At that moment, Olivia asked if Natasha still remembered Emilia.


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    What came to Natasha’s mind first was thest look before her death–a nce that, for a brief second, almost felt like the smile in the painting.


    Olivia’s sharp fingernail traced lightly across Natasha’s stiff cheek without leaving a mark.


    She said coldly, “Why are you still alive? The rk family only needs one daughter. Back when you weren’t around, everything was just fine.”


    Olivia’s voice was low, like a release of resentment, yet also like a vow. She said, “Natasha, anyone in this world can live well–except you.”


    Downstairs, the two had gone too long to get the gift, and the rks kept ncing toward the


    staircase.


    Madeline looked hesitant, asking, “Natasha has a bad temper. You don’t think they’re fighting, do you?”


    Andrew stayed seated, fairlyposed. “Not today. She won’t make a scene. Rx.”


    The most impatient one, Noel, spoke with annoyance. “I’ll go check.” He was about to head upstairs.


    Thomas stopped him. “If something really is going on, you’ll only make it worse. I’ll go.”


    Letting those two firecrackers be in the same room was risky enough–Thomas feared they’d blow the roof off. Neither of them was ever any trouble–free.


    By the time Thomas reached the second floor, he heard Olivia’s urgent, pained voiceing from a room. “Please! Don’t!”


    Then came the sound of something hitting the floor.


    Thomas froze for a second before quickly rushing toward the noise. The others downstairs heard it too and hurried after him.


    Inside the room, Thomas opened the door to see Natasha standing across from Olivia.


    On the floory a dagger–a army knife encrusted with small diamonds that Thomas had once given Natasha.


    Back then, Natasha had been especially into fighting and self–defense, After the whole kidnapping mix–up, Thomas, though often annoyed with her, still thought it was a good idea for a girl to have some way to protect herself.


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    Even if she hurt someone, the rks could handle it. Better the other person got hurt than


    Natasha.


    So on her birthday—though they didn’t celebrate—Thomas had secretly given her that knife.


    Natasha had been genuinely thrilled, treasuring it ever since and never letting anyone touch it.


    Now it was on the floor. Across from her, Olivia clutched a painting with a sh through it, tears filling her red eyes.


    Without thinking, Thomas strode over, stepping across the knife, and steadied the tilting painting for Olivia. “Natasha! What the hell are you doing?”


    By now, the rest of the family had arrived, all staring at the scene in confusion.


    Usually soft–spoken, Olivia raised her voice for once, clearly heartbroken. “Natasha! I know you hate that Mom and Dad gave Grandma’s house to me. But if you wanted it, I could have given it to


    you.


    “You burned it down without saying a word. If you have a problem, take it out on me–why destroy my mom’s painting? She was so good to you when she was alive. Can’t you show her even a little respect now that she’s gone?”


    The evidence was right there, and Olivia’s sobs made her sound even more convincing. Anyone would think Natasha had done it on purpose for revenge.


    Damaging a deceased person’s portrait–this time even Madeline couldn’t hold back. She hit Natasha, eyes red. “Apologize to your sister.”


    Natasha’sshes lowered. “I didn’t do it.”


    Standing behind her to block any escape, Noel scoffed. “If it wasn’t you, then who? You two were the only ones in here.”


    Noel went on, still indignant. “Do you know how much effort Olivia put into that painting? She started with nothing, learning from scratch, ruining draft after draft. So many times I’de out for a drink while gamingte at night and see her light still on, painting.


    ‘Aunt Emilia loved beautiful portraits. This was what she nned to bring for her today. You’ve already caused her death, and now you’re picking on her daughter.”


    Madeline clutched her chest, raising her voice. “Apologize!”


    Back when Natasha was little, Emilia had doted on her even more than on Olivia.


    ‘How could I face her in the afterlife now?‘ Madeline thought, owing Emilia too much.


    Meanwhile, Andrew and Thomas both looked at Natasha with the same unspoken judgment.


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    With no cameras in the room, of course they would trust the sweet, obedient older daughter they’d


    lived with for years.


    Natasha pressed her lips together. Olivia, no matter what arguments they had, had always been careful when it came to her mother.


    So Natasha had never expected she’d ruin her own mother’s portrait just to frame her.


    That was why, when Olivia said she was going to get something to give to Emilia, Natasha hadn’t thought recording anything.


    There was no proof. Even if there were, maybe it wouldn’t matter.


    The rk family stood around her, just like the day she woke up and they coldly told her they’d be taking Olivia in as her real sister from now on.


    She had to give in to Olivia, respect her–because she owed her.


    Emilia’s death was the shackle, built just for Natasha.


    Natasha didn’t feel heartache, but her eyes still brimmed with the involuntary sting of tears–so faint no one would notice unless they looked closely.


    She held her back straight, silent.


    Because of this, the atmosphere during this year’s visit to Emilia’s grave was even heavier than usual.


    By the time they arrived at the cemetery, a light drizzle had started, with the rain growing heavier.


    They stood under umbres before Emilia’s gravestone. Olivia ced a bouquet of her mother’s favorite lilies on the grave.


    The painting wasn’t with her–Olivia said it was no longer perfect, and her mother wouldn’t like it. Next year, she would paint a new one for her. <fn3e98> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n FindN0vel</fn3e98>


    Olivia evenforted the family, saying that by then her skills would be better, and maybe her mom would be even happier.


    Her words only made the rks feel more guilty and even less patient with Natasha.


    “Apologize, Andrew said coldly once the service ended, his eyes on the silent Natasha.


    This was the woman who had died because of her Looking at the rain–washed photo of the gravestone, Natasha didn’t resist this time.


    She dropped to her knees in front of the grave and said sorry to Emilia


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    Soon, her knees hit the wet ground, the chill quickly soaking through.


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    Andrew continued, “We’re not asking you to worship your savior’s daughter, but you can’t be ungrateful. Think about everything you’ve done all these years.


    “You don’t even have the courage to admit your mistakes. Can you face your aunt like this? Today, you’ll repent to her right here.”


    The family’s usations fell on her one after another. And the rain grew heavier, wind driving it into her face, the umbres doing little to help.


    It was so cold that Natasha felt like she had never left the storm of that day when she was six.


    Olivia eventually persuaded the family to head back to the car. The two of them stayed–one kneeling, one standing–before Emilia’s grave.


    After a long silence<i>, </i>Olivia finally spoke. “You know, when I was little, I actually envied you.”