chapter476

Lucinda felt a sudden ache in her chest. What was Blake trying to say? Did they

really still see her as family, as their own sister? Their actions lately made her doubt everything.

Lucinda, Blake is right," Cameron said gently. "We may not be your biological parents, but for eighteen years, we have loved you like our own."

Lucinda hesitated, her voice soft and uncertain. "Dad, Mom... do you honestly still think of me as your daughter?"

Cameron smiled and ruffled her hair. "Of course we do. Even though your sister is back, you'll always be our little princess."

All the tangled emotions inside Lucinda bubbled up. She had so much resentment stored away, yet hearing these words still left her feeling touched.

"Dad, Mom, Blake... as long as you still want me, I'll always be your daughter and your sister."

Cameron's relief was obvious. "That's what we wanted to hear. Your mom and I heard you playing your new song earlier. You blew us away, Lucinda. Your piano has gotten even better."

He looked at her with so much warmth that Lucinda felt her heart lift. She knew he truly cared for her, without any reservations. As long as she wanted to be their daughter, she would always belong in the Norwood family.

Her dad's praise made her beam. Lately, all the compliments seemed to go to Lydia, and it had been weighing on her. She just wanted her parents and brothers to notice her too.

"Really?"

Kylie nodded, her eyes shining. "It was amazing, Lucinda. Tomorrow, you're going to wow everyone for sure."

Lucinda's excitement bubbled over. "Dad, Mom, do you want me to play it for you again right now?"

"That would be perfect," her parents agreed.

Lucinda linked her arm with Kylie and kept chatting with Cameron as they headed upstairs, laughter

echoing behind them. But Grace net

watching from the sidelines, felt a sharp sting in her heart. Back when the Norwoods put all their love on Lucinda, she had smiled and said nothing. Now with Lydia back and everyone doting on her, seeing Lucinda still so close to them made Grace's jealo

burn. She knew the Norwoods were just saying nice things to fool her daughter around. How shameless. Did they really think she didn't see through their plan? They wanted Lucinda to give in to Lydia, to never compete with her.

Lucinda, that foolish girl, actually believed them.

Meanwhile, Lydia was out with Connor, enjoying a candlelit dinner at a famous French restaurant Halfway through the meal, her phone buzzed with a message fr?ma Kyle. It was a photo.

She looked closer and realized it was from ten years ago. In the picture, she stood between Blake and Arthur. She hadn't officially met Arthur yet, but she knew the twins. looked nearly identical. She vaguely remembered, back in Y Country, winning a science comp tition with a pair of twins. So they had been Blake and Arthur.

What a small world.

Connor noticed her grinning at her phone and leaned in. "What's got you smiling like that?"

Lydia turned the screen toward him. "My mom just sent me this photo."

He took her phone and studied the picture. His eyebrows shot up. "Is this you as a

kid?" The Norwood boys looked so young too.

Lydia nodded. "Yeah, this must have been about ten years ago."