Neither the Elshers nor the Evans knew why Lariette and Stephanie were switched at birth twenty-six years ago.
At that time, Jonathan and Samantha went on a weekend getaway in the north of the country. The latter was heavily pregnant but, she insisted on going on the short trip.
Samantha's water broke on the second day, leading her to be admitted to the local hospital. Another young woman gave birth that day. She was Stephanie's biological mother.
No one realized the swap until sixteen years later.
An anonymous letter arrived at Jonathan's desk at Elsher Group. The same thing happened to Chairman Delaney. Both of the former's parents were already deceased.
The letter detailed the DNA comparison between Stephanie, Jonathan and Samantha. Its arrival caused an uproar within the main Elsher family.
Jonathan and Samantha were shocked but, they tried to hide the matter from reaching Stephanie's ears. They planned to slowly and quietly investigate this issue.
Unfortunately, Chairman Delaney's interference ruined Jonathan and Samantha's plan. He wanted them to do a thorough investigation without wasting time.
"Find the child no matter what! What if she's suffering somewhere? She's your child!"
Chairman Delaney loved all his grandchildren equally, even after learning Stephanie was not biologically related to him. What irritated him was Jonathan and Samantha's behavior.
In the beginning, Jonathan and Samantha wished to meet the child who was taken away from them. Their behavior gradually changed the longer the investigation went on.
So much so that they persuaded the elderly man to stop looking for the missing child.
"Father, we don't want to upset Phanie. She has been crying nonstop. She thinks we don't want her with us anymore."
Jonathan's lame excuse infuriated Chairman Delaney. The old man sternly told his son-in-law that the search wouldn't ever be called off.
Stephanie was already a teenager. Through the right ways, she would eventually know that her place in the Elsher family wouldn't be robbed of her.
Unfortunately, Jonathan and Samantha refused to attend family therapies with Stephanie. They simply coddled her until the day they received the discovery news about the missing child.
Lariette appeared, the real daughter of the Elsher family yet, she was treated like an outsider.
Chairman Delaney tried to get Jonathan and Samantha on board in welcoming Lariette better but, the husband and wife were more preoccupied with appeasing the sad Stephanie.
At the same time, the three Elsher brothers also refused to try to get to know Lariette better.
They didn't care about hurting their newly found biological sister in favor of their cherished adopted sister.
"Lari, why don't you come and live with Grandpa?"
Realizing how stubborn his daughter and son-in-law were, Chairman Delaney often coaxed Lariette to move in with him. But...
"It's fine, Grandpa. I know it'll be hard to connect with them. After all... I grew up without them for over ten years. I'll work harder."
Lariette didn't want to give up easily. She understood why a huge wall existed between her and her family.
All these years, her parents and brothers poured their love into Stephanie as the only princess in their family. They were one happy family while she was practically a stranger.
Nevertheless, Lariette kept on trying despite countless rejections that set her back. She held on to the hope that she would be fully accepted by her parents and brothers.
Unfortunately, everything was her wishful thinking. Thus, it was time to end her dream.
"What are you doing here, Stephanie?"
Lariette's usually calm voice had a slight edge as she threw the question to Stephanie. She didn't expect to bump into the latter in the apartment complex's lobby.
"How did you get in here?" Madeline stepped forward, her eyes throwing daggers at Stephanie, "Oh. Is one of your minions live here?"
The residential complex Madeline lived in had strict access for both residents and guests. Seeing Stephanie here meant she came as someone's guest. But, there was no one around her.
"Lari, I want to see you," said Stephanie as she looked at Lariette, ignoring Madeline completely, "Why haven't you returned any of Mom's calls? She's worried about you."
Lariette replied nothing to Stephanie. She quietly took in the pitiful look worn by the latter.
Stephanie was renowned for her beauty in high society. Her honey blond hair complimented her light blue eyes and fair skin well. Her popularity on social media was also high.
But, Lariette knew that Stephanie envied her more.
Lariette inherited luxurious chocolate brown hair and a pair of deep-set vivid sapphire eyes from Samantha. Her delicate facial features also resembled her mother.
People could immediately tell they were mother and daughter, something that garnered Stephanie's envy despite being the apple of Samantha's eye.
"I have nothing to talk about with you," Lariette responded lazily. She glanced at her dainty wristwatch before giving Stephanie a disinterested look, "Don't waste your saliva."
Stephanie bit her red-painted lip, looking as if Lariette's indifference hurt her feelings. Clenching her hands together, she took a few steps toward the latter.
"Lari, I know you're mad because we didn't visit you in the hospital but, you know that everyone's busy with my wedding, right? Mom doesn't even have much time to sleep."
Lariette snickered at the fake concern in Stephanie's gentle voice. The latter sounded as if she was genuinely worried about the former but, the truth was far from it.
"Save your fake tears to yourself," Lariette was unbothered by Stephanie's crocodile tears. She quickly added, "Why are you here? I don't think just to whine at me. You have other motive, don't you?"
Stephanie froze, never expecting Lariette to expose her like this.
Since when did this neglected country bumpkin dare to talk to her like this?
Did the accident ruin her brain?
Holding back from showing any hint of anger, Stephanie said, "Lari, I know you're upset with Damien but... can't you give him a chance? It's purely a mistake. That woman seduced him."
Lariette almost burst out laughing. Just because the mistress was nobody, Stephanie shifted all the blame to her.
"You want me to give him a chance?" asked Lariette, amused by the idea crossing her mind.
"Won't you?" Stephanie's eyes sparkled, "I feel bad for you both. You're my sister, Lari but, Damien is my friend. I know he loves you so much. Sleeping once with another woman doesn't mean he cheated on you."
Madeline had been quiet for a long time. She looked from Lariette to Stephanie, wondering how her friend would deal with this fake bitch.
Tilting her chin, Lariette uttered, "Well, I think I can forgive him. Under one condition."
"...what is it?"
Flashing her brightest smile, Lariette stared pointedly at Stephanie.
"Let your beloved Matthias bed one of his admirers. After all, sleeping once with another woman doesn't mean he cheats on you, right?"
Frozen, colors drained from Stephanie's face. Lariette's vivid sapphire eyes glinted mockingly at her.