Framed by the Fake Daughter, I Rose Above Them

When the fake daughter completed college, her parents brought her to a graduation celebration.

They ran into me, who was operating a little street stall.

I wore an apron, calling in buyers, while the fake daughter trailed behind her parents in a designer long dress.

Seeing the dirt still on my face, my parents’ eyes showed soft regret.

“We’ll buy all the flowers.”

I waved my hand. “Just choose a few; otherwise, you won’t be able to take care of them.”

Mom got tense. “We’re trying to take care of your business!”

“Really, no need. Some of these are reserved by customers.”

Dad sighed. “You’re still holding it against us.”

I stopped.

“Back then, we really thought it was best for you, not that we liked her more…”

“A few customers got the wrong idea.”

I smiled. “I truly didn’t mean anything.”

From the moment I let go of wanting their love, my life had risen on its own.

——

“Hattie, quit fussing. Pack them up.”

Dad pointed at every flower.

“There’s honestly no need; you don’t require this many, it’s just wasteful.”

“This isn’t something you need to handle.”

Mom cut me off. “Brielle just got into flower crafting lately, so we’ll buy them for her to practice.”

“Even so, this is far too much for her.”

I pressed down Mom’s hand as she reached for the flowers.

Brielle’s eyes grew slightly wet. “Sister, are you still upset with me, refusing to sell to me on purpose…”

I felt at a loss.

“I’m not. You can’t use this many for arranging. If you want some, I can choose a few for you…”

“Sister, you didn’t attend college, and you have a criminal record. Life will only become tougher for you.”

Brielle interrupted me. “I know you still hate me. I’m saying sorry to you, begging you to accept Mom and Dad, and my help.”

“Even if you’re mad, you can’t bet your own future on anger!”

She spoke softly, sadly.

People passing by couldn’t hear her tone, only saw her look, so they would think I was bullying her, just like before.

I grew tired. “If you’re not taking any, leaving.”

“Hattie Hopkins!”

Mom knit her brows. “Brielle is doing this for your sake! Back then, we were the ones who handled it, we were the ones who made the decision!”

“If you want to blame someone, blame us! Don’t trouble the one who didn’t do anything!”

I was completely fed up with them. “I said, if you’re not taking any, leave.”

Brielle’s tears dropped at once.

My parents rushed to pull her behind them. “Hattie!”

They frowned at me, waiting for me to say sorry like before. But I simply turned to sort my flowers, not even giving them a look.

A sigh came. “These five years… we never moved.”

Before walking off, Dad turned around. “If one day you feel regret, we’ll be waiting.”

Before getting into the car, Mom spoke, “Honestly, back then, we truly didn’t mean to ruin your path… We weren’t favoring Brielle…”

I put on a polite smile.“Thanks for your support.”

Mom’s eyes grew even wetter, and Dad lowered his head to hold back tears. Then, the Rolls-Royce pulled away.

My assistant, Ivy Collins, stuck her head out. “Was that a Rolls-Royce earlier? Sis, a big client!”

I neatly trimmed the flower stems. “Just passing by.”

“Wow! Serious gossip alert!”

Ivy let out a breath. “Isn’t that the plate number of the Hopkins family? The biggest corporation in Charleston came to our flower booth!”

“I heard their daughter just finished college and is about to take over the company!”

“Did they show up to buy flowers for the handover event? Sis, did you grab another massive deal?!”

“Not one flowers are sold.”

Hearing my cold tone, Ivy froze.

“A fake daughter, getting flowers from the real daughter to celebrate?”