Chapter 223

“Do we look alike?” Myra asked herself.
Myra felt a swirl of complicated emotions. Felicia was her biological daughter, no doubt, but that cold, prickly demeanor of hers was hard to warm up to. It was like hugging a cactus. No matter how much Myra tried, Felicia never softened up. Over time, her initial excitement about reuniting with her long-lost daughter cooled. First, it became calm acceptance; now, it bordered on disappointment.
Hearing the maid’s cheerful remark, Myra’s spirits lifted slightly. She walked over to Felicia, forcing a warm smile. “Why are you back so late? Change into something more appropriate. You can’t dress like that tonight.” Felicia glanced at her and shrugged. “I’m fine like this.”
Her closet had barely been touched in months. The dresses hanging there were ones Myra had picked out when Felicia first moved back home. She had worn two, maybe three, but the rest were still brand new with the tags intact. Myra frowned. “It’s your birthday. At least make an effort. What about those dresses I got you before…” She trailed off, realizing mid-sentence that those dresses were already out of style.
Even if Felicia didn’t mind, people would talk. They might think the Fuller family’s daughter couldn’t even afford something new.
After a brief pause, Myra’s tone sharpened. “You could’ve bought something yourself.”
Felicia didn’t want to argue, but the unfairness of the comment got to her. She glanced up and said, “Did Kayla buy her own dress?”
Well, Felicia clearly knew the answer. Kayla obviously didn’t buy her own dress. Her dress had been handpicked by Myra and delivered directly by the brand. And her custom heels? They were designed by a designer Myra hired. Felicia didn’t usually care about Myra’s favoritism-she was perfectly capable of buying her own things. But being unfairly scolded for it made her snap back.
Myra’s face flushed, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. She had thought about Felicia when planning things, but Felicia’s cold attitude and her refusal to even call Myra “Mom” made her so angry that she stopped trying.
Felicia brushed past her without another word, heading straight for the buffet table. She was hungry, and eating sounded way better than dealing with the party.
The maid leaned closer to Myra, her voice soft and consoling. “Mrs. Fuller, don’t take it to heart. Ms. Felicia is your daughter. Mothers and daughters always find a way to make up.”
The birthday party was meant to celebrate both Felicia and Kayla, but it was obvious who the spotlight belonged to.
While Felicia sat quietly by herself, Kayla was surrounded by friends and coursemates, soaking up the attention.
Every laugh, every compliment, and
every bit of admiration went to
Kayla. Even Myra and Dexter seemed to save their warmest smiles for her. The guests, who didn’t even realize it was also
Felicia’s birthday, didn’t spare her a second glance.
After finishing her food, Felicia wiped her hands and turned around. She spotted Sebastian making his way through the crowd.
With his usual easygoing smile, he ignored everyone else and walked straight to her. “Guess what I got you?” he said, extending his hand. Felicia blinked at him, caught off guard. “I have no idea.”
Sebastian opened his palm to reveal a necklace. Its pendant was a small, intricate globe designed to look like a tiny planet.
“Do you like it?” he asked, his voice warm.
Felicia smiled slightly and was about to reply when another hand shot in, snatching the necklace away.
Kayla’s familiar voice rang out, sounding playfully annoyed. “Sebastian, you’re so mean! You knew + wanted this one, but you gave me the swan instead. Let’s just swap, okay, Felicia?”
Felicia glanced at Kayla and finally noticed the necklace she was wearing a sleek black swan pendant.
With a cheerful grin, Kayla placed
the swan necklace back in Sebastian’s hand, her tone sweet and bubbly. “Come on, Sebastian, please?” she said, flashing him an
innocent and calcula
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