“Chole didn’t mean it?”


    Alexia had repeated this phrase countless times. In her eyes, Chole was always a child, even if she made mistakes, it was just impulsive and unintentional.


    “You know she was traumatized after that incident… she didn’t mean it… Mom begs you, can you forgive her?”


    Ranita pursed her lips and looked at Alexia.


    “Mom, I don’t want to talk about this right now. Let’s discuss itter!” Ranita was half worried about Benedict and half angry.


    She had tolerated Chole for so long, but this time, she didn’t want to endure it anymore.


    “Ranita…” Alexia was very worried about Ranita’s attitude. “I will have a good talk with her. Your father and I will both try to persuade her. Don’t take it to heart, okay?”


    Ranita looked at Alexia.


    When she was young, she liked Alexia very much because, despite her princess syndrome, Alexia was a kind mother, and Ranita especially liked her.


    But after turning fifteen, her attitude changed a lot because of Chole.


    She said she treated her like her own daughter, but hearts are biased, and fairness and justice were impossible.


    “Mom, do you really treat me and Chole the same?” Ranita’s voice was faint, and if you listened carefully, there was even a hint of sadness.


    But her tone was so indifferent, almost emotionless, making Alexia feel very ufortable.


    “Of course, it’s the same! Ranita, why are you asking such a question!”


    Alexia frowned at Ranita with a disapproving look. “Don’t think too much!”? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Ranita shook her head.


    “Mom, Chole told me… my name, Ranita, was given because you missed her. Is that true?”


    Alexia opened her mouth but said nothing.


    The silence made the atmosphere ufortable.


    Ranita knew that uncovering thisyer of calm might lead to deeper pain, but she had been deceiving herself for so many years. Maybe it was time to rify things.


    “Ranita, don’t listen to Chole’s nonsense! Your name…” Ranita’s expression was indifferent, making people feel a bit heartless when she looked at them.


    Alexia stopped talking and finally sighed. “Ranita, I lost my child back then, so I adopted you.”


    “I admit that at first, I projected that sense of loss onto you and treated you as Chole’s recement. But over the years, haven’t I treated you well? I’ve raised you for so many years and have long considered you my own child… You’re really hurting my feelings by saying this.”


    As Alexia spoke, she began to cry.


    Ranita’s mind was in turmoil. She wanted tofort Alexia, but… Ranita pursed her lips, lowered her eyshes, and with a wet corner of her eye, she smiled faintly and said, “So it’s not the same.”


    “Mom, in your heart, Chole and I are not the same.” After a pause, Ranita’s voice carried a slight chill. “If Chole and I switched ces, would you tell her not to mind? Would you choose to hide the truth back then?”


    “It was clearly Chole who pushed me down the hill, almost killing me, but in the end, I took the me… And this time… being caught with a man and watched by everyone… what would you do?”


    Each word was calm but filled with heartbreaking sadness.


    “Mom, if our positions were switched, would you also tell Chole not to mind? Or would you directly kick me out?”