the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart

Chapter 371: Why didn’t you tell me the truth when they drove me out?

Delphine’s whole body was cold, her fingertips clenched as she listened to Melody’s voice, both mocking and sympathetic: "The fact that you’re not Beatrice’s biological child, consider it a free gift from me. At Bessie’s wedding tomorrow, let’s make a deal. Once it’s done, I’ll tell you about your biological father. Think it over carefully."

After speaking, Melody confidently took a seat under the wisteria trellis, her gaze drifting over the nearby swing, the wrought-iron tea table for everyday tea rituals, and the floral pumpkin-shaped sofa chair. It was clear what a leisurely life Delphine usually led at the Leclair residence.

The patriarch was often away from home, and most matters were decided by Ignatius. Ignatius was far too indulgent with her. A flash of envy flickered in Melody’s eyes; as she thought about the weakness of Delphine she now held in her hands, her heart eased knowing that after tomorrow, this woman would no longer pose a threat.

She had obtained the paternity test results purely by accident; the doctor who handled the test happened to be one of her pursuers and offered her the secret as a way to curry favor. Melody then schemed to acquire the photos. The fault lay with Beatrice Carter herself, who had grown arrogant after marrying into wealth, handling matters in a high-profile way and inadvertently offending many.

Delphine’s fingers pressed into her palm, and without turning her head, she entered the side hall.

Bessie was suffering from pre-wedding jitters, her temper volatile and restless. At this moment, she was in the side hall throwing a tantrum, leaving the servants frozen in quiet fear.

Mrs. Carter usually spent her days playing mahjong, but with Bessie’s wedding approaching, she was reluctant to go out. Currently, she was at home selecting jewelry to wear to tomorrow’s ceremony. Hearing the knock at the door, she opened it and froze in surprise upon seeing Delphine.

Delphine’s complexion was pale, her eyes dark and intense. Her unwavering stare left Beatrice with a sense of unease.

"What’s wrong? What brings you to see me out of the blue?"

Delphine stepped into the room, her large eyes locked on her, holding back the ache inside. Forcing herself to speak through difficulty and hesitation, she asked: "You’re not my biological mother, are you? Please tell me, who are my real parents, and where are they?"

Beatrice was utterly stunned, her already pale face turning even more ashen. Her eyes widened suddenly, words stuttering incomprehensibly in reply: "You—you—you... Who—who told you that?"

The last glimmer of hope in Delphine’s eyes vanished. From Beatrice’s expression, she had already found the answer she sought. Her eyes reddened, and the pain she had suppressed for so long surged forth uncontrollably as she choked out:

"Years ago, when they drove me away, why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why didn’t you let me go find my real parents?"

If she hadn’t been sent to that so-called distant aunt’s family, everything that followed might never have happened.

Beatrice was thoroughly panicked. This secret, buried deep within her heart for twenty-three years, had been known by so few back then—how could it suddenly be exposed now?

"Delphine, I—I didn’t mean to deceive you. It was your mother who insisted... insisted I shouldn’t tell you. Back then, her health was too frail, and she passed away just days after giving birth to you." Beatrice stammered out an incoherent explanation. By the time she realized what she had said, it was already too late to take back the words.

Delphine’s face turned ghostly pale, her hand gripping the door behind her for support as she staggered backward. Her dry eyes burned fiercely, yet she couldn’t cry. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt raw and torn. In that moment, she became like a mere wooden puppet, stripped of all emotion, senses, and vitality.

"Don’t scare me, Delphine." Beatrice was terrified by her condition, reaching out to shake her shoulders in desperation.