Chapter 6
Lavinia sighed, her voice filled with genuine concern. “You know, even if you hadn’t managed to help my mother recover, I was planning on adopting you anyway. You’ve been through so much at such a young age.”
That was the first time Miranda let out a true, heartfelt smile.
“Thank you, Ms. Lancaster.”
Lavinia couldn’t resist giving Miranda a warm hug. “From now on, think of me as your own mother. My home is your home. Take a couple of days to rest. Once you’re feeling better, I’m planning to throw a welcome party for you. It’ll be a way to shake off the past.”
Lavinia had done a bit of digging into Miranda’s past, and the more she interacted with her, the more she liked this resilient young girl. Besides, Miranda had miraculously healed her mother, which only deepened Lavinia’s sense of closeness and gratitude.
In that moment, Miranda felt a pang of sorrow for the old Miranda. In the presence of the Hawke family, her biological parents, and her own brothers, she never experienced affection as warm and genuine as this from someone she wasn’t even related to.
After dropping her off at the villa, Lavinia had to rush back to the office. But before leaving, she handed Miranda a card loaded with a million dollars, telling her to buy some stuff, a token of gratitude for helping Anna. Miranda, needing the money, didn’t reject it.
Along with the money, Lavinia left a secretary to assist Miranda with any needs she might have.
Once at the villa, Miranda took a bath and then fell into a deep, restful sleep. The few hundred square foot bedroom bed were a far cry from the cramped cell she’d been in.
When she awoke, she found the room equipped with a smartphone, a laptop, and all sorts of gadgets that any young person would love. Clearly, Lavinia had everything set up for her post–release.
She sat down and logged onto the internet using the phone and laptop. To learn more about her past, she logged into the original Miranda’s social media accounts.
As soon as she logged in, messages started popping up. Most of them were from the Hawke family.
Miranda’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she replied to each one.
Dorian asked. [Where are you logging in from? Not some internet café, I hope? Don’t make me say it again, come back now!]
Miranda replied. [Buzz off!]
Alistair typed. [Who picked you up? Where are you? Do you know how upset Bella is because you didn’t come home?]
Miranda replied. [Why should I care if she’s upset? Am I her mom?]
Orion growled. [If you don’t want to come back, then don’t ever come back. You’re bad luck!]
Miranda wrote. [Okay.]
Lysander cursed. [Miranda, have you no heart? Bella even baked a cake for you, and we all waited at home. What are you doing if you’re not coming back?]
Miranda answered. [If I have no heart, then you’re even worse.]
Arabella asked. [Miranda, where are you? You aren’t really not coming back, are you?]
Miranda replied. [Relax, even if I don’t come back, I can still make sure you end up in jail.]
After replying to each message, Miranda blocked them all.
The Hawke brothers wanted her back only for Arabella’s sake and feared she might spill the beans. Maybe, just
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Chapter 6
maybe, there was a hint of guilt on their part. But to them, having Miranda return home would erase that guilt, as if they were doing her a favor,
To them, it seemed only natural that Miranda took the fall for Arabella. Despite Arabella deliberately pushing that person down the stairs, they refused to believe it, convinced it was an accident. After all, their “sweet” sister couldn’t possibly mean any harm. How could they bear to let her suffer?
Miranda, the biological sister raised outside the family, could never compete with the deep bond they shared with Arabella, raised alongside them.
And Arabella, she was probably thrilled Miranda didn’t return. Having someone with blood ties to the Hawke family was a constant threat to her.
Alden and Grace believed nurture trumped nature. Their adopted daughter, who grew up with them, obviously outshone their biological daughter, who grew up in poverty.
After a hearty breakfast, William appeared.
“President Lancaster said that once you’re rested, I should take you shopping to pick out some things you like. Mrs. Anna Lancaster is up and about, and her check–up results are promising; everything is improving. However, she keeps asking about you and hopes you’ll join us for a family meal at the estate when you have time.”
Chapter
Chapter 7
