Revenge of the Substitute Daughter

　　I looked down at Mrs. Lloyd, her tears falling down endlessly, and thought, If she knew her daughter was beaten to death with a shovel and then thrown onto the road to be run over by a truck, and that the murderer was the daughter she lovingly raised for 18 years, how heartbroken would she be?

　　Her real daughter never received a shred of warmth, while she meticulously cared for her conspirator's child for 18 years.

　　It's truly tragic and pitiful.

　　Just then, Mr. Lloyd came home.

　　He stormed in, angrily questioning me, "Eliza only accidentally burned you. She apologized. Why can't you forgive her and stop ignoring her along with your mother?"

　　It seemed Eliza had exaggerated and twisted the story.

　　I didn't say anything.

　　But Mrs. Lloyd, who had been holding back her anger, finally erupted, "Why should I? I treated Ruby's daughter so well, and she treated my daughter like this. I can't accept it!"

　　Anyone would feel the same way.

　　Mr. Lloyd then noticed the countless scars on my body.

　　I didn't see an ounce of pity on his face.

　　After a moment of silence, he still defended Eliza, "Ruby is Ruby, and Eliza is Eliza. You can't take it out on her. Besides, she's the child we've raised carefully for years. Now that Mia is back, does that mean you don't love Eliza anymore?"

　　I lowered my head, a mocking smile playing on my lips. He had indeed spoiled Eliza to the core.

　　If Mia could hear this, how heartbroken would she be?

　　His words left Mrs. Lloyd in a daze. After all, eighteen years of affection isn't something that just disappears.

　　I wasn't in a hurry. This was only the first day. Expecting Mrs. Lloyd to stop loving Eliza immediately was unrealistic.

　　Standing between Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, I spoke sensibly, "I know Eliza didn't mean it. Mom was just too worried about me and overlooked her for a moment. Dad, don't be mad. I'll go apologize to Eliza right now."

　　Saying this, I turned to leave.

　　My sensible demeanor only made Mrs. Lloyd's heart ache even more.

　　When Eliza saw me coming, she first shed a few pitiful tears. But when she realized Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd hadn't followed, her true colors emerged.

　　She arrogantly declared, "Mom and Dad love me the most. As long as I cry, they feel sorry for me. Even if I burned you on purpose, so what? Don't think you can take away my affection."

　　What a shame, I thought, I never wanted their affection. What I want is your life.

　　I smiled and said, "You've lived with Mom and Dad for 18 years, naturally, your bond is deeper. I would never dream of stealing their love."

　　Eliza looked pleased and reluctantly accepted, "Good, you know your place."

　　I looked around with a fawning expression, "Eliza, may I admire your room? I've never seen such a big and beautiful room before."

　　Given her personality, she would usually refuse, but the sound of approaching footsteps made her change to a saccharine tone, "Of course, you're the real daughter of the Lloyd family. If you want to stay here, I'd gladly give it to you."

　　Only Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd could make her act this way.

　　They were clearly worried about a confrontation and had followed us.

　　My hearing is much sharper than Eliza's. I heard the footsteps seconds before she did, so I knew what to say.

　　I was certain she wouldn't refuse.

　　I had my reasons for doing this.

　　I touched everything, praising the beautiful clothes and the comfortable bed linens. Eliza's face grew more and more sour, but with Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd at the door, she had to force a smile.

　　Her focus was entirely on them, unaware that I had secretly smeared something on her bed.

　　Once they left, she glared at me fiercely, "Stop touching my things with your dirty hands."

　　I looked up in confusion, and at her shout of "Get out!" I left quickly, pretending to be scared.