Chapter 10
Dad took the paternity test results with trembling hands.
Initially, I had felt sorry for Mallory when I saw how her stepfather abused her, which is why I asked my parents to adopt her.
At first, my parents didn’t show such favoritism.
But later, when Mallory donated blood, Mom noticed her rare blood type matched that of her first love.
Suspicious, Mom secretly arranged a paternity test.
The results confirmed that Mallory was indeed the child she had conceived before marrying my father.
Fearing it would ruin her marriage prospects, her mother had abandoned the baby at an orphanage shortly after birth.
Over the years, Mom had tried several times to find her, but was always told the child had died shortly after arriving at the orphanage.
She never expected that her daughter was still alive.
And that by some twist of fate, this child had returned to her.
Mom believed it was destiny.
Even if it meant harming me, she was determined to help Mallory marry into wealth.
Even if it meant taking everything from me to compensate the daughter who had suffered.
Now, learning that Mallory was in trouble, she was willing to sacrifice herself to take the blame.
Dad’s body tensed as he read the teat results.
Mom and Mallory panicked immediately.
“What is that? It must be Riley trying to frame us!”
Before Mom could finish, Dad slapped her across the face.
He spoke through clenched teeth, “You made me raise a child who isn’t even mine for all these years? And you tormented my biological daughter mercilessly?! HOW DARE YOU!”
My mother was left in a miserable state after being struck, collapsing to the floor unable to get up.
My father’s mind was made up, and he immediately demanded a divorce.
As for Mallory?
No matter how much she cried and screamed, it was useless. The police took her to the station.
Two weeks later, the verdict came in: Mallory was sentenced to 20 years in prison for premeditated murder.
04:22
Attempting to Steal My World? Easy! My Rebirth Comes with a Playbook
6.6%
Chapter 10
Her dreams of marrying into wealth were completely shattered.
When I visited her, she still looked at me with hatred, blaming me for all her misfortunes.
“Riley, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have ended up like this. You stole my life!”
That’s when I realized that the fable of the farmer and the snake could actually play out in real life.
I don’t regret saving Mallory from her former family.
But I do regret not maintaining proper boundaries, which allowed her to believe she could take advantage of my kindness.
You can spend the rest of your life living your own story–in prison,” I said before turning to leave.
With the drama finally over and misunderstandings cleared up, the Valentine family chose another auspicious date and held 1 grand wedding ceremony.
This time, there were no disruptions.
My wedding with Rhys proceeded smoothly.
After the wedding, we honeymooned in the Norway and eventually settled in Finland.
My parents called many times, begging for forgiveness.
They admitted they were wrong.
Especially my Mom. She was struggling after the divorce. She tried to reconnect with her first love, but he wanted nothing to
lo with her.
Despite their persistent pleas for forgiveness, I ignored them completely, turning off my phone and changing my number.
Love is reciprocal.
Parents should love their children first, and then children will love them in return.
And one should never sacrifice their life for parents driven by shameful greed.
Perhaps someday I’ll let go of my resentment and send them money for their retirement and eventual funeral expenses.
But for now, I need to focus on myself.
