She remained stretched out on the sofa, feeling completely at ease despite the chaos still swirling in the living room.

She was certain of the power behind her punch. It hadn’t been enough to seriously harm Robert—not even to dislocate his jaw—but just enough to ensure he’d feel the sting for a few days.

The pain was intentional. Only through it would he remember why he’d been struck and, hopefully, learn to stay quiet.

Fernanda didn’t rush to bed or head for the shower. She was waiting for something—or rather, someone.

Her fingers absentmindedly traced the surface of her phone, the screen flickering with each subtle movement.

After some time, there was a knock on her door.

No, it wasn’t a simple knock. It was more like someone hammering at the door.

Fernanda glanced down at her phone, quickly activated the recording feature, and then walked toward the door to open it. Erika stood on the doorstep, her eyes red with anger.

With an edge to her voice, she shouted, “Dad says it’s time for you to leave our house! You’re not his daughter anymore!”

Fernanda stayed unshaken, her calmness almost unnerving. “Oh? So, he said that?”

“Yes! He told you to leave, and he meant right this second!” Erika’s words were venomous, each one like a slap. “We should have never brought you back. You… you… Dad was right. He should have gotten rid of you when you were born. You’re nothing but bad luck!”

A light laugh escaped Fernanda. “Bad luck? What makes you say that? Is it because I ended my engagement with Bobby? Don’t I have the freedom to make my own decisions?”

“Absolutely not!” Erika hissed, her chin raised, dripping with contempt. “If it weren’t for that engagement, do you think we would have bothered seeking you out? Do you even know what you are, Fernanda? Worthless. Nobody cares if you live or die. You’re meant to be unloved, unwanted. Blame your bad luck—or blame your late mother for leaving you behind!”

Erika basked in the warmth of her rage, too absorbed in her triumph to recall how Robert had paid for spouting similar nonsense earlier.

All the resentment she had felt since Fernanda’s return to the Morgan family surged forth at this moment, like a flood finally breaking through a dam.

Erika reveled in the release, savoring the satisfaction after holding everything in for so long.

The feeling was intoxicating. With Fernanda’s engagement to Bobby over, she was now insignificant to the Morgan family. And after what Fernanda had done to Robert today, their bond was shattered beyond repair.

She was as good as gone. The Morgans would cast her aside, and she would be disgracefully banished.

Just the thought of it made Erika’s heart race with joy. Everything had returned to its rightful place before Fernanda had ever crossed her path. A gleam of victory flashed in Erika’s eyes as she stared at Fernanda, and then a laugh escaped her lips.

After a moment, Fernanda’s voice cut through the air. “It’s late today. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

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