“Ranita, you were adopted. I am the real daughter of the Bowman family!”


    Chole’s words struck her like never before. The truth couldn’t be changed, nor could blood ties.


    Ranita became much quieter because she wasn’t the biological child of the Bowman family; she didn’t have the confidence to be willful. Chole wouldn’t say anything to Ranita in front of others but would mock her behind her back.


    Not long after, a major event urred. At the start of the new semester, Chole joined Ranita’s school and became her ssmate, participating in their first ss activity together. They went to a nearby mountain for an insect experiment.


    After another argument, Chole pushed her down a steep slope. Injured and barely conscious, Ranita called for help, but Chole just nced at her and walked away!


    Later, a teacher found Ranita lying there and took her to the hospital, only to discover that Chole was missing too! The Bowman family and the police searched all night and finally found Chole deep in the mountains, unconscious and feverish.


    ording to the rescuers, Chole had identally taken the wrong path and fallen down the slope herself. But when Chole woke up, she insisted that Ranita had pushed her and left her to die.


    Alexia took Chole to see a psychologist, who concluded that she had stress-induced memory confusion. Fearing that Chole’s condition would worsen, Alexia begged Ranita not to bring up the incident again, and even Jedidiah asked her to endure it for the sake of family harmony.


    To restore peace and happiness in the Bowman family, Ranita silently agreed and became the viin in Chole’s memory who had harmed her.


    The phone suddenly rang. Ranita saw it was Brendon calling and answered.


    “Ranita! Where are you and Ayaan?” Brendon had just returned to thepany and had been in meetings all day. “You didn’t return my calls or messages…”


    “Is something wrong?” Ranita’s tone was cold, clearly unhappy.


    “What happened?” Brendon asked.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    “My mom is in the hospital. I brought Ayaan back to Stnd,” Ranita exined quietly, sounding exhausted. “Sorry, I left in a hurry and didn’t tell you.”


    “How is your mom?” Brendon, understanding the situation, showed concern for his future mother-inw.


    “She had an ident while shopping. She should be okay now.”


    Hearing Ranita’s lifeless tone, Brendonforted her, “Everything will be fine! Don’t worry.”


    “Okay.”


    “Do you need my help?” Brendon asked again.


    “No, you… go home and rest early! Your own injuries haven’t healed yet!” Ranita exined. “I’m going to rest soon too.”


    Ranita wasn’t in the mood to continue the conversation. After hanging up, she drove back to the Bowman family home. Jedidiah had just returned as well, so Ranita handed over the project materials she had been working on and offered some suggestions.


    By the time she went to bed, it was already 1 AM.


    Just as shey down, her phone buzzed again. It was Brendon: “Are you asleep?”


    “Yes!” Ranita replied immediately, but Brendon quickly responded: “Liar!”


    “I’m not lying; I’m really going to sleep!” Exhausted, Ranita copsed onto her bed and reached to turn off the light when Brendon texted again: “I can see you; your light is still on!”