Layla embraced her mother and father warmly before handing them the gifts. "Lucius and I brought these from Switzerland," she said with a smile.
Miriam took the gift with gratitude, her eyes flickering toward the door. "That’s so thoughtful of you, sweetheart. But Lucius... he didn’t co with you?" she asked curiously.
Layla shook her head. "No, he had an important work commitnt, so he left right after dropping off," she explained.
Miriam sighed and then offered, "It’s quite cold outside. Would you like so coffee to warm up?"
"I would love that," Layla replied, settling onto the couch while her parents took their seats. Miriam had already instructed the maid to prepare a cup for her.
"We just had so tea a little while ago," Darius added, resting his hands on the armrest.
Layla nodded in understanding, but as her gaze drifted across the room, it landed on Orabela. For a mont, she didn’t blink, as if making sure she wasn’t imagining things. On the other hand, Orabela had the sa reaction. She didn’t anticipate Layla would be coming ho.
"When did she return?" Layla finally asked, her voice laced with surprise.
Darius and Miriam both turned their heads. "She returned last week. But she won’t be staying for long," Darius said.
Layla studied Orabela carefully. The glow of confidence that once surrounded her had faded. The pride in her posture was replaced with sothing softer. It was humility, an emotion Layla had never associated with her before.
Orabela stepped closer, stopping just in front of her. For a brief mont, neither of them spoke.
"How have you been?" Layla finally asked.
"I’ve been doing well," Orabela replied. Then, after a short pause, she added, "Can we talk in private after you’re done speaking with them?"
Layla didn’t hesitate. "Let’s do it now," she said, excusing herself from the living room. Without waiting for a response, she led the way, leaving her parents watching in their own contemplation.
In the garden, Layla and Orabela stood facing each other.
"You’ve beco much more beautiful," Orabela said with a small smile. "And, of course, more confident. I saw your speech when you beca the chairwoman. Dad shared it with and insisted I watch it."
Layla t her gaze, searching for any lingering resentnt in her tone. "I hope you aren’t jealous of anymore," she said.
Orabela exhaled softly, nodding. "Yeah. I’ve accepted it now. You were always ant to be in that position. I spent years living a false life, enjoying things that were never mine, all while tornting you. For that, I am truly sorry, Layla."
The sincerity in her voice took Layla by surprise. For the first ti, Orabela didn’t seem like the arrogant, selfish, and egotistical woman she had always known. There was no bitterness, only quiet remorse.
"And I’ve heard what my mother did," Orabela continued, her expression darkening with disappointnt. "I have no words for her wrongdoings. Honestly, I didn’t even know how to react to her sudden death. I heard a mafia killed her. Seems like she didn’t care for my final words to her. I don’t consider her my mother anymore, except for the fact that she gave birth to ."
Layla remained silent, allowing Orabela to speak. She had a feeling there was more.
"When everyone abandoned , I finally understood what your life had been like," Orabela admitted. "You were always alone, humiliated, even though you never did anything wrong. You suffered for over twenty three years, and I can see now how much it affected you emotionally. Yet, despite everything, you still have such a big heart. If I were in your place, I don’t think I could’ve tolerated a version of who constantly tried to make you feel small."
Layla listened quietly, realizing that Orabela was unloading years of regret.
"I set my eyes on the man you loved. I wanted to take your place in every part of life, not just out of jealousy but because I was deeply insecure about myself. Back then, it was more than just envy. Now, I hate myself. I projected every wrong thing onto you. You might think these are just empty words, but trust , my actions have co back to haunt . Roderick discarded without a second thought; to him, I was nothing more than a bed warr. My mother ignored my feelings and took drastic steps despite my pleas for her to just serve her sentence and repent. But she refused. When people questioned about my origins, I had nothing to tell them, but only lies."
Layla observed Orabela closely. The once prideful gleam in her eyes was gone, replaced by an empty, lifeless look. She didn’t want to feel sympathy for her, after all, she had always wished for Orabela to suffer the way she had.
But now, seeing her like this, Layla realized it was too much for Orabela to bear alone.
"I have let it go, Orabela," Layla said, her tone calm yet firm. "But I won’t deny. It feels good to know that you finally understand where you went wrong. Roderick was always trash, and I’m glad I got rid of him. It hurt in the beginning, but not anymore. In fact, I’ve found a family of my own."
Orabela listened to her in silence.
"You can return to Ro if that’s what you want," Layla continued. "But you don’t have to leave. Stay here. Work in Dad’s company. You still have a na of your own, Orabela. And even though I never admitted it before, you were good at your work."
Orabela’s lips parted slightly in surprise, but Layla wasn’t finished.
"Find a purpose of your own in life," she added. "Happiness can co from others, but it’s important to find it within yourself first, from the bottom of your own heart."
A hum escaped Orabela’s lips as she absorbed Layla’s words. Just as she was about to respond, she was caught completely off guard. Layla stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a warm embrace.
"Then, it’s decided, Orabela. Let’s stay as two sisters, not as enemies anymore," Layla stated.
"I would love to," Orabela said and hugged her tightly too. Tears filled her eyes and she shut them for a brief mont.
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