Chapter 1053
“We know you’ve been hurt before because of the Jewell family. But I promise you, we would never let anything like that happen to you under our roof,” Lillian said, her tone steady with conviction.
“And as for Blythe, I’ll admit it: we did dote on her all these years. She wound up filling your place in our lives after you were gone. But it wasn’t because we loved you any less—if anything, it was because we loved you so much, and thought we’d lost you. All that affection we had for you, we just… transferred it to her p>
“Maybe we spoiled her too much. I can see now that it’s shaped her personality in ways we failed to notice. We always thought she was so well-behaved, so considerate, but really, she was just putting on a show for our sake p>
“We know better now. And we’ve spoken to her she understands the situation. From now on, everything we own, everything we are, will belong to you. All our assets, the entire estate-you’ll inherit all of it p>
“As for Blythe, we’ll make sure she’s taken care of, of course. We won’t leave her with nothing, but she won’t get much. The lion’s share is yours. After all, you’re the one we need to make things right with.” Lillian’s eyes never left Calliope as she spoke, her expression grave and unyielding.
They had confronted Blythe almost immediately after learning the truth-after discovering that Calliope was truly their daughter. They knew how much she’d suffered in the Jewell family’s hands, and were determined not to let her face hardship ever again. Now that she was home, she was their sole focus.
“Blythe agreed to this?” Calliope asked, taken aback. It was one thing for Lillian to be open about their feelings, but to declare the inheritance arrangements so plainly -she had never expected that.
“If she agrees, she stays part of our family. If not, then she is no longer a White at all,” Lillian replied with calm certainty. “She did bring us comfort for a time, but we gave a lot to her, too. Call it even. Frankly, if it weren’t for us, she wouldn’t have the life she enjoys today. If she can’t understand that, then she has no place here p>
“We do care about her, of course. But you—you are our blood. You are more important than anyone else. That will never change p>
“Callie, sweetheart, I want you to understand this: No one could ever take your place in our hearts. You matter more to us than anyone in this world,” Lillian finished softly.
Calliope could hardly believe what she was hearing. When she’d lived with the Jewell family, she was treated like an outcast unlucky Unwanted They showered their love and gifts on Lisette, and made it abundantly clear that Calliope was just a nuisance, not worth a thing.
So, to hear Mrs. White speak this way stirred emotions Calliope hadn’t felt in years: She’d always assumed, at best, the Whites would split any inheritance evenly-after all, hadn’t they cherished Blythe as their own? She’d never imagined they would choose her so unequivocally.
“Is this just a pretty promise to make me feel better?” she asked quietly, searching
Lillian’s face for any flicker of hesitation.
Lillian’s gaze was unwavering.
“Absolutely not. You are the treasure of our lives, Callie. It’s only right that everything we have goes to you would ay down my life for
you dont ever doubt that this some fleeting emotion p>
isnt
Mr. White gave a solemn, emphatic nod. “You’ve been through enough, Callie. But now you’re home, and from this day forward, you’re our little princess. No one will ever hurt you again p>
He added with pride, “I’m already making the arrangements. We’re going to introduce you to society with a gala the city will never forget. I want everyone to know you’re a White-my daughter and you will always come first p>