The housekeeper remained silent, but it was Lysander’s expression that wavered first.
“Jeanne… that’s Belle’s room.”
I lowered my gaze. As expected, the one he cared for most was still Belle.
Thinking I was about to back down, Lysander stepped closer and said gently, “Jeanne, why not choose another room? I remember the guest room on the third floor, it’s spacious and full of light. See if you like it.”
Guest room. Always a guest room.
In my previous life, I had never been given a room of my own in the Gomez household.
Even after I got married, I was still living in that same guest room.
I had never truly belonged.
I brushed off Lysander’s hand and said coldly, “This is our family’s business. You don’t need to interfere. Housekeeper, clear the room.”
Perhaps sensing I was no longer someone to be taken lightly, the housekeeper said nothing more and obediently called the maids to clean.
At the same time, I silently signaled for Lysander to leave.
For the next few days, he came to the Gomez residence to wait for me.
I kept my distance, avoiding him at every turn.
He seemed frustrated at first, but eventually, he stopped coming altogether.
One morning, I heard the sound of a car pulling into the courtyard, and I knew my parents and brother had returned with Belle.
The whole family entered, laughter trailing behind them, until they saw me lying on the sofa, quietly reading.
The laughter died instantly. I stood up first and greeted them calmly. “Dad. Mom. Brother.”
My parents frowned, but before either could speak, Conrad Gomez snapped coldly, “Why didn’t you greet Belle?”
I turned toward her.
Her eyes had already turned red the moment she saw me, and after hearing Conrad’s voice, she choked up.
“It’s only right that Sister doesn’t like me. After all, I took her place…”
My mother couldn’t bear the sight of Belle in tears. She rushed over, gently wiping them away.
“Belle, you didn’t take anyone’s place. You’re my daughter.”
Belle sobbed harder and threw herself into her arms.
Watching this flawless performance of motherly love, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Conrad noticed immediately.
He shot me a look full of disgust and snapped, “No manners.”
I shrugged, tone calm and careless. “Can’t help it. I didn’t grow up with a mom or dad, so no one taught me manners. You’ll just have to put up with it.”
Everyone’s face darkened.
Sensing the tension thickening in the room, my father finally stepped in.
“Alright, that’s enough. We’ll talk later. Everyone’s tired, let’s eat first.”
The family gathered around the dining table, each one silent, thoughts scattered, the air heavy.
But I was unfazed, quietly enjoying my meal.
Conrad frowned, ready to speak, but Mom gently held his arm.
She placed two cards in front of me and Belle.
“Jeanne, this is the birthday gift your father and I prepared for your eighteenth. The PIN is your birthdate. You and Belle each get one.”
Belle instantly broke into a sweet smile.
“Thank you, Mom!”
The moment she held the card, she suddenly paused, as if something had come to mind. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
“Mom, I just remembered those children we met in the mountain villages. They were so pitiful. I want to donate my birthday gift to them. Is that alright?”
“Belle, you’re so kind. Mom supports you.”
My mother looked at Belle with pride, glowing in her eyes.
But with just one sentence, Belle placed me in an impossible position.
All eyes turned to me in unison.
In my past life, unable to bear the weight of their gazes, I had whispered, “Th-then… I’ll donate mine too…”
It had been the very first gift I’d ever received, but even that, I wasn’t allowed to keep.
