chapter376

Lucinda heard Kylie's words from inside the house and nearly lost it. The second Lydia walked in, it was like she, Lucinda, didn't even exist anymore.

Trying to keep her jealousy and anger in check, Lucinda watched as Cameron and Kylie welcomed Lydia, one on each side, practically ushering her into the center of everything. She forced a sweet smile, though her words came out sharp. "You're finally home, Lydiw. Mom and Dad missed you so much while you were gone. Even though I was here the whole time, they just kept thinking about you. Maybe you should spend more time with them from now on."

For a moment, the room felt heavy and awkward.

Kylie glanced at Lucinda, her eyes apologetic. Lucinda, your dad and I love having you here. We really do. We just worry about your sister when she's out on her own."

Lucinda nodded, trying to look like the perfect daughter. "I know, Mom. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted Lydia to know how much you worry about her."

But everyone could hear what she was really saying. Lydia was always making their parents anxious. It wasn't fair.

Lydia's voice was calm, almost cold, as she looked at Lucinda. "Don't Mom and Dad worry about you when you're out?"

Tina jumped in before Lucinda could answer. "Exactly, Miss Lucinda. Whenever you travel, your parents worry so much. And when you're gone a long time, they always plan surprises for you. I heard Miss Lydia went out this time to look for medicinal herbs. It's not just Mr. And Mrs. Norwood. Everyone in the house was thinking about her."

Tina's words seemed to lift a weight off Cameron and Kylie. Any tiny bit of guilt they'd felt toward Lucinda faded away.

They really had spoiled Lucinda all these years. Now they were finally showing their real daughter a little attention, having the kitchen whip up her favorite dishes. Compared to everything they'd given Lucinda, this was nothing.

Lucinda shot Tina a look that could have burned a hole straight through her. She was so angry she could barely keep from screaming.

That stupid maid. Who did she think she was to talk back like that? Did she want to get fired?

Tina knew Lucinda and Grace had been giving her a hard time lately, but some things just needed to be said. Lydia was the true daughter o this family. She'd suffered for eighteen years before finallycoming home. Didn't she deserve a little love from her parents?

Lucinda was so selfish. She refused to go back to her birth family, clung to the Norwoods, acted like everything here belonged to her, and now she wouldn't even

let the real daughter get any affection? Did she really still think she was a Norwood?

Cameron let out a laugh. "Lucinda,

your sister was out on important business. Of course we were worried about her safety." Then he turned to Lydia. "Lydia, next time you go out, take some of the staff and a you, just like

few bodyguards with we won't

Lucinda does. That way we won to have to worry."

Lucinda felt her eyes start to sting. Why did Lydia get to have

everything? Why did her dad want to give Lydia the same special treatment? Lydia grew up in the countryside. Did she really need mards and bodyguards? Was her dad being a little too much, always putting Lydia first?

Lydia just smiled, soft and steady. "I'm not that delicate. I don't need maids or bodyguards."

That hit Cameron and Kylie right in the heart. Their own daughter had learned to be strong and independent since she was a child. She was not like Lucinda, who never went anywhere without a whole group fussing over her.

Mr. Norwood's eyes softened, guilt washing over him. "Lydia, I always thought you were the rebellious one. That was wrong of me. You're thoughtful and considerate, always putting family first."