Chapter 1

Three months after I died, my family received news from the detective they had sent out that their long-lost child once lived at The Orchard orphanage.

“The Orchard? Isn’t that where Natalie Crane used to stay? Even the detective got played by her.” My brother, a talented young CEO, sneered.

“It’s just a coincidence that she actually stayed there. She’s always hanging around with thugs and frequently sleeping out.” Jason, my crush, also spoke with disgust.

“Hmph, she really is a worthless girl. All she does is bully our Jasmine. Don’t mention her in front of me ever again.” My father, the chairman of a major corporation, rubbed his temples wearily.

Jasmine, the pretty and frail foster child, trembled in fear upon hearing that and huddled closer to my mother. My mother immediately patted her back to reassure her, “Don’t be afraid, honey. Your dad and I won't be fooled by her. Besides, she was already kicked out, she won’t dare come back to bully you.”

“I know Mom. With you and Dad protecting me, I’m not afraid anymore.” She clung tightly to my mother with trust and then looked up at her, speaking with an innocent air. “Mom, but what if that news is really about my sister? Maybe she stayed in the same place as Natalie.”

“Sign, honey, you are so kind, always thinking of others.” My mother stroked her head. “Any other child would be neglected because they’d be afraid of their parents bringing their biological child back.”

“Mom, what are you saying? I know you and Dad will always love me like your own child.” Jasmine flashed an angelic smile.

Floating in the air, I couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. The Larson family, whether now or in the past, was still a happy family without me. Was it because my parents had a foster child who always acted so well-behaved that they didn't want to bring me back?

“The detective also sent a photo. It’s the shirt the young miss wore on the day she went missing,” my father’s assistant suddenly stepped forward, handing him a phone.

I flew in front of the screen and saw the small shirt embroidered with flowers that the director had given me on the day I turned 18 and moved out of The Orchard.

“This is the shirt you wore as a child when you were found.” The director had said.

Seeing the shirt, my mother’s demeanor changed slightly, her voice trembling, “That… that is the shirt I designed with my own hands. Those flowers were embroidered by me too.”

“Hmph, that director is truly cunning. He must be in league with Natalie to trick us.” Kyler, my brother, said angrily. “Mom, didn’t we once post a search for our lost daughter using that shirt? You’re a famous designer. Many people make knock-offs of your items. That girl once came to me, saying she had a shirt just like it. She definitely bought a fake. Luckily, I wasn’t fooled.”

Even though I could no longer cry, I couldn't help but feel bitter hearing him say that. He never believed a single word I said was the truth, even when I tried to prove I was the lost daughter of the Larson family.

“She even went that far? Unbelievable!” My father roared, making me jump. “She really is a girl who stops at nothing!”

Everyone in that family hated me. It seemed they didn't want to welcome me back at all. In their eyes, from beginning to end, there was only Jasmine. Perhaps they had forgotten me. I was about to fly away in sadness when I heard my mother speak.

“But what we posted was only the design sketch. We never revealed a photo of the completed shirt.” Her voice was trembling, tinged with a hint of urgency.

I stopped and looked back. In her eyes, there seemed to be a flicker of doubt, and then she grabbed her husband’s hand and said, “We must see it with our own eyes. If she dares to lie to us, we must give her what she deserves.”

“Mom, calm down. Don’t get angry because of her.” Jasmine sweetly advised. “I think Natalie is just temporarily corrupted because she fell in with a bad crowd, not that she's a fraud. This is probably just a prank of hers.”

“Are you stupid? You’re still defending her at a time like this!” Kyler tapped her on the head, scolding her but with a voice full of doting affection.

“Alright, Mom, don’t be impatient. Let me call that director and have him bring the shirt for us to see.” He said to my mother as he pulled out his phone to call.

I glided closer to him, listening. The other end picked up after a moment. The director’s irritated voice rang out, “Hello. Kyler Larson, I told you people not to call me anymore. What else do you want?”

The director’s attitude was like that because he cared for me deeply. After Kyler called me a fraud, I had once run back to tell him, and he was very disappointed and angry with them.

“Mr. Crane, you still act so high and mighty?” Kyler laughed mockingly, “Aren’t you and Natalie in league to trick us? I heard you have my lost sister's shirt. Dare you bring it for us to see if it’s real?”

The director panted with rage through the receiver, “Kyler, you are so arrogant! I called you before, wanting to meet your family to clear Natalie's name, but now… I see it’s meaningless. Poor girl, not being born into a better family.”

His voice couldn't help but choke up. A director like him couldn't personally care for every child in the orphanage, so he only hoped we would find families of our own.

“Haa. So you won’t agree?” Kyler said coldly. “Then let Natalie take the phone. We want to see that shirt.”

The other end was silent for a few seconds, followed by a long sigh that chilled my heart.

That’s right. The Larson family still didn’t know that I was already dead.

“She is no longer here. She has gone to a very beautiful place. My wife is taking good care of her. Perhaps it won’t be long before I join them too.” The director said, his voice soft and calm.

I couldn't help but bow my head in emotion at his words. He had given me his own last name, treating me as their daughter. He wanted me to stay at The Orchard, but because I didn't want to owe them too much, I moved out when I turned 18.

From beginning to end, only he regarded me as family. I suddenly felt a sense of regret for those peaceful days at The Orchard, wondering if I hadn't moved out back then, would I still be living very happily now?

“Then where is your wife? Hello, hello…?” Kyler asked, but the other end only had the “beep beep” of the call being disconnected.

“Damn old man!” He snapped and then turned to the assistant. “Do you know where his wife is? He said Natalie is there with her.”

“...” The assistant remained silent.

I looked up at him, seeing the whole family waiting for him with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

“What’s wrong with you? Speak up!” My mother urged impatiently, her voice panicked.

“Yes, I know,” the assistant started, nodding like a machine, his face looking troubled. “But she… she… passed away a long time ago.”