Clara's heart clenched instantly.
She lifted her gaze towards her mother, desperately searching for even the faintest sign —anything that could assure her she wouldn't be abandoned again.
But the stunned expression on Charlotte's face only made her heart sink.
One look was enough.
The decision that should have been obvious was actually not obvious to her mother.
There was hesitation.
There was a struggle.
A struggle of choice … just like it has always been.
Clara's fingers curled tightly against the arm of the chair, her teeth grinding together.
Why was she still not their priority?
Hadn't she been expressive enough about her sufferings all these years?
"No." Charlotte shook her head frantically, her eyes losing focus as panic overtook her. Her fingers tightened around Liam's arm. "No, Liam. We can't … we can't choose one of them. They are both your sisters. We can't choose between them."
Liam had also not expected this either. He covered his mother's hands with his own, trying to steady her.
"Mom, I know. Adelyn and Clara are both our sisters. There is no way we would choose between them. Calm down."
Charlotte nodded, clinging to her reassurance. Then she turned back to the masked man.
"We won't choose between them," she said firmly. "We can't."
Because of the mask on his face, it was impossible to read his expression. But the way his gaze darkened made it clear —this answer displeased him.
"Why is it so difficult for you to make a choice?" he asked lightly. "Isn't it the simplest one of all?"
He walked slowly closer to Clara and Adelyn, stopping behind Clara first.
"After all," he continued, his voice deceptively calm, "one of them is the daughter you endured pain to bring into this world."
Charlotte stiffened.
"And the other?" He tilted his head slightly. "Just a child raised by mistake. A substitute you nurtured while believing she was your own."
Charlotte's breath caught.
His gaze shifted —from Clara to Adelyn.
"One is the daughter who was robbed of your love from the moment she was born," he went on, almost gently. "The child who grew up without you … without family … without warmth."
Charlotte's eyes moved back to Clara, her heart clenching as memories of all those lost years surfaced.
"And the other," he added, lowering his voice, "is the one who enjoyed every bit of that love that hadn't belonged to her from the beginning. The one who lived comfortably in the place meant for your real daughter."
Liam's jaw tightened.
"But tell me," the man said suddenly, deliberate amusement creeping into his tone, "if love were truly equal —"
He stepped fully behind Adelyn now.
"—then why is the daughter you lost the one trembling in fear … while the daughter you raised looks as though she has already made peace with death?"
Silence crashed down heavily.
"So," he concluded softly, "are you truly unable to choose … or are you just afraid to admit that you already have?"
"No!" Charlotte almost screamed, instinctively taking a step back. "I treat both of them equally. To me, both are my daughters. I gave birth to one, and I raised the other with all my love. I can't treat either of them unfairly."
"Really, Madam Scott?" the man asked calmly. "Are you certain of that?"
"You —"
Before Charlotte could argue further, Liam and Bryer stepped in, holding and steadying her.
She turned to them, defending herself desperately.
"Liam, Bryer, that's not true. You know me. I could never be biased. Clara is my daughter —I found her after so long. Of course, I feel indebted to her. But Adelyn … she —"
"Mom, we know you," Liam said gently, meeting her gaze.
Bryer rubbed her arm in reassurance. "We trust you. And so do Clara and Adelyn."
Then he turned towards his sisters, continuing, "If Clara didn't trust you, she wouldn't have gotten close to you so easily. And Adelyn … she has always cared deeply for you. There is no way she would doubt your intentions."
Charlotte looked at her daughters. Her gaze lingered on Adelyn, the aloof, indifferent expression of her eyes unsettling her heart.
"Adelyn," she said softly, her voice almost pleading, "you trust your mother, right?"
She didn't know why she needed to hear it.
But something inside her was desperate for her reassurance.
Adelyn finally moved.
She finally lifted her eyes —not to her mother, but straight ahead. Her lips parted slightly.
"Yes," she said quietly.
Then after a brief pause, she added —
"I trust you … to choose."
Her gaze didn't waver.
And somehow, that was far more worse than refusal.
Charlotte felt her heart drop.
For the first time, she realized —Adelyn's silence had never come from quiet confidence in them, but from deep-rooted distrust.
But how could she not trust them?
They are her family —the only ones who would always protect her. There is no way they would let any harm come her way.
Then why was she like this?
Why didn't she believe them?
"Adelyn," Bryer frowned, his tone edged with blame. "How can you be so insensitive in a situation like this? Mom is already so worried about you, and you are throwing a tantrum?"
Adelyn didn't respond.
She didn't explain.
She listened as though she hadn't heard him at all.
Before Bryer could say more, Clara spoke.
"Mom, you don't have to be so hard on yourself. Just make a choice that eases you." Tears streamed down her face. "I won't blame you, even if you don't choose me today. Adelyn has been the treasure of the family. I have long seen how all of you cherish her. Choose her and take her home."
She paused, then turned her gaze towards Xavier, whose eyes hadn't left Adelyn even once.
"Xavier came here for Adelyn too. He loves her too much. He wouldn't be able to bear to see her being subject to any harm."
Charlotte shook her head frantically, feeling she was wronging her own daughter. "No, Clara, don't say that. Mom loves you the same. I can't bear to leave either of you behind."
Xavier frowned as well. "Clara, don't say that."
"No, Xavier. I understand, and —"
"Enough," Liam interrupted sharply.
His jaw clenched as he looked at the man standing silently behind his sisters.
"Stop manipulating them," he said coldly. "I have made my decision."