chapter47

Cameron and Kylie's smiles faded for a moment, guilt flickering in their eyes.

Cameron said to Lucinda, Sweetheart, these gifts are a reward for your sister. She saved your grandpa yesterday. If you want something, just let us know and we'll get it for you, okay?"

Lucinda blinked, confused. She thought she'd made it obvious what she wanted. Why weren't her parents taking her to the helipad?

Grace, noticing the tension, tried to help. "Sir, Madam, Miss Lucinda heard a helicopter this morning..."

Before she could finish, Cameron laughed. Did our little princess get woken up by all the noise? That was a special gift for your sister. Let's all go check it out together."

Lucinda and Grace froze in place.

Dad, Lucinda said, her voice shaky, are you saying the helicopter is for my sister?"

Cameron smiled, nodding. "Of course. Pretty creative gift, right?" He turned to Lydia with a big grin. "Lydia, do you like the helicopter your mom and I picked out just for you?"

Everyone crowded around Lydia, excited to head to the helipad. Lucinda just stood there, stiff and silent, her face darkening. She felt ridiculous. All this time, the helicopter wasn't meant for her? Did Lydia even know how to fly? How could her parents just hand it over without thinking about her feelings? She'd always been their one and only princess. Why did Lydia have to come back and ruin everything?

Mr. Norwood stood up and walked over to Lucinda, gently patting her back. He understood why she'd dressed up today, and he knew she'd just earned her pilot's license.

Lucinda, he said softly, Lydia just got back and she doesn't have much right now. Your parents just want to make it up to her."

Lucinda noticed that her grandfather sounded a lot less cold toward Lydia than usual. Her hands balled into fists, but she forced a sweet smile anyway. "I get it, Grandpa. My sister had a rough time living with the Smiths. She just came back from the countryside. It makes sense for Mom and Dad to spoil her a bit."

Her meaning was clear. Lydia was just a country girl. Even if they gave her a helicopter, could she really fly it? Lucinda almost wanted to laugh.

But when Lucinda followed the group to the helipad, hoping to watch Lydia embarrass herself, she heard the thunder of the rotors. She looked up, and her jaw dropped. A sleek helicopter was already rising into the sky, glinting in the sunlight, like some kind of mythical bird. Through the cockpit window, Lucinda could see Lydia sitting upright and confident, helmet on, hands steady on the controls. She looked totally at home, completely in command.

The staff watching from below couldn't hold back their excitement.

"Miss Norwood is so cool! She's really flying it!"

"She's amazing! I want to be just like her!"

"She's already a certified flight instructor. That's insane!

Lucinda was stunned. A flight instructor? Not only did Lydia have a license, she could actually teach other people to fly? How was that even possible? Lucinda herself had only managed to get a basic student license, and that had been tough enough. How was Lydia already an instructor?

Cameron and Kylie were just as shocked and thrilled. They'd thought they'd give their daughter a helicopter and then help her get some lessons. They had no idea she was already an expert. She really was their daughter, every bit as talented as her brothers.