Death of the Substitute Wife

Sophia was a kind person.

However, I was the daughter of an enemy who almost got her and her daughter killed. She could only do her best not to shift her anger towards me.

On top of that, her daughter, Cindy, had been in poor health since she was born, requiring her to put in even more effort to look after Cindy.

Sophia was naturally too occupied to pay attention to me.

Back then, there was a big fuss over this. Nearly everyone in our social circle knew where I came from. Naturally, the Lamberts' maids were no exception.

They could see that my parents didn't treat me well. Although they wouldn't do anything obvious to a kid like me, they gossiped about me behind my back. Once I was old enough to understand, some of them began to bring up my sinful origin.

"She's a sinner's daughter!"

"A nasty child."

"Her mother was evil. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

I could hardly count how many times I had heard such things. I didn't understand why I had to be blamed for my mother's wrongdoings.

"Cindy, stop worrying about Rachel. She's probably happy about being married to Caleb," Mark said, his voice instantly pulling me back to reality.

"Mark!" Sophia said sternly. "Even if you haven't realized your mistake, you shouldn't say something like that as a joke."

Mark seemed a little sorry, but he quickly stuck his chest out again. "I didn't say anything wrong! If I hadn't lost the bet with Caleb, Rachel wouldn't have married into the Carpenters with her status."

"Stop talking back!" Sophia placed her hands over her chest. "I've spoiled you too much over the years. You had the audacity to place a bet over your sister's marriage! Have you thought about what Cindy would have to do if Rachel refused?"

"Mom, don't get mad. Mark was only kidding," Cindy said.

With that, she quickly rushed to hold Sophia.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have brought this up," Cindy added softly.

Cindy had always been good at this. As long as she showed a hint of unhappiness, everyone around her would drop what they were doing to console her.

As expected, after hearing what Cindy said, Sophia stopped being angry and quickly rushed to console Cindy.

Steven placed one hand on Cindy's shoulder, then glared at his misbehaving son. Mark, worried Sophia might actually get angry and wary that Cindy might take the blame, quickly admitted his mistake.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have said those things. It has nothing to do with Cindy. I was wrong. I won't do it again."

Although Mark said this, he still muttered something after turning around.

"I only made the bet because I knew Rachel was around. How could I possibly place a bet over Cindy's marriage?"

My hearing had always been good. Obviously, I heard what he said very clearly.

Although I had long known the origin of the marriage arrangement between the Carpenters and the Lamberts, I couldn't suppress the anger in my heart after hearing Mark's unremorseful words.

'Mark Lambert!'

Mark was born when Cindy was four.

Before he was born, I craved familial affection, but never received any. Steven loathed me.

When Sophia was pregnant again, she treated me kindly for once. It could have been due to progesterone interference.

Cindy, having observed this, would also initiate contact with me.

However, it seemed we couldn't get along naturally.

Whenever she was with me, she would somehow bump into something or fall flat on her face.

Cindy was physically weak, so the slightest bump would result in the most obvious bruises.

Sophia frequently cried whenever she saw Cindy getting bruised.

However, there was no proof that Cindy was injured because of me. Hence, Sophia could only tell Cindy to be more careful while she went about her day.