Wendy knew the busy lobby was no place for a confession this heavy. She needed absolute privacy to confess this secret, terrified she might never get another chance.

“Natalie, let’s find somewhere quiet to sit down. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you exactly why I was so cold to you.”

Natalie remained deeply skeptical. If there was some tragic, hidden motive, Wendy should have revealed it years ago instead of waiting until everything was already destroyed.

But looking at the desperate pleading in Wendy’s eyes, Natalie finally relented with a slight nod. “Luna, take us to the executive lounge.”

“Right away,” Luna said.

As they moved, Wendy hesitantly held out an elegant shopping bag. “Natalie… I brought you a holiday gift.”

Natalie froze, staring at the luxury branding on the bag. Over the past few years, Wendy had never once bought her a holiday gift. Wendy had always spent the weeks leading up to the New Year exclusively hunting down hundred-thousand- dollar designer gowns for Joanna, treating her like absolute royalty.

Years ago, Natalie would have wept with joy at receiving a gift like this. Now, she felt absolutely nothing.

In the past, Wendy used to intentionally dote on Joanna right in front of Natalie. She would micromanage every detail of Joanna’s life with suffocating affection. The dining table was always laden with Joanna’s favorite gourmet pastries and imported fruits. Wendy would ask Joanna about her sleep quality in the softest, most loving tone, fretting over whether she was having nightmares.

And while saying those things, Wendy would always shoot a deliberate, icy glance at Natalie. It used to tear Natalie’s heart to shreds. But having grown up without a mother, she had constantly deluded herself, thinking, If I just work harder, if I become flawless, Mom will finally love me.

Now, she realized that entire desperate pursuit had been a pathetic joke.

If someone didn’t want to love you, no amount of perfection would ever change their mind. They could look right through your bleeding heart and feel nothing.

And now? This belated guilt offering was completely worthless to her.

Her voice was pure ice. “I appreciate the thought, but we severed our ties. There’s no need for you to waste money buying me clothes.”

Wendy knew she would reject it, but hearing the absolute finality in her daughter’s voice was a devastating blow. This was her own karma.

“Natalie, I…”

“Didn’t you have something important to say?” Natalie cut her off sharply. “Let’s stick to the point. The past is the past. We’ve all accepted how things are, so don’t try to drag up old history to play the victim.”

Wendy stared at Natalie’s stunning, indifferent face, swallowing her words.

As the three of them turned toward the lounge, a shrill, furious voice echoed across the marble floor.

“Natalie Sanders! Stop right there!”

Natalie signaled Luna to halt.

Luna turned, and a flash of murderous intent crossed her eyes when she saw Joanna. But noticing that Joanna was also strapped into a wheelchair, a satisfied smirk touched her lips.

Horace was pushing Joanna across the lobby. Natalie looked her up and down and let out a mocking laugh

“Joanna. The you took quite a

en

beating op New Year’s Eve Looks like the rumors were true. Are your legs permanently crippled now?”

Joanna had come specifically to scream at Natalie, but the immediate reminder of her catastrophic holiday rendered her speechless with rage. It had been an absolute nightmare.

Just as she opened her mouth to snap back, she noticed Wendy standing to the side.

Joanna’s eyes locked onto the luxury gift bag in Wendy’s hands, and pure, venomous jealousy

flooded her veins. Every single year, Wendyhad bought her an exclusive gown from that exact designer,

designer, tossing Natalie cheap clothes

while tossing Natali

are bought online. This year, Wendy was

trying to hand Natalie the crown jewels.

“Wendy Scott, Joanna sneered, her voice dripping with spite. “You used to beg me to wear those dresses., You only ever gave Natalie your garbage. And now you’re here trying to shower her with luxury? Too bad she doesn’t even want it!”