chapter475

Cameron stared in shock. "Wait... Lydia and Mikey? They actually competed together ten years ago?"

Kylie gazed at the photo in her hands, her eyes brimming with tears. Lydia looked so tiny, so sweet and delicate. So she already met her brothers all those years ago..." Her voice trembled.

She was only eight back then, standing onstage with her brothers and nabbing first place. Kylie's heart swelled with pride and sorrow at the same time. Her precious daughter had always been amazing... maybe a little too amazing for her own good.

Cameron felt the same tangled emotions twisting inside him. If they'd realized back then that Lydia was their daughter, would she have had to go through so much? Maybe her life would have been easier.

Just then, Blake came home. He spotted his parents huddled over the photo, then came over to join them.

"Dad, Mom."

Kylie blinked, fighting back the sting in her eyes. Her voice was thick with emotion. "Blake, this photo means the world to me. I want to take it home."

Blake had known they'd want it. That's why he'd made extra copies just in case.

"Sure," he said with a nod.

"Dad, Mom, Blake, you're back!"

Upstairs, Lucinda had heard the car pull in. She checked the window, spotted them, and felt a rush of excitement. Without thinking, she hurried downstairs, ready to share what she'd learned from her piano practice.

But the moment she reached the living room, she saw the three of them clustered around that stupid photo. They were caught up in the past, regretting not

recognizing Lydia as their daughter sooner.

Honestly, it sting. Earlier that afternoon, when she saw Blake put that photo on display, jealousy had burned through her. Out of all her brothers, Blake and Arthur were the hardest to get close to. They never liked taking pictures, always keeping others at arm's length. She could count on one hand the number of times she managed to get a photo with either of them. Yet here was Blake, proudly showing off a picture with Lydia, right in the living room. How could she not feel jealous?

The three of them turned at the sound of her voice.

"Lucinda, done with your practice?" Kylie asked.

Lucinda forced herself to smile. Yeah. She walked over, but the sight of that photo

in Kylie's hands felt like a slap. "I can't believe my sister actually met Blake and Arthur ten years ago."

She kept her tone light, her face innocent. Inside though, she was fuming. If only Lydia had shown up ten years later, or even just after she'd married Connor... things could have been so so different But no, Lydia just had to show up early, before she'd gotten close to Commor, and take everything away.

Kylie sighed. "know. But back then, none of them knew they were

family She couldn't help but

wonder what wouldve happened if

her sons had recognized their sister, or if she herself had stumbled

across that photo years ago...

"If Blake and Arthur had realized who their sister really was back then..." Lucinda let her words hang in the air.

Blake suddenly cut in. "Lucinda, does that mean you don't think of yourself as our sister anymore?"

His question caught her completely off guard. She hesitated, then stammered, "No... of course I do. You guys are my real brothers. I just worry sometimes you might not want me anymore."

Blake met her eyes, his expression serious. You're still family. We have you here because you belong here. You're our sister, Lucinda. You don't have to compare yourself to anyone else. Okay?"