"Grandfather, don't you blame me at all? If it weren't for me, things wouldn't have turned out like this," Alex said, though her heart knew the truth was far more complex. To everyone else, she was the culprit who had usurped Tian Tian's place and caused her exile.
"Alex, you mustn't blame yourself. What happened back then was not your fault," Keller's grandfather said kindly.
"Thank you, Grandfather, for your love and understanding," Alex replied, genuinely moved. Whether in her past life or this one, it was only Keller's grandfather who viewed the matter objectively.
"My dear child, what's the need for thanks? Though you're not my blood granddaughter, you're as dear to me as if you were. Unless you reject me as your grandfather," he said with a smile.
"Grandfather, you'll always be my grandfather. Even if you disowned me, I would never disown you," Alex assured him.
Seeing Alex's pale and frail appearance, Keller's grandfather sighed, his heart heavy with concern. "Alex, you must pull yourself together. The Andra family needs you, and Andra Enterprises needs you too."
"I promise, Grandfather, I'll do my best. But..." Alex's expression clouded over. "The Andra family has Tian Tian now. They don't need me anymore..."
"What nonsense are you talking? You're always a part of the Andra family, my granddaughter. Neither the family nor the company can do without you," Keller's grandfather said sternly.
"Grandfather..."
"Promise me, take this time to heal your heart. I'll come for you soon, and I'll make sure everything at home and at the company is taken care of. As long as I'm alive, no one will ever mistreat you," he said solemnly.
"Thank you, Grandfather," Alex said quietly after a moment of silence.
"My dear child, you're my granddaughter. There's no need for thanks," Keller's grandfather replied helplessly.
After chatting for a while longer, Keller's grandfather left, and Alex, feeling drowsy, lay down to rest.
Days passed, and while in her previous life, Alex's hospital room had been filled with flowers and gifts from visitors during her illness, now, only Sheng Xiangdong and Yu Qianqian visited regularly, aside from the daily check-ins from hospital staff. It seemed that news of her and Tian Tian's true identities had spread, and people were avoiding her.
Half a month later, the Andra family finally sent someone to bring her home.
By then, Alex had fully recovered.
The butler, who had watched Alex grow up, came to fetch her. Though he had grown distant due to her true identity, he was not as cynical as others.
The car pulled up to the grand entrance of the Andra mansion, and the butler opened the door for her.
As she stepped out, she saw Tian Tian arm in arm with Alex's mother emerging from the house. Whatever Tian Tian said had Alex's mother beaming with joy.
Upon seeing Alex, the smile on Alex's mother's face vanished, replaced by an indifferent expression. Tian Tian, however, brightened even more, releasing Alex's mother's arm and rushing happily towards Alex, warmly addressing her as 'elder sister'.
Given that Alex and Tian Tian were born on the same day, their age difference was negligible, yet Tian Tian deliberately referred to her as 'elder sister', a tactful move to ingratiate herself. It was a deep-seated ploy to maintain her favorable image wherever she went.
Suppressing her disgust and impatience, Alex returned a strained smile, saying nothing.
"Elder sister, you're finally back. I wanted to visit you in the hospital, but I thought you wouldn't want to see me after what happened. I hope you don't blame me," Tian Tian said, her voice trailing off into a cautious, ingratiating tone. Yet, Alex detected a hint of triumph and pride in her words. The genuine heiress was revered like a phoenix risen from the ashes, while the fake one was despised.
The disparity was vast, but Alex shrugged it off. If Tian Tian wanted to play this game, she would oblige.
With a wan smile, Alex feigned acceptance of her fate, "Younger sister, what are you talking about? I'm grateful you don't blame me for taking your place. How could I blame you?"
"Elder sister, what you say is unfair. This isn't your fault. We're both victims. And though we didn't share the same womb, we're sisters. Sisters should understand and support each other," Tian Tian said sincerely, though her heart was heavy with resentment.
Growing up in the lowest rungs of society, Tian Tian had learned to read people's faces. She knew Keller's grandfather genuinely cared for Alex and had no intention of banishing her. Pushing for her expulsion would only damage her relationship with her own grandfather and reflect poorly on her. Similarly, she had tested Alex's mother, who, despite her indifference, couldn't bring herself to expel Alex.
So, Tian Tian bided her time, plotting to reclaim what was rightfully hers, piece by piece.
Observing Tian Tian's sincere facade, Alex silently admired her acting skills. If she were an actress, she'd surely win every award.
"Thank you for understanding, younger sister," Alex replied insincerely.
"Elder sister, please don't be formal with me. We're sisters, aren't we?" Tian Tian said, linking arms with Alex, making her skin crawl.
This woman was truly something else.
After a protracted exchange, Alex's mother finally spoke.
"Now that you're back, I hope you'll get along with Tian Tian. She's suffered enough being separated from us. And she lacks experience in managing the company. As her elder sister, you must teach her," Alex's mother said.
"Mom, I understand," Alex replied, her heart heavy with disappointment.
Though Alex had usurped Tian Tian's identity and enjoyed privileges that were rightfully hers, she had also shouldered Tian Tian's burden as the heir. To live up to her family's expectations, she had worked harder than anyone, even sacrificing her dreams. And as a baby, she had no say in her fate. Yet, Alex's mother's words made it seem as if Alex owed Tian Tian, as if she were a usurper, and subtly reminded her that she was no longer the heir.
It seemed her efforts had fallen short. But even in her previous life, when she hadn't made these sacrifices, Alex's mother hadn't spoken like this. Clearly, Tian Tian was behind this.