The Berry Family.
The mansion was brightly lit, filled with guests, and buzzing with lively chatter. Everyone was enthusiastically celebrating Andy Berry, the Berry Family's beloved daughter, on her eighteenth birthday.
While the hall bustled with excitement, the nearby garden remained serene.
In a shadowed corner where the lights couldn't reach, Layla Berry sat on a stone bench, lost in thought.
Just a few days ago…
She was the admired eldest daughter of the Berry Family.
But now, she had become an object of pity, receiving sympathetic glances from everyone.
The reason was simple.
The real daughter of the Berry Family, Andy Berry, had returned.
Three years ago, Andy had gone missing unexpectedly. In their grief, Mr. and Mrs. Berry adopted Layla, who was born on the same day and month as Andy, as a form of solace.
For the past three years, under her father's insistence, Layla had been mimicking Andy in every way.
Andy liked wearing white dresses, so Layla could only wear white dresses.
Andy had a frail constitution and often needed herbal medicine. Thus, Layla had to pretend to be delicate and always be seen taking medicine.
For three years, she had been stripped of her identity, living as Andy's stand-in.
The Berry parents had been kind to her, and to repay their kindness, she had suppressed her own spirit and earnestly learned to become someone else.
But three days ago…
The real daughter returned.
Thinking about the sudden change in her parents' attitudes, Layla felt a headache forming.
Now, she probably wouldn't need to be Andy anymore.
But after three years of living as a substitute, could she return to being the proud and carefree Layla she once was?
As she pondered, a sudden cry echoed from the garden.
Startled, she instinctively moved deeper into the darkness to hide.
A delicate, beautiful woman ran past her, crying.
Then, a man hurriedly chased after her.
It was Andy… and her supposed fiancé, Myron Ferguson.
Seeing the two of them gave Layla a headache. She didn't want to listen to their conversation and tried to sneak away.
But as soon as she stood up, she bumped into a firm chest.
Looking up, she saw an incredibly handsome man with a cold, night-like expression.
Layla's pupils contracted.
Lachlan Ferguson!
What was he doing here?
Lachlan was, by blood, Myron's uncle.
But the two men were in completely different leagues.
Lachlan was the head of the Ferguson Family in Heavenly Capital City, standing at the pinnacle of power in all of Summerland.
Myron, though his nephew, was far removed from the family's core power and had been exiled to Riverside City early on.
The only reason Layla knew about Lachlan was because Myron had taken her to meet him before Andy returned. Rumor had it the Ferguson Family was planning to expand into Riverside City, and Lachlan had come partly for business and partly to see Myron.
So why was she running into him at Andy's birthday party—and in such a dark corner?
Lachlan squinted slightly. He never liked parties. When Myron begged him to attend, he initially refused, but eventually agreed out of respect. The main hall was too noisy, so he came to the garden to wait quietly until it was time to appear and offer polite greetings.
He hadn't expected to run into someone.
"You—" Lachlan began.
Layla jumped, quickly covering his mouth with her hand and desperately pulling him down.
It was chilly outside.
Yet her hand was warm, like spring.
Lachlan froze in place for a moment, forgetting to break free.
Then he heard a familiar voice up ahead. His expression instantly darkened.
"Myron, please don't cry," Myron pleaded. "It breaks my heart to see you like this."
"Brother Myron, just let me cry. Let me cry until I die," Andy sobbed. "I didn't know you were already engaged to my sister. If that's the case, why did you come to mess with me?"
Myron anxiously grabbed Andy's hand.
"What sister? She doesn't deserve to be called your sister! Andy, she's just a stand-in for you."
"A stand-in?" Andy's eyes were still red. "Am I that easily replaceable?"
"Of course not!" Myron replied quickly. "You are a precious gem, and she is nothing but debris. Comparing you to her is an insult. Andy, my heart has only ever belonged to you."
His tone was devoted, dramatic—like a soap opera.
Meanwhile, his fiancée, Layla, stood silently nearby, listening to everything.
Lachlan's brows drew tighter.
Even though they were related, he had only recently met Myron. He had thought Myron was different from his unreliable mother. He had even considered bringing him back into the main family.
But now, seeing this?
What a complete jerk.
He glanced at Layla.
Noticing his gaze, Layla looked up and showed a perfect pleading expression.
In a whisper, she said, "Mr. Ferguson, please don't make a sound, okay?"
Lachlan held her gaze for a long moment… then nodded.
Meanwhile, the drama ahead continued.
Andy looked heartbroken. "But you still got engaged to her. Do you know how hard these past three years have been for me? Thinking of you was the only thing that kept me going."
Myron embraced her tightly.
"Andy! I never betrayed our love. The engagement—your father begged me. How could I refuse him?"
Andy hesitated. "Dad? Why?"
Myron sighed dramatically.
"Marriage bonds families. You went missing, but the Berry Family couldn't bear to lose the chance to marry into the Ferguson Family. They found Layla to take your place. Everyone knew what was going on, but it was the best arrangement at that time."
Andy's expression softened slightly.
"But now I'm back."
"With you here," Myron said firmly, "my wife can only be you. Andy, trust me—I'll end the engagement with Layla as soon as possible."
Andy bit her lip. "But you're so kind. What if she doesn't agree?"
Myron laughed coldly.
"She doesn't get a say in this."
Andy lightly hit his chest.
"You're so fierce… you scared me."
"I'm only gentle with you," he said tenderly.
She collapsed into his arms.
Then strange sounds began drifting toward Layla.
Layla: "…"