Misunderstanding

Chapter 26(Nathalie POV)

I felt a rush of horror and panic engulf me as I found myself trapped in Chase's embrace. The tightness of his grip made me feel suffocated, as if the walls were closing in on me. Confusion gnawed at my mind - why was he holding me? Did he like Nancy?

I attempted to push him away but my body was still weak, my trembling hands only managing to press against his chest. A surge of warmth spread across my cheeks.

"How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Water? Food? Rest?" His concern seemed genuine, choking slightly as he finally released me.

 I couldn't help but be struck by the difference between the way he treated "Nancy" and myself. 

I lowered my eyes, staring at my lap and shook my head in response to his question.

Chase's gaze lingered on my face, his eyes locked in a daze, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. However, the silence was abruptly shattered by a piercing shriek from my mother outside of the room. 

"Madame Adams?" Chase furrowed his eyebrows. He interlocked his fingers with mine and strolled outside, where I had no choice but to follow. That was where, in the hall, I saw the real Nancy. 

My blood ran cold, my pace paling with horror. 

Our parents, Madame Adams and Sir Adams, stood in the middle, their emotions evident. Madame Adams was in tears, casting fleeting glances back at me and Nancy. Meanwhile, Sir Adams appeared perplexed, adjusting his glasses in confusion. The room was tense, and the air was heavy with uncertainty.

"Mother!" Nancy wailed, her voice hoarse. I noticed that Anthony stood behind her, his gaze flickering onto me. A smirk played on his lips, leaving me unsettled.

Oh gosh.

"W-what?" Madame Adams staggered back. "Which one is my daughter?"

I scoffed. What if I told her, we were both her daughters?

Chase stood beside me, his eyebrows knitted together and his lips pursued. Nancy pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice choked with anguish. Her disheveled hair and tattered dress bore witness to the ordeal she had endured. "She's an impersonator!"

"Mother! I am the real Nancy!" Nancy rushed towards Madame Adams, desperation evident in every step, and lifted her sleeve, revealing a beautiful rose tattoo. "Look! I bear the rose tattoo that only our family members have! Its intricate design is impossible to replicate!" 

Slowly, Madame Adams lifted her own trembling sleeve, revealing an identical tattoo. Her voice quivered, "N-Nancy?"

I felt the last piece of my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

"Mother!" I watched as Nancy was embraced by Madame Adams, seeking solace in her mother's arms, both of them sobbing uncontrollably. 

Sir Adams stepped forward, his voice trembling with concern. "Nancy, what happened to you?"

 Amidst her tears, Nancy managed to speak, her voice strained, "Hick... hick... Mother... Father... I'm sorry for running away... Hick! But... if I hadn't returned, she would have stolen my life, wouldn't she?" She pointed to me. "You would have never looked for me; you would have treated her like a princess! She's an impersonator! She had plastic surgery! If I hadn't returned, I would have been tortured every day while she lived with you, being pampered by Lisa and receiving your love!"

Nancy's sobs grew even more intense.

Madame Adams held her tighter, her own tears mingling with her daughter's. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm a terrible mother!" 

"We should have recognized that she wasn't our daughter. Please, forgive us! We'll make it up to you, baby... Please don't hate us..." 

Their voices faded into the background as I numbly turned to leave. This was never truly my place. But suddenly, Sir Adams grabbed my arm, his eyes burning with anger. 

"You think you can escape that easily, whoever you are?! You almost destroyed our family!" He forcefully shoved me against the marble floor, delivering a stinging slap across my face. 

Augh!

I clutched my cheek, my ears ringing as I tasted blood flooding my mouth. 

My gaze shifted towards Nancy and Madame Adams, locked in an embrace, their sobs echoing through the room.

"You look so young, yet so cruel!" Mr. Adams roared, his anger fueling his actions. "You almost destroyed!"

Mr. Adams gripped my collar, his voice seething with rage. Tears pooled in my eyes. I couldn't help but laugh. 

"You don't deserve to laugh!" Mr. Adams pushed me against the wall, yanking at my hair.

 The man who had treated me with love and care when he believed I was Nancy just a few minutes ago, was now unleashing fury upon me. The woman who had referred me as her precious baby a mere hour ago now stared coldly, watching as I was beaten. 

Despair overwhelmed me, hardening my heart. 

"I owe my daughter so much..." Mr Adams sighed.

Which one? I asked in sign language, staring at him with mockery overflowing my face. 

He froze, momentarily stunned. 

I was too. He understood sign language? I didn't expect him to.

"What do you mean which one? I only have one daughter, Nancy!"

I burst into mad laughter. Who is Nathalie then? A forgotten burden? I felt humiliation as tears began flowing down my cheeks once again. Damn it Nathalie, stop crying!

"Who?" He released me and I slumped onto the floor.

Nathalie. The mute daughter of yours that you abandoned years ago.

"N-Nathalie?" The anger faded from his face, replaced with shock. 

Yes, that's me. Do you know how I lived my life?! Also, I never even wanted to come here! I tried to tell that maid Lisa, but she forcefully brought me here! All of you insisted that I have amnesia and never listened to me! Now that the real Nancy is back, you're blaming me? 

I unleashed all my anger on them. Mr Adams, the only person here who knew sign language, stared at me, stunned.

I lived my life in hell while Nancy was treated like a princess! I pointed to Anthony. I never killed Chase's mum! I bet it was Nancy! I'm only here because Anthony's father assigned me on a mission to kill you! I tried to tell you everything but Alice pushed me down the stairs, then you blamed me and attempted to sell me... 

Everything else came gushing out like a waterfall; my whole life story. Mr Adams translated everything I said in a mumble, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Staring at everyone's shocked, guilty faces, I felt relieved. 

"Nathalie, I-" Chase stepped forward.

"Baby, I'm sorry, I'll call the doctor-" Mr Adams reached for me.

Nancy dug her face into Mrs Adam's chest, where Mrs Adam looked at me with pain in her eyes. "Honey-"

I'm done. I don't need their fake apologies. When they didn't know the truth, all of them ruined my life. I'm tired of explaining and giving people second chances.