But Lena dodged her grasp, her gaze full of open provocation as she stared at me.

“She’s crying because there’s someone who shouldn’t be here.”

I looked at the two of them, clinging to each other so naturally and so intimately.

A pain so sharp that it stole my breath tore through my chest.

‘How dare she! That is my daughter!’

I couldn’t control myself. I stepped forward, reaching out to take my daughter back.

But the moment I touched her, she burst into wailing cries.

Victor immediately rushed over and yanked me away. “What are you doing?”

Thrown off balance, I stumbled back, knocking over the dining table. Food and drinks spilled all over me, drenching me in a mess of breakfast dishes.

I looked up, only to see Victor standing protectively in front of Lena, his eyes full of wariness toward me.

My parents also stepped between us, as if terrified that I would lay a hand on Lena.

My heart turned completely cold.

That wasn’t my daughter. That wasn’t my husband. And they certainly weren’t my parents.

I refused the maid’s attempt to help me up. I rose to my feet slowly and numbly.

“Enjoy your meal. I won’t bother you any longer.”

Victor finally seemed to snap out of his daze and rushed forward to grab my arm.

"Anna, it’s not what you think. I only brought Lena back because I saw how down Mom and Dad were feeling. You have to understand their emotions. After all, Lena was their daughter for over twenty years. She’s already been punished. It’s time to move on."

My father also stepped in to persuade me. "That’s right. It was the dog’s fault, not entirely Lena’s. She’s back now, just let her stay."

My mother, eyes red with tears, pleaded with me. "Yes, Anna. Please, don’t torment your mother anymore. Let Lena come home."

I stared at them, tears streaming down my face, my heart breaking into pieces.

"Alright," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Let her come back."

Because this was always her home, the one who should leave… was me.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Victor walked over and pulled me into his arms. "Anna, I knew you’d be the most understanding. Didn’t you always want to meet my friends? Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. Let’s throw a grand banquet to celebrate."

I knew what this really was. A welcome party for Lena.

But it didn’t matter to me anymore.

I forced a smile, looking at the expectant faces before me and added, "Let’s make it a welcome banquet for Lena too. That way, it’ll be even livelier."

Perhaps worried that my presence at home would upset Lena, Victor wasted no time. That very afternoon, he dragged me out of the house.

"Just rest well and leave the banquet preparations to them."

"Don’t worry, Lena won’t outshine you. I’ll make sure this is the most unforgettable wedding anniversary for you."

In the past, Victor always told me not to compete with Lena, assuring me that since I was their biological daughter, the family would never mistreat me.

But in reality, time and time again, they favored Lena.

I used to argue, fight and struggle for what I wanted. But now that the things I once longed for were being handed to me, I simply responded with a quiet "Mm."

Victor seemed surprised. "Anna, isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?"

That was in the past. Now, I didn’t even want them anymore, so why would I care for their so-called affection?

But I didn’t say any of that. I only replied indifferently, "You were the one who told me that harmony in the family brings prosperity, isn’t that right?"

Victor nodded happily. "I’m glad you’ve come around. Today, I’m all yours. Let’s have a great time."

Our destination was the South Suburban Flower Valley. It was a place I had been wanting to visit for years.

It was only a thirty-minute drive, yet Victor had always brushed it off, saying he was too busy.

Now, as I finally stood before the breathtaking sea of flowers I had longed to see, the excitement I once felt was completely gone.

Tired of wandering, I headed to a café to sit down.

To my surprise, the waiter recognized Victor. "Mr. Ford, you’ve brought your wife again? It’s been a while since your last visit. Will you be ordering the usual—salmon sandwiches and lemon tea?"

So, this place was nothing special to him.

The place I had yearned for was merely one of their many date spots.

Seeing the cautious, probing look in Victor’s eyes, I pretended not to hear and walked out the door.

The captain's call came in just in time. "0527, all the procedures have been completed. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? Once the process starts, all traces of you in the country will be erased. I heard you found your family, got married and had a daughter. They…"

"They are not my family anymore. Captain, don't worry. Since I've decided to return, I won't regret it." I interrupted him firmly.

"Alright, the day after tomorrow, we’ll send someone over. Rest assured, no matter when, we will always have your back."

Even through the phone, I could feel the captain’s barely concealed heartache.

They had no blood ties to me, yet they truly cared.

But my own kin? They treated everything as a scheme.

"Anna, where are you going back to?" Victor’s voice came from behind me and I hurriedly wiped away my tears.

"Nowhere, just tired and wanting to go back."

He looked at me indulgently. "Alright, whatever you say goes."

On the way back, he took countless detours, driving for two hours without reaching home.

I couldn’t be bothered to expose his intentions, so I simply closed my eyes and took a nap.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when the car finally stopped.

Victor got out, but he didn’t call for me.

I wanted to open my eyes, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move.

Then, I heard voices from outside the car.

"Why didn’t you wait inside? Aren’t you cold?"

Lena’s voice was sultry as she tugged down her collar.

"Just thinking about you makes me burn up."

Victor laughed heartily, without the slightest hesitation, as he pulled her into an intimate embrace.

The car shook continuously. I wanted to pass out, to escape from witnessing such a disgusting scene.

But as if deliberately provoking me, Lena’s voice grew louder and louder.

It took them a long time before they finally stopped.

Victor’s voice was full of satisfaction. "You’re still the most compatible with me. You have no idea that she’s like a dead fish."

Lena teased him, "Aren’t you afraid she’ll hear?"

Victor chuckled. "I was afraid she’d make a fuss about coming back, so I put a sleeping pill in her water."

Lena let out a coy hum. "Why do you always carry those with you? Isn’t feeding them to her at night enough? Now you’re even looking for chances during the day?"

"Why? Don’t you like exciting things like this?"

I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cave. So every night, they had been messing around right beside me?

If I had drunk more of that water just now, I might have never known the truth for the rest of my life.

Rage shot straight to my head. I wanted to stand up and confront them, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move.

All I could do was remain fully conscious, forced to listen as they went at it again.

By the time the car finally made it home, the two of them had completely forgotten about me, leaving me behind in the vehicle.

It wasn’t until late at night that a servant finally discovered me.

The family doctor came over and gave me an injection and only then was I finally able to move again.

He warned me, "You can't take sleeping pills every day. They’ll affect your brain. Why isn’t your family advising you against it?"

I shook my head bitterly.

They were the ones giving me this medicine.

I didn't have a family anymore.

But it wouldn’t matter soon. I was about to return to where I truly belonged.

The banquet was exceptionally grand.

Early in the morning, a team of stylists arrived at the house to dress up Lena.

Seeing my gaze, Victor looked a little embarrassed.

"Anna, it's not that I didn't hire a stylist for you. You said yourself that you don’t like dressing up like this."

I responded with a soft "Mm."

Yes, I used to be a mercenary. Even though I was only a tactical strategist in the background, I never cared about appearances.

But after returning to the Reeves Family, I worked hard to learn these things, to fit into their world.

Back then, Victor was the one who accompanied me through it all.

When everyone mocked me, even when my own parents looked at me with disappointment, it was Victor who told me, "Anna, it's not your fault."

But now, he had forgotten it all.

I didn’t respond to Victor and simply turned around, heading back to my room.

The team would be coming to pick me up soon. There was no need for these unnecessary burdens anymore.

Victor seemed like he wanted to follow me, but Lena called out to him.

In the end, he didn’t come after me.

After packing my things, I sat in the backyard, lost in thought.

That was when Lena appeared before me.