chapter336

Grace stared in disbelief, certain she must have heard wrong.

"Lucinda, what did you just say? He...?"

Lucinda's shoulders slumped as fresh tears slid down her cheeks.

"You heard me. Grandpa made up with Lydia. He's accepted her now, just like Mom, Dad, and Chris. They all think Lydia's amazing."

As soon as she got the words out, Lucinda sank into the small couch, looking completely defeated. Tears kept falling, one after another, like a necklace that had broken.

"I knew it. I knew Lydia came back just to take everything that should have been mine. And she did it so fast. She already has everyone's love. What am I supposed to be in this family now?"

Right then, Lucinda felt totally lost and alone. She had so much bottled up inside, but no way to say any of it.

Grace couldn't wrap her head around it. How could Mr. Norwood turn his back on them so quickly?

That girl Lydia..... she clearly wasn't as simple as she looked. Grace realized she'd underestimated her from the start.

Lucinda, listen to me. You are the best. Lydia's just a wild kid from the countryside. So what if she's the real daughter? You grew up in this family, you're the one everyone cared for. Mr. Norwood only accepted her because she knows a little medicine and saved his life. You have to believe it, you're still his favorite." Grace comforted her, gently rubbing her back and speaking with warmth and certainty.

Lucinda hesitated. Was that really true? Did Grandpa only accept Lydia out of gratitude, not love?

Grace kept coaxing her. "Think about it, after Lydia came back, what did Mr. Norwood say to you?"

Lucinda frowned, digging through her memories. Suddenly her eyes lit up. Grandpa said, no matter what

happensay can ever take r

place in his heart. I'll always be his most cherished granddaughter."

"Exactly. So what are you so afraid of? As long as Grandpa is here, he'll always be on your side, no matter what."

Really?" Lucinda remembered the way Grandpa had looked at Lydia earlier, the fondness in his eyes, and doubt crept back in.

"Yes, really. You've always been the one he loves the most.

"But even so, if I want to marry Connor, Grandpa won't help me."

No one could imagine how it felt, watching Lydia with the man she loved. It was like

someone was slicing her heart open, again and again, until the pain was unbearable.

Grace fell quiet for a moment, then looked at Lucinda seriously. "Lucinda, Connor is amazing, but right now his heart is full of Lydia We just don't have the time to wait for him to change his mind."

If Lydia had never shown up, Lucinda could have waited. She was Connor's fianc e. Even if she waited until after college, Connor would still be hers. No one would dare to take him away.

But now it was different. Connor only had eyes for Lydia, and Cameron, Kylie, Grandpa Samuel. everyone was on their side. If

Lucinda kept chasing after Co

and anyone found out, even ter spot in the Norwood family would be at risk.

The truth was, Lucinda knew she had lost the moment she saw how gentle Connor

was with Lydia. She just couldn't bring herself to admit it before.

Grace, but I don't want anyone but him. No one else could ever compare."

"With the way things are, Lucinda, you don't have a chance to marry Connor anymore."