Chapter 1: The Gift Hidden in the Trash
The room remained silent after Daniel's words.
"You threw away her heart."
His voice never rose.
It didn't need to.
Emily stood frozen behind him, clutching the hem of her little dress as tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
Victoria folded her arms.
"It was just a piece of paper," she replied coldly.
Daniel didn't answer.
Instead, he carefully unfolded the crumpled handmade card.
Glitter still sparkled beneath the dust.
Tiny fingerprints covered the edges.
Inside, written in crooked crayons, were the words:
"Thank you for loving me even if I'm not your real daughter."
Daniel's hands trembled.
Emily had spent weeks making that gift.
She had asked the housekeeper every day what colors Victoria liked.
She had believed—despite everything—that maybe this time her stepmother would smile.
Daniel slowly looked at Victoria.
"You didn't throw away paper."
"You threw away my daughter's trust."
May you like
For the first time...
Victoria had no response.
