Chapter 3

After all that mess, I couldn't bring myself to eat anymore.

Bernice slumped into a chair, quietly sobbing. "How could this happen?"

My face turned icy instantly, irritated while waiting for Bernice to explain herself.

When she stayed silent, I asked, "Bernice, what's going on?"

But Bernice avoided my gaze, guilt written all over her face.

Finally, she managed to choke out a few words. "Nevaeh, I'm so sorry."

With that, tears streamed down her face, her shoulders trembling with each sob.

Honestly, I would always fall for her tears. The moment she cried, my heart softened. I took her hand and comforted her. "Take your time. No rush."

She nodded and said, "It's all because Chad wanted to look good. He bragged to his girlfriend that he drove a luxury car, lived in a big villa, and that his family owned a company. By the time I tried to come clean with Luna, she was already carrying Chad's child. I had no choice but to help him keep up the act."

I frowned. "So what's with calling me your stepdaughter?"

Bernice looked away and said helplessly, "I thought you wouldn't be back for a few more months. I asked Chad to check out some apartments, but before he even did that, he spent the money on a car. When Luna saw you this afternoon and asked who you were, I panicked and told her you were my second husband's daughter. I'm sorry, Nevaeh. I didn't mean to do it on purpose."

It was no wonder that Luna didn't get angry when Bernice hit her earlier. She must be putting up with all this for the promise of wealth.

I lowered my head in frustration and sighed. "Bernice, you really made a mistake this time."

My mom died when I was little, and my dad was always busy with work. Bernice basically raised me herself.

My dad was grateful for everything she did, and he knew raising Chad on her own wasn't easy for her. So when Chad graduated, my dad gave him a cushy position at the company.

About a year ago, my dad had a stroke from working too hard and was left paralyzed. I was totally lost and wanted to come home to take care of him, but Bernice stopped me. She promised she'd look after him so I wouldn't have to worry and could keep working at the company.

She really did keep her word, taking care of my dad all the way until he passed, never once complaining or asking for anything in return.

I would always be grateful for what she had done for me.

Bernice looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes as she begged, "Nevaeh, please, for my sake, don't tell Luna just yet. I'm getting old, and if I die without ever holding my grandchild, I'll never rest in peace."

I hesitated, thought it over for a moment, and then frowned. "I can cover for you guys for now, but Bernice, you really need to come clean to Luna soon. It's good if she accepts the truth after the baby's birth, but if she sues you for tricking her into marriage, you may end up in jail."

Hearing that, Bernice wiped her tears and nodded sincerely.

*****

In the middle of the night, I woke up with my bladder about to burst.

On my way to the bathroom, I passed by the master bedroom and caught the sound of someone moving around inside, along with a dim, flickering light.

I couldn't help but frown. That was my parents' old room. After my mom passed, only my dad stayed in it.

And it had been vacant since he passed away.

So who on earth would be inside at this hour?

Could it be Bernice was up late cleaning or something?

I pushed the door open, about to tell her to get some sleep.

But it wasn't Bernice inside. It was Luna.

Chad was nowhere to be seen. Luna was leaning back in the chair, lounging in a lacy nightgown and dabbing moisturizer on her face in front of the vanity mirror.

She turned her head sharply when she heard the door open, shooting me a quick look.

Keeping her distance, Luna said nonchalantly, "So this is what a top student looks like? No sense of decency or respect. Didn't your parents ever teach you to knock before entering someone else's room?"

I scoffed and shot back, "Yeah, well, at least I'm not the kind of person who thinks taking without asking isn't stealing."

Luna slammed the moisturizer down on the table, her face flushed with rage. "Nevaeh, you're just a stepdaughter, a parasite in the Eaton family. How dare you call me a thief? You really think I can't have Chad throw you out right now?"

"Oh, I'd love to see who gets kicked out tonight," I retorted, not giving her any respect. I grabbed her arm and started dragging her toward the door.

Luna struggled, yelling, "Nevaeh, are you crazy? This is my room."