gotten to the restaurant? Ariana and I will be right there." His tone was more cheerful than I'd ever heard.
He used to sound just like this when we were madly in love.
After hanging up, he gently wiped the tears from my face and led me to the restaurant.
Raegan sat in the head seat while Wyatt and Sienna took turns serving her food.
Sienna said lovingly, "Eat more, Raegan. You're too thin."
Luca also held a strawberry to her lips: "Mommy, you should eat more. With me here, no one will dare bully you."
Those innocent words drew laughter from everyone at the table, and even Austin watched them with a smile, his eyes full of contentment.
What about me?
My feet felt like they were filled with lead, every movement tugging at my heartstrings.
"Oh my, Ariana, you're here!" Seeing me, Raegan immediately stood up: "Today's dinner is to celebrate your recovery. It's not appropriate for me to sit in the head seat."
But Sienna pulled her back down: "What are you talking about? A seat is just a seat, right?"
The next moment, she seemed to remember that I was supposed to be today's guest of honor and looked up abruptly, a flash of embarrassment crossing her eyes: "Right, Ariana? It's no big deal to let Raegan have it. It's just a seat after all."
But I remembered that on the day they brought me home, Wyatt and Sienna had thrown the most lavish homecoming banquet for me.
The guests were all elite socialites and dignitaries, with some quietly trying to squeeze toward the center seats.
That's when the usually gentle Wyatt roared in front of everyone: "Today is my biological daughter Ariana Gilbert's homecoming celebration! She is the only star of the show!
"No matter when, she must always sit in the head seat!"
The contrast cut through me like slow torture, each memory reopening the wound.
I held back my tears and sat down in the farthest seat.
Austin served me some food and held my hand, comforting me softly: "Eat more, Ariana."
My throat tightened, my voice hoarse: "I'm allergic to seafood."
Everyone froze, and the cheerful atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Every dish on the table was seafood, yet no one remembered my allergy.
Because Raegan loved seafood the most.
Tears immediately rolled down Raegan's face: "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. I'll have them bring out a whole new spread right away!"
She rushed out in a panic, and as she turned, tears splattered on the floor.
Then Luca smashed a plate against my head.
Scalding soup splashed across my face, glass shards embedded in my skin, and blood trickled down my cheeks.
But this physical burning pain was nothing compared to even a fraction of the agony in my heart.
Luca looked like an enraged little beast: "You evil woman! Why are you bullying my mommy again? You made her cry twice in one day! I hate you!"