Chapter 3
The Narrator said, [Quinlyn’s the villain in this story. Switched at birth, she came back to the Guzman family at seventeen. Jealous of Yalena, she kept causing trouble. In the end, the Guzman family rejected her, and she died of cancer.]
The cold, robotic voice said words that sent shivers down Quinlyn’s spine. She ducked her head, hiding from everyone.
She thought bitterly, ‘So, I’m that hated villain from TV shows. No wonder I heard things like “She’s finally dead; the Guzman family can live in peace” before I died.’
She muttered a rare curse to herself to feel better. And she realized. She was the villain and would die in the end. She couldn’t see any point in her second chance.
The Narrator didn’t respond to her thoughts, just kept going, [Yalena watched Quinlyn secretly, her eyes cautious. Before Quinlyn showed up, Yalena had been talking to Beatrice. She hated this stinky, foul-mouthed lady. Fortunately, Evelyn comforted her, saying she’d never see Beatrice again.]
Quinlyn paused. She suddenly remembered how the story had changed. She was trying to prove something.
As Yalena and Evelyn hugged and cried, Quinlyn pulled herself together, took out some cash, and walked over to the bed. “Mom, here’s money for the hospital. I spent 100 dollars, so there’s 3,400 dollars left.”
“You br… No need to say that.” Beatrice tried to curse, started to yell, but then saw the people behind her and quickly changed her tone.
But the Guzmans had seen the whole thing. They saw right through Beatrice’s act and thought that their precious daughter couldn’t live with such a rough, poor family.
Before Quinlyn arrived, they’d talked a lot, mostly about Yalena’s future. Now it was almost over.
Evelyn took Quinlyn’s hand, saying, “Sweetheart, you’ve been through so much. Come home with us.” Graham Guzman stood firm, keeping Yalena close.
The Narrator said, [The Guzman parents would never let their precious Yalena live near such a crude woman like Beatrice.]
When Quinlyn heard the voice, she stepped back, avoiding Evelyn. This made everyone in the room stare at her in shock.
“If we all leave, no one will stay with Mom,” Quinlyn muttered, looking down.
Yalena got flustered right away, tears forming. “Mom…”
Evelyn frowned instantly, thinking, ‘What’s she thinking? Can’t she stand Yalena at all?!’
Quinlyn seemed to ignore the others and said to Beatrice, “Mom, if you’re here, I can’t stay with you. You can’t see Yalena. You must miss her after all these years. And you’re sick now with no one to care for you.”
Quinlyn made up her mind and declared, “Come with us.” Secretly, she thought to herself, ‘What a grateful daughter am I! Everyone knows how rich the Guzman family is. So does Beatrice. Otherwise, she wouldn’t hurt me like that.’
Hearing Quinlyn’s words, Beatrice raised her head to see her precious daughter in Graham’s arms.
Quinlyn turned to Yalena. “Yalena, I know you’re crying because you miss your real mom. But you’re scared to bring it up, worried Mom and Dad might mind. I say it for you. Then you won’t be troubled. We’re all family, right?”
Yalena wasn’t that sharp now. She couldn’t think of a good answer fast. But she knew she shouldn’t stay. So she just nodded blankly.
Just then, the Narrator said, [Modification: The Chappell family followed the Guzmans to the fancy area. With them living
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Chapter 3
there, who knows what’ll happen.]
Quinlyn felt the Narrator was excited about what was next. She was excited, too, because the Narrator finally spoke, [Fate Change Progress: 5%]
Quinlyn’s guess was right.
On the way back, Yalena and the Guzman couple were in one car, joking around nonstop.
Quinlyn, Yarden, and Beatrice were in another car. Yarden knew Quinlyn wasn’t his real sister, but he didn’t expect her family to be this loaded. “Mom, check out this logo. It’s an Audi!”
Quinlyn sat in the front passenger seat, catching a rare snooze. She felt sleepy, not like she was fading away, just tired like any young person would be.
Hearing Yarden’s words, she glanced at the car ahead, comparing the two. For them, struggling like they were, this car felt like a downgrade.
“Quinlyn Chappell!” Yarden yelled from the back, rarely using her full name.
Quinlyn snorted softly.
Yarden said firmly and righteously, “Mom worked her butt off to raise you. She’s been your rock all these years.
“Soon you’ll be a rich heiress; don’t forget her. Think how hard her life’s been with her leg problems. Ask your rich dad for a car for me… for Mom!”
Quinlyn nodded. “Sure, I’ll ask Yalena later, and she can ask my dad. After all, they’re tighter.”
Beatrice sat there, fidgeting. Hearing Quinlyn’s words, she sat up straight. “You little… ahem, Quinlyn, that’s nonsense. That’s for your family. Why would we want something from you?” Then she pinched Yarden’s leg.
Yarden cried out in pain, “Ouch, Mom, why’d you pinch me?!”
Quinlyn played with her fingers and smiled a bit, “Mom’s probably scared the Guzmans will ask her for Yalena’s child support all these years.”
Besides that, Beatrice was scared Yalena might leave the comfy setup at the Guzmans. Quinlyn rested her head back and closed her eyes a bit.
Memories of going back to the Guzman family popped up. Quinlyn had never felt loved and finally had parents who accepted her. Even though she sensed they didn’t approve, she thought they would take care of her and wouldn’t hit her.
But it was all just a dream.
She worked her butt off to learn upper-class ways. She tried to make the Guzmans happy, noting what they liked, hoping for some family warmth. Yet, as their birth daughter, she couldn’t even go into her own home.
The car glided into the fancy villa area of Southelle and stopped at a three-story mansion.
The doors of the first car opened. The Guzman couple each took Yalena’s hand and walked in, smiling. At the doorway, they seemed to remember something and stopped awkwardly.
Evelyn looked at Yalena, who was downcast, and said to Graham, “Graham, you go get that kid. Yalena is fragile and hasn’t known hardship. I’m scared she’ll get sick if she gets too upset.”
Graham replied, “Okay, call the other kids home and tell them we found their sister.”
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Evelyn nodded carelessly. Yalena’s crying was getting to her, and her small joy at getting her daughter back was fading.
Quinlyn’s car stopped. The driver got out first. When it was just the three of them left, Beatrice grabbed Quinlyn’s arm with all her might. Beatrice did hard labor; she was strong.
