The Contracted Ever After novel Chapter 530

The storm outside seemed to be brewing, with the snow falling more heavily by the minute, but inside the room was a haven of warmth and tranquility. The old man cast a few glances at Cordelia before he began his tale in earnest.

Back in the swinging sixties, there was a prominent family, the head of which was a financier, with vast estates to his name—a true pillar of the local community. But as times changed, he moved overseas, got married, and had children. Despite being well-educated, he held on to his old-fashioned beliefs. He married a lady who was his equal in social standing, a woman of grace and poise, the very picture of an affluent society wife, a role model for aspiring debutantes.

Their marriage was a loving one, but after a year, tragedy struck. When the lady of the house gave birth, she suffered a fatal complication and passed away, leaving behind her newborn.

The world knew that she had given birth to a daughter, but only the family knew the truth—they were twins. This secret was closely guarded by all.

"Twins?" Cordelia couldn't hide her surprise, perhaps because she herself had once carried twins. Her curiosity was piqued.

The old man seemed not to notice Cordelia's interjection as he continued.

The reason the public believed there was only one child was that the second-born twin, the younger daughter, had been stricken with polio at birth. After a series of treatments, her legs were left immobile, and she was confined to the attic. Her father, a man very much concerned with appearances, chose not to reveal the existence of the second twin. As time passed, the healthy daughter grew into a blossoming beauty, much sought after by the young men of the area. She caught the eye of a major film studio.

"A film studio?" With a hint of astonishment, Cordelia interjected again—Alana worked for a film studio. Could this be some sort of coincidence?

Unperturbed by Cordelia's reaction, the old man plowed on.

Gradually, the memory of her sister lying in the attic faded from the healthy daughter’s mind, for it was only the old housekeeper who attended to the invalid twin. The healthy daughter had always believed herself to be an only child, doted upon by her father, who never spoke of the forgotten child. We often lavish our affection on the favored child and grow distant from the one we care for less until, eventually, it's as if they never existed at all.

Cordelia sighed, feeling a pang of sorrow for the daughter confined to the attic. "Is this the plot of a novel?" she couldn't help but ask.

The old man didn't look at her but continued his story.

On the day the healthy daughter finished her exams. It coincided with her eighteenth birthday, so her father arranged a lavish party. Friends and family congregated, filling the house with joy and celebration. The healthy daughter was radiant, like a blooming flower. For a moment, the existence of the other twin was completely forgotten—or ignored, as the unfortunate sibling could not be presented to the guests. When the housekeeper went to the attic to deliver a meal, the younger daughter asked, "What's happening downstairs? Why is it so lively?" The housekeeper replied, "Today is your sister's birthday," and then she hurried back to the festivities.

Once alone, the forgotten twin's tears began to fall. She clenched her fists tightly, her tears tracing paths down her cheeks. It was her birthday too, but she was now a stranger in her own home, where the only 'Miss' was her sister.

She remembered, yet she could not rise. For eighteen years, her only companions had been books—biographies of great figures, mystery novels, and many tales of revenge…