chapter1112

Lucinda's eyes widened in shock. She never thought Kylie would be the one to say it, the one to tell her to leave the Norwood family.

"Mom, please, don't do this. Don't send me away. I'm your little girl, your precious daughter. You and Dad always said you'd forgive me no matter what happened. I just... I was worried about my sister's safety. I sent someone to check on her, I never meant for anything bad to happen to her."

Kylie watched Lucinda cry and twist the story, and her disappointment only grew. She shook her head, her voice quiet but firm. There's so much evidence against you, and you still can't be honest with us. How much more do you think we can take before we completely lose faith in you?"

Right then, Lucinda was filled with nothing but anger. She hated every single one of them, and she especially hated Grace. If the person Grace hired hadn't been discovered by Lydia, none of this would've happened. Grace was always insisting she was helping, but everything she did seemed to make things worse.

Lucinda's resentment toward Grace only grew stronger. Desperate, she wiped her tears and blurted out, Fine, I'll tell you. It was Grace. She started all of this. She hated Lydia for getting her kicked out of the Norwood family, so she wanted to get back at her. Grace reached out to me first. Dad, Mom, she tried to turn us against each other. Everything that happened was because of her. I know I messed up, I really do... If you don't believe me, just have the police talk to her. She's the one behind it all!"

Just as she finished, an officer appeared at the doorway with Grace's statement. He gave the room a look, signaling Cameron and Kylie to step outside.

"This is Grace's statement. You should read it."

Lucinda had tried to pin everything on Grace, but what she didn't count on was that Grace had already confessed and taken full responsibility. Their stories matched up.

Cameron and Kylie moved to the other interrogation room where Grace was waiting. She sat there, her hair a little messy, and as they entered, she lifted her head. There was a flash of bitterness in her eyes. Kylie and Cameron always claimed to love Lucinda like their own, always saying she was family. Now look at them, dragging Lucinda into a police station just for Lydia's sake. Was this what their love looked like?

Grace, you made mistakes before, and that's why we asked you to leave the Norwood family. Why are you doing this now?" Cameron's voice was low, strained with anger.

Grace looked down at her lap, silent for a moment, then finally spoke, her words coming out slow and sharp "It's true. I did it. After was let go, couldn your

get over it worked for yo

family for so many years. Then Lydia comes back, and suddenly I'm out. I

couldn't accept it. I hated her."

She took a breath, her face softening just a touch. Lucinda is just too naive. I nudged her a little and she went along with it. She wasn't really part of the plan, it was all me. I'm sorry for what happened to Lucinda, but I was so blinded by anger that I couldn't see straight. Now that you know the truth, I'll take whatever punishment comes my way. Just... don't blame Lucinda. She's innocent."

When Cameron and Kylie left the room, their hearts felt painfully heavy. They returned to Lucinda, who immediately rushed over and grabbed Kylie's hand, crying like her world was ending.

"Mom, see? I told you, it was all Grace. I know I messed up. Please don't send me away. I promise I'll behave, I'll never do anything like thisagain."

Kylie looked down at Lucinda, her mind echoing the last thing Grace had said. "I watched Lucinda grow up. She's always been like a daughter to me. For her, I'd do anything. But what about you? You keep saying she's like your own daughter, but is that really how you treat her?"