CHAPTER 21 — Navira's POV
"The Orphanage Card Strikes Again"
The hospital smells like antiseptic and regret.
I hate it.
But I love it.
Agnes is sitting in the corner of the emergency room, nose bandaged, arms crossed like she's done nothing wrong in her life.
The twins hover nervously near her, probably hoping she doesn't start crying again.
And me?
I'm standing in front of my parents, hands folded, big sad eyes on, voice trembling just enough to pull the guilt strings.
"Mom… Dad…" I start softly.
I take a careful breath. "I… I don't want to stay here anymore."
Vivienne nearly chokes. Victor drops his pen on the floor.
My voice breaks, just the right amount.
"I… I will miss you guys," I continue, "but… you don't like me. You raised her."
I tilt my head. "She's the one who's going to get the company, the wealth, the life you worked for… not me."
I hear Agnes snort from the corner.
Poor girl still thinks I care.
I kneel slightly, soft hands clasped, head bowed.
"Maybe I should just… go back to my orphanage. I was happier there. I… I knew where I belonged… maybe I don't belong here at all."
Vivienne gasps. "No, Navira, don't say that!"
I sniffle dramatically, even letting a tiny tear slip — not too much, just enough.
Victor leans forward. "Sweetheart, what are you saying?"
"I just…" I pause, letting my gaze dart to Agnes, "I feel like you all love her more. You've given her everything. I'm… just the girl who appeared out of nowhere."
Alden and Alastair exchange panicked glances.
Even they are slightly shaken by the theatrics.
Vivienne reaches for my hands. "Oh, darling, no, no! We… we love you too. Of course we do!"
I give a soft, sad laugh.
"I know… but if you really cared… you'd treat me like I matter too. And right now… you don't."
Agnes scoffs. "You're unbelievable."
I ignore her. I never acknowledge her when I'm performing for maximum effect.
I tilt my head again, voice small. "Maybe I should leave… go back to the orphanage. I could… I could try to be happy there. I'll miss you, but… I don't belong here. You raised her. She's the one… the one who will inherit the company, the fortune…"
Vivienne gasps. Victor's hand hovers over his chest like I just stabbed him with words.
"No, Navira," Victor says sharply. "If you leave, you won't just be leaving the house. You'll be leaving a part of us behind!"
I blink innocently. "I don't want to leave anything behind… if you don't care anyway."
"Oh, sweetheart," Vivienne says, her voice soft, almost pleading, "that's not true! We… we can fix this. We want all our children to be equal. Right now, if you want, in our will… we can write it down that every one of you gets the same shares, the same inheritance, everything!"
I blink, looking like a slightly stunned little girl.
"Oh… you would do that?" I whisper.
"Yes, my darling," Victor says, his eyes softening. "You and Agnes… everyone will be equal."
I let a tiny, fake sigh of relief escape. "Oh… thank you."
I glance at Agnes in the corner, who looks like she's about to combust.
Her jaw is locked. Her fists are shaking.
"Oh, don't look at me like that," I say softly, leaning a bit forward with wide eyes.
"This isn't about anyone… it's just… me trying to belong. Back in the orphanage, I… I had nothing. And now, maybe… maybe I can have something that's mine too, without hurting anyone."
Vivienne dabs her eyes. Victor nods gravely.
Even the twins seem unsure how to react — probably realizing that all of my "good girl" act is terrifyingly effective.
Agnes groans audibly. "This isn't fair!"
I blink innocently at her. "I didn't say it was fair. I just… made sure it's right."
Alden clears his throat, muttering something about "Navira's manipulative genius."
Alastair just folds his arms, frowning like a human question mark.
I smile softly. "See? It's all about perspective, Agnes. Sometimes, the right move looks unfair… until it works perfectly."
She groans again, louder this time. "I hate you."
I give her the gentlest, sweetest smile you've ever seen.
"Love you too," I whisper.
Vivienne gasps. Victor coughs.
Alden and Alastair groan silently.
Agnes's head practically explodes.
Mission accomplished.
I tuck my hands neatly in my lap, tilt my head, and murmur softly, just loud enough for the twins to hear:
"Back in the orphanage… we learned how to survive. Here… we learn how to thrive."
And with that, I lean back, calm, victorious, and fully aware: the next moves are mine.