Chapter 5%
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As a man, Wendel had never been able to refuse the obedient and submissive Iris.}
But today, this woman who had been by his side since childhood, who had never once defied him, suddenly felt unfamiliar.
For the first time, he began to reflect–perhaps, just perhaps, not everything that happened today was Iris‘ fault.
“Wendel…”
Esther tugged at Wendel’s sleeve, her voice soft and pitiful. “Maybe we should just leave it at that for today. If Iris is really upset, that wouldn’t be good…“}
Iris almost laughed out loud.
Esther probably never imagined that one day, her pitiful act would stop working.}
In her past life, the moment Esther shed a tear, Iris would have been so guilt–ridden that she would have dropped to her knees to apologize.
On the other hand, the moment Wendel heard those words, it was as if he had been injected with adrenaline.}
His expression turned serious, and he spoke with righteous indignation.
“Even if Esther misunderstood you, your words were too harsh! Esther is sensitive–she’ll be upset for days because of this. You need to apologize! Besides, she’s younger than you. It’s only natural for you to give in to her.“>
A wave of bitterness surged in Iris‘ heart.§
Two lifetimes had passed, and yet Wendel still didn’t remember–Esther was actually three months older than her. She was the youngest in the family, not Esther.
But at this moment, she had no interest in arguing over such trivial facts.}
She refused to back down. Glaring at him, she enunciated each word clearly.
“1. Will. Not. Apologize.”
Tension filled the air. The three of them stood in silence, locked in a standoff.”
“What’s going on here? Why aren’t you all in bed at this hour?“}
Their adoptive mother and father emerged from their room, looking concerned.}
Wendel brushed them off. “Dad, Mom, go back to sleep. This doesn’t concern you.“}
The moment their adoptive parents appeared, Esther reacted instinctively-her tears started falling again.
“Mom, Dad… please don’t worry, really, everything’s fine…“>
Hearing her beloved adopted daughter cry, the adoptive mother’s heart twisted in pain. She rushed forward to comfort her.
“Who bullied you? Tell me! I’ll stand up for you!“}
Esther sniffled. “It’s nothing… Iris didn’t mean it…“}
The moment Iris‘ name was mentioned, a cold glint flashed in their adoptive mother’s eyes.
“You shameless thing!” Stella shrieked.}
She grabbed Iris and, without hesitation, slapped her hard across the face.
She cursed furiously, “We took you in to shield Wendel from misfortune, not so you could turn our family upside down! Who do you think you are, daring to bully Esther?”
“You were almost killed by human traffickers back then. If not for me, you would’ve been dead long ago! You owe me a debt of gratitude you can never repay! And now, you dare cause trouble in our home?“}
Holding her stinging, swollen cheek, Iris felt a deep, suffocating grievance rise in her chest.
These words had been drilled into her since childhood.}
She knew she had to repay her debt. That was why she had taken on all the household chores from a young age–so that when Wendel and Esther came home from school, they could do their homework while she fed the pigs and ducks, washed the family’s clothes, and worked late into the night.
When the family couldn’t afford to send all three children to school, she was the first to be sacrificed.
Even when she discovered the whereabouts of her biological parents, she was forbidden from contacting them.”
The Lancaster family couldn’t stand the thought of their doormat leaving–let alone seeing her live a life of wealth and comfort.
But this time was different.
She had been reborn. She would not walk down the same doomed path again.
Her voice was hoarse as she spoke softly, “If I’ve repaid my debt, can I leave?“}
Stella froze, clearly not expecting such a question.
Then, she burst into laughter.
