The room fell into a heavy silence.
Mr. Gladstone and Isabella, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly looked at the mother and daughter.
It was as if the air had been pulled out of the room.
Mrs. Gladstone covered her mouth. She had not meant to say those words.
Loretta stood frozen.
The color slowly drained from her face.
Her ears rang. Her mind went blank.
Rapist?
The word echoed in her head again and again.
"No…" she whispered, shaking her head.
That was not possible.
It could not be true.
As a child, she had asked her mother many times about her father.
Each time, the answer had been the same.
He is dead.
That was what she was told.
So this… this had to be a lie.
"You're lying," Loretta said, her voice trembling. "You're just saying that because you're angry."
Mrs. Gladstone did not reply.
She only looked at her, the resentment in her eyes clear.
That silence was louder than any words.
Loretta's heart pounded harder.
"No… say something," she demanded. "Tell me it's not true."
Still, no answer.
Her legs felt weak.
She took a step back.
Then another.
Her chest felt tight, like she could not breathe.
"So… all this time…" her voice broke, "you hated me because of him?"
Mrs. Gladstone turned her face away.
"I never wanted you," she said quietly.
The words cut deep.
Loretta felt like something inside her had shattered.
Mr. Gladstone finally spoke.
"Honey, that's enough," he said in a low voice. "It is all in the past."
But it was too late.
Everything had already been said.
Loretta let out a small, broken laugh.
"So that's it?" she said. "That's why?"
No one answered.
Isabella lowered her head, avoiding her gaze.
Loretta felt a bitter weight in her chest.
Life was unfair.
Why did she have to pay for her father's sins?
She looked at her mother again.
For the first time… she could not fully blame her. To raise the child of the man who hurt her… it could not have been easy.
But still—
Loretta had never asked to be born.
"I have raised you all these years," Mrs. Gladstone said. "My husband even gave you a name to be proud of. Marrying in Isabella's place is just a way to show gratitude," she said, as though it was a matter of course.
Loretta stared at her.
At that moment, she finally understood.
In her mother's eyes, she was never a daughter.
Just a burden.
A mistake.
A reminder of a past she hated.
Silence filled the room again.
Loretta lowered her gaze. She could walk out and never care about this family again, but the identity of a rapist's daughter—
It was not something she could take. She wanted to cut off her mother; since she did not want her as a daughter, there was no need to force it.
If this marriage was what it took to end it all...
Loretta took a slow breath.
Then looked up.
"Fine," she said.
Everyone turned to her, not sure what she meant.
"I will marry him."
Shock flashed across Mrs. Gladstone's face—then quickly turned into a smile.
"Good, good," she said, all smiles.
"But this will be the last time," Loretta continued, her voice cold. "The last time I call you mother. The last time I do anything for this family."
"Fine, fine," Mrs. Gladstone said quickly. "I won't ask you for anything again."
Her smile deepened.
Loretta would not survive the marriage anyway.
Promises meant nothing.
Beside her, Isabella let out a quiet breath of relief.
As long as she did not have to marry Kevin Goodman…
Nothing else mattered.
"Write it down," Loretta said.
Mrs. Gladstone frowned. "What?"
"Write it down," Loretta repeated. "From this moment on, we will have nothing to do with each other."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
She had heard too many promises before, only for them to be broken without a second thought.
This time, she wanted proof.
Mrs. Gladstone looked at her. For a brief moment, there was hesitation.
Loretta held her gaze.
A small part of her… hoped her mother would refuse. Hoped she would say no.
Hoped she would choose her even in this way.
But that moment passed.
Mrs. Gladstone nodded.
"I will have the documents prepared," she said. "You will receive them on your wedding day."
Something inside Loretta went quiet.
The last bit of hope… gone. She opened her mouth to speak—
But then, footsteps were heard.
Slow. Careless.
Benjamin walked in.
He was dressed in expensive clothes, his posture relaxed, his expression bored.
The youngest son of the family.
Spoiled and pampered.
Untouched by any hardship.
He was five years younger than Loretta and Isabella but carried himself like the center of the world.
His eyes swept across the room.
They paused on Loretta for only a second,
then moved away—
like she did not matter.
"Mom, Dad," he greeted casually, walking past her. He did not even bother to acknowledge Loretta.
He went straight to Isabella.
"Sis, how is your head injury? Is it still so painful?" he asked, his tone suddenly filled with concern.
Isabella gave a weak smile. "No, it is healing very well."
Benjamin frowned. "Are you sure?"
"It is not a serious injury," Mrs. Gladstone answered quickly. "The doctor already confirmed it," she said with a smile.
Benjamin clicked his tongue in annoyance. "You should be more careful."
His eyes softened as he looked at Isabella.
A clear difference from how he looked at Loretta.
Loretta stood there, watching.
Silent and invisible.
After a moment, Mrs. Gladstone spoke again.
"Loretta has agreed to marry Kevin Goodman in Isabella's place."
Benjamin paused.
Then he turned to look at Loretta again.
This time, his gaze held no surprise or concern.
"Good," he said simply. "That solves the problem. My big sister is so young. If she dies because of that cursed man, it would really be unfair."
Loretta's fingers tightened slightly.
That was all?
That was his reaction? Why did she have to be the one to die? The one who hit Kevin's car was Isabella.
Benjamin looked away, already losing interest.
"It's only fair anyway," he added. "She's the elder sister."
No one corrected him.
Loretta felt something inside her finally settle. No pain, no anger, just… clarity.
She had never been part of this family.
Not even for a moment.
To them, she was only useful when needed. Replaceable.
Disposable.
She let out a quiet breath.
Then picked up her bag. "Please, send the agreement to me as soon as possible; otherwise, I will not show up for the wedding." Saying that, she left the room. No one bothered to stop her. The family of four began to chat and laugh like they had no cares in the world.