chapter218

"Why?"

"I hate her! Grace, why did Mom and Dad have to bring her back? I seriously can't stand her. I don't want her in this house at all!"

Grace gave Lucinda a look full of sympathy.

"Lucinda, you're the real daughter of this family. Lydia can never measure up to you. Lately, your parents are just fussing over her because she knows some medicine. They've definitely been ignoring you."

"Ignoring me? It's more than that. It's like they only care about Lydia now. Am I even their daughter anymore?

"And Connor, and Grandpa Samuel... they all like Lydia now, not me!" Lucinda's voice was shaky, her eyes red with frustration.

She'd asked for a single flower today, and Grandpa Samuel wouldn't give her one. Instead, he handed Lydia an entire bouquet. When had she ever been treated this badly?

"Just hang in there a little longer, Lucinda. The final exam results are out tomorrow, aren't they? How well could Lydia even do? She grew up in the countryside.

"When they see the scores, your parents will realize you're the best, not her," Grace said softly.

Lucinda huffed and lifted her chin. "Let's see what she gets. Bet she won't even make it into a community college. Mom and Dad will probably have to pull strings just to get her into Capital College.

Capital College and Oakwood College were the hardest schools to get into, and Lucinda was sure she could make it into both. Lydia, though... if she had to use connections to get in, everyone would just laugh at her.

"I heard no one liked her in the Smith family. She was always stuck in the countryside with that old Mrs. Smith. How good could her grades possibly be?" Grace scoffed.

Just thinking about beating Lydia in academics made Lucinda's anger fade away.

Grace noticed Lucinda cheering up and kept going. You just took part in the International Piano Competition last week, right? The results should be out soon with Richie as your mentor, you're definitely getting place.

"As for Lydia, she grew up in the country. She's probably never even seen a real piano. How could she compete with you?"

Lucinda felt even better.

"Exactly. When Mom, Dad, Connor, and Grandpa Samuel see that Lydia's just a nobody, they'll realize she's not good enough for Connor."

"Right, and then Grandpa can step in and change the engagement back to you. Lydia won't even be part of the picture."

Lucinda's mood soared. It was like everything Grace said had already come true.

"I can't wait for that day," she said, hugging a pillow, her face glowing with happiness as she imagined her perfect future.

Meanwhile, Connor dropped Lydia off at the hospital. When she told him her surgery might last six to eight hours, he felt a sharp pang of worry.

He wanted to stay with her, but Lydia immediately shut him down. "I'll be in the operating room. What are you going to do, wait outside? Don't you have work? If you're really so free, go home and spend time. with Grandpa Samuel."

After hearing that, Connor felt like the world's worst grandson. He listened and headed back without another word.

Lydia checked the time. It was almost five. The operating room should be ready by

now.

As soon as she stepped into the hospital, her phone rang. It was Dr. Hady.

"I'm almost there."

"Good, because Miss Sandy refuses to cooperate with any of the pre-op stuff she says she won't even change into a gown until she sees Miracle Hands."