It took Kristy a moment to come back to her senses. Her expression darkened, irritation flashing across her face. "Alina, you came here to visit, so why are you dressed like this? Are you that eager to get attention?"
As she saw how refined and striking Alina looked compared to Jessica, anger surged within her.
Alina met her gaze without emotion. "Mom, you and Jessica forced me into marrying Kellan. I'm part of the Gilbert family now. Does this outfit seem excessive to you? This is just how I live now."
Jessica might not have wanted that marriage, but the sight before her stirred something ugly inside.
The thought of Alina living in luxury every day only deepened her resentment.
For the first time, regret crept into her mind.
Why should Alina be the one to enjoy all of it?
Kristy's voice rose sharply. "Someone like you, born at the bottom, has no right to any of this! We sent you there to serve, not to become someone important! Don't fool yourself. Once Kellan grows tired of you, he'll toss you aside without mercy!"
Those words carried no trace of a mother's care.
Alina had long stopped expecting warmth from her.
"Let's go to my room," Alina said, stepping inside the Hayes family's residence.
Over the years, Kristy had shoved all of Alina's belongings into a cramped storage room tucked away in a corner, all so she could stay close to the Hayes family and serve them better.
Alina glanced around the cluttered space. Even the spot where her bed once stood was now buried under piles of junk.
Kristy's attention shifted to the clothes and jewelry Alina wore. Without warning, she reached out, trying to rip them off.
"So expensive? So valuable? You think you're worthy of wearing these?" Her face twisted with bitterness. "Take them off right now! No matter how high you climb, you're still nothing but trash underneath!"
The memory of Jessica's earlier expression stirred something in Kristy, making her feel even more indignant on Jessica's behalf.
Before her hand could touch Alina, it was struck away with force.
Unprepared for it, Kristy stumbled and fell, staring up in shock.
Alina moved closer step by step, her expression turning completely cold. Fear finally crept into Kristy's eyes. "W-what are you trying to do?"
Alina's voice came out icy. "Tell me. Did you know from the start that Jessica planned to send me in her place to marry Kellan?"
Kristy answered without hesitation, her tone filled with disdain, "Of course, I knew. Everything you have comes from Jessica to begin with. Whatever the Gilbert family gives you belongs to her! For the rest of your life, you're nothing more than her servant!"
That shameless look shattered whatever warmth Alina had left for her.
She once thought Kristy was simply weak and misguided, someone who clung to Jessica in hopes of securing a better future.
In that moment, she had no choice but to face a painful truth.
"Am I really your daughter, or is Jessica the one you truly care about?" Alina's voice trembled with hurt as she stepped closer.
For a split second, unease flickered across Kristy's face before she masked it. She scoffed and shot back, "What nonsense are you talking about? You're just embarrassed that I'm a maid, aren't you?"
As always, Kristy was ready to slip into the same dramatic routine of crying and complaining.
Alina shut her eyes briefly. She had seen this act too many times.
Exhaustion washed over her.
Every time she questioned Kristy, it would end the same way, with Kristy twisting everything into self-pity and accusing her of shame. She had reached her limit.
"Since you've never seen me as your daughter, then from now on, we're finished." Alina took out a bank card, threw it onto the coffee table, and turned away to leave.
"Stop!" Kristy rushed forward and grabbed Alina's wrist.
For a fleeting moment, something stirred in Alina's chest, a mix of emotions she couldn't name.
Then Kristy's next words shattered it completely. "How much is in that card? You're Mrs. Gilbert now. Don't think a few thousand will be enough to send me away!"
The words cut through Alina like ice.
Even now, money was all Kristy cared about.
Alina's voice turned completely cold. "Everything you spent raising me is in that card."
Without another glance, she pulled her arm free and walked away.
Fury consumed Kristy. In truth, she had barely spent anything on Alina while raising her.
Even school fees had come from Alina's own part-time work.
There was no way that card held much at all.
Determined to confront Alina, Kristy hurried after her, only to run into Lynda and quickly retreat out of sight.
The moment she saw Lynda, Alina lowered her eyes.
She had never envied Jessica for her wealth. What she truly envied was having a mother like Lynda. Lynda was everything Kristy wasn't. She carried herself with grace and kindness.
Back when she had nothing decent to wear, it was Lynda who quietly bought her new clothes.
Those clothes were later destroyed by Kristy though.
Many times, she had quietly wondered how different and happier her life might have been if Lynda had truly been her mother.
"Alina." Lynda reached out and held her hand, and her next words struck Alina like a shock.
