Chapter 72 We’re Families
Caroline, realizing an actual fight might harm the baby she was carrying, decided to change tactics. She smirked triumphantly, “I’ve officially reunited with my real parents. From today on, the true Winchester family heiress.”
She sneered at Abigail, “Without your so–called Winchester heiress status, let’s see how you keep your head up.”
I’m
Caroline eagerly watched for panic to show on Abigail’s face, but Abigail simply gave a cold laugh. Slowly, she raised her hand.
Terrified she might get slapped again, Caroline instinctively took a step back. “I won’t stoop to your barbaric level,” she spat, then darted off as if her life depended on it.
The room fell into an awkward silence once Caroline left. The Yannis family stood frozen, their eyes fixed on Abigail, unsure of
how to react.
Abigail didn’t regret hitting Caroline, but she understood the delicate situation. Caroline had been their beloved daughter for over twenty years. Perhaps they wouldn’t take kindly to what she’d done.
After what felt like an eternity, William finally broke the silence, hesitantly asking, “You… Are you…?”
Abigail, seeing him struggle to finish his question, decided to rip
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the bandage off. “Yes. I’m the so–called imposter Caroline mentioned the real daughter who was swapped at birth. Your biological child.”
Abigail hadn’t planned to reveal her identity in such a dramatic way. But after everything that had unfolded, there was no point hiding it anymore. The Yannis family didn’t respond, their stunned faces betraying their emotions. Disappointment flickered in Abigail’s eyes.
Watching them with Caroline had erased any doubt in her mind -they had never been neglectful or abusive as Caroline had claimed. In fact, they’d adored Caroline, showering her with unconditional love. It was enviable.
Though she’d never lacked food or shelter in the Winchester family, Abigail had never experienced such blatant favoritism. But her years of misplaced affection taught her one thing: not everyone got to enjoy such love and care.
So, if the Yannis family couldn’t accept her, she understood. Smiling faintly, Abigail placed the fruits and supplements she’d brought on the bedside table.
“If you don’t want to acknowledge me, that’s fine. I won’t trouble you again.” She turned, preparing to leave. From now on, she would truly have no family left. But it didn’t matter–she was married now. Maybe one day, she and Marcus would have children of their own.
“Wait.” William’s voice called her back. Abigail’s heart stirred with a glimmer of hope. She stopped but didn’t look back.
Chapter 72 We’re Families
William’s voice was cautious, almost pleading. “I’m sorry. It’s not that we don’t want to accept you. It’s just… this is all so sudden. We were caught off guard.”
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Abigail wondered, “Is that true?” She turned to face William. His sincere gaze met hers, brimming with guilt and hesitation. Her resolve softened.
Troy stepped forward, his tone unsure yet hopeful. “You’re really my sister?” The word sister used to be a nightmare for Troy.
Growing up, Caroline had been spoiled because of her frailty. Behind closed doors, she was domineering and cruel, breaking Troy’s toys and even abandoning his pets in the snow.
Whenever he tried to complain to their parents, Caroline would feign illness to escape punishment. There were countless times Troy wished he didn’t have a sister at all.
But now he’d learned Caroline wasn’t his real sister, and the woman standing before him–this beautiful, kind woman–was. He thought, “Could this all be a dream?”
Meeting Troy’s hopeful gaze, Abigail nodded. “Before
Caroline came to Claudia, she secretly did a DNA test with the Winchester family. She’s their biological daughter. We were both born the same day in the same hospital and got switched.”
Adela, hearing this, no longer had doubts. With some strength recovered, she looked at Abigail with guilt–ridden eyes,
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beckoning her closer. “Come here. Let me take a proper look at
you.”
How could Abigail refuse a bedridden woman’s request? She walked to Adela’s side and sat down.
Adela took Abigail’s hand, her bony fingers trembling as she reached out to touch Abigail’s face. Abigail instinctively tilted her head down to help. But before Adela’s hand reached her cheek, she started crying instead. “You look so much like me when I was younger. How did I not realize?”
Watching Adela’s tears, Abigail panicked. Clumsily, she tried to comfort her. “Please don’t cry.”
She wiped away Adela’s tears gently, but Adela only sobbed harder, “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If I’d known you were switched, I would’ve brought you home sooner. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need for apologies. We’re families,” Abigail murmured, unsure how else to console her. Awkwardly, she leaned in for a hug. The switch had been an accident–Adela wasn’t to blame. Abigail had never held her accountable.
Adela hesitated, then asked softly, “Caroline mentioned the family who raised you. Their circumstances seemed good?”
Abigail nodded absentmindedly, thinking of the Winchester household. Her mind inevitably wandered to Natalia’s
favoritism and James‘ arrogance. There was nothing left for her there.
Chapter 72 We’re Families
5/5 Sensing Abigail’s shift in mood, Adela’s heart ached even more. She clutched Abigail’s hand tightly. “Our home isn’t big, and we’re far from wealthy, but you’ll always have a place here with
us.”
Adela could tell from Abigail’s guarded expression that the Winchester family had deeply hurt her. All she could do now was try her best to make up for the lost years.
