Misunderstanding

Chapter 27(Nancy POV)

"Nathalie... Oh, Nathalie, my precious daughter!"  Her arms, once tightly wrapped around me, fell limp, releasing me from her desperate embrace. Her breaths were heavy and labored, intermingled with hiccups and streams of tears that cascaded down her face.

Father dropped onto his knees in front of Nathalie, his eyes filled with regret, his voice trembling as he reached out to clasp Nathalie's hands. "Nathalie, please find it in your heart to forgive your father!"

Even Chase unexpectedly stepped forward, pain etched across his face, his voice laden with regret. "Nathalie, I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused you."

 In a state of disbelief, I stood rooted to the spot, witnessing a scene that shattered the image of my parents and even Chase. How could they be so focused on Nathalie, so desperate for that useless brat's forgiveness? I'm a thousand times better than her! I'm the daughter that they raised, not that wild ugly girl!

Nathalie forcefully removed Father's hands away from hers and distanced herself between them.

"Please, Nat, I am willing to do anything to make things right," Father pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation. 

Was this even my high and mighty father?! 

 "Hick... Nathalie, this is entirely our fault. We failed as parents," Mother's voice quivered as she spoke between sniffles. Nathalie's face remained cold and expressionless but I noticed her trembling fists. 

"Years ago, a sinister, unknown man contacted us, demanding one of our daughters... We were filled with anguish... your father and I were determined to protect both of you, but..." Mother's sobs intensified, her voice choked with grief, "if we refused, he threatened to murder our entire family. Left with no choice, we were forced to abandon you..."

Nathalie's expressionless mask crumpled. I knew a thousand thoughts were running through her head. Probably shocked to find out that the Lord who had "saved" her was the culprit behind everything. Probably shocked to realize that I was the favored one, the one our parents chose to keep because unlike someone, I wasn't mute.

Nathalie gestured something with her hands.

 Father's face drained of color, his head hung low in abject shame. "We... we believed that Nancy had a brighter future, and so we chose her... please... we... I... Please understand, Nathalie, we were poor citizens at that time! We were too afraid to call the Police! Please forgiv-"

Nathalie turned away and gestured something else.

"Please, Father begs you-!"

Nathalie lifted her legs to leave, but before she could make her exit, I impulsively ran towards her. With a resounding slap on her cheek, my words unleashed a torrent of bitterness. "You wretched creature! Your forgiveness is worthless! You're disgusting, dumb, and utterly unwanted! Everyone adores me, while no one gives a damn about you! So just leave and stop acting like you are above everyone!"

Dazed, Nathalie staggered backwards, her faltering figure swiftly caught by Chase, his worried face making my heart ache in envy.

"Nancy!" Father roared, and Mother hastened to Nathalie's side, anxiously inquiring about her well-being. Instantly, a veil of tears blurred my vision. Father had never raised his voice at me before, and Mother, who normally would have taken my side, now stood with the rest of them, gazing at me as if I was the outsider.

"Mother! I am your daughter, not her!" My trembling finger pointed accusingly at Nathalie, my bottom lip quivering uncontrollably. "I overheard you telling Father that there was no way she survived and that she's dead!"

 "Shut up!" Father's hand rose threateningly, poised to strike, but he abruptly halted, his action frozen in mid-air. My widened eyes registered a mix of shock and fear. 

"Y-you were going to s-slap me for an impersonator?!" My voice cracked, tears streaming down my face. 

"She's not an impersonator! She's your sister!"

"I don't have a sister! And you guys only have one daughter! It's either me or her!"

Nathalie's gaze flickered towards me for a fleeting moment, then she turned to depart. Mother grasped her arm, her voice filled with desperation. "Nathalie, please, give us a chance to make it up to you! We can be a family of four!"

A family of four? A family of four?! Had they ignored my words for the first time?!

"I said, it's either me or her!" I screamed. My hand seized a gleaming knife from a nearby tray, its glimmering blade pointing perilously close to my own throat. 

Gasps rippled through the room, hanging heavy with shock and horror.