The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 558

Catherine paused for a few seconds, then started down the hallway, aiming to slip out the hotel’s back exit.

She had just reached the lobby when someone blocked her path.

“Catherine, you’re here! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Adela, breathless from dashing out of the ballroom, rushed to intercept her, desperate to keep Catherine from slipping away.

“You got here just in time. Come on, let me take you inside. It’s a big day for the Lee family—double good news! Seeing them reunite, I can’t help but feel so envious.” She reached for Catherine’s hand as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Why don’t you come back too?”

Catherine sidestepped the gesture, her eyes going instantly cold.

“Adela, please. Have some dignity.”

Adela bristled, gesturing toward the ballroom. “You know the woman inside, don’t you? You two grew up in the same orphanage. Why is she willing to reconcile with her parents, but you’re not? Is it because you’ve gotten close to the James family—you’ve moved up in the world, and now you think we don’t matter anymore? But have you thought about how I feel? What about me—what am I supposed to do?”

Her voice trembled, eyes brimming with tears. She was growing louder, and people near the ballroom started to glance over, curiosity piqued.

“If you have time to stand here crying, maybe you should spend it thinking about why I refuse,” Catherine shot back, unfazed. She flung the words over her shoulder and strode toward the door.

Adela’s voice rose behind her, desperate and cracking. “Catherine, tell me what I’ve done wrong, please! Just say it, I’ll do anything if you’ll just come home…”

Outside, Aaron had already pulled the car up to the entrance.

Catherine slid inside, and the engine started with a low growl as they pulled away.

Through the window, she saw Adela hurrying after her, only to stumble and twist her ankle. Adela fell hard to the ground but still cried out after the departing car, voice hoarse with longing. “Catherine, please! Your mother misses you, I really do…”

People gathered nearby rushed to help Adela up.

“Adela, what happened to you?”

“I could scream,” Sally muttered, detaching herself from a clique of women with a stiff face. “Catherine was here just now. Did you see her?”

“Catherine?” Adelina blinked in surprise. “She was here? Did she come with Lance?”

Sally shook her head. “She wasn’t with Lance. She delivered a gift on his behalf to Davis—and then Adela ran right after her, begging Catherine to finally acknowledge her as her mother!”

Adelina gaped. “Acknowledge—what relationship?”

Sally sighed, her frustration showing. “You haven’t heard? Catherine is Adela’s long-lost daughter. She wants Catherine to accept her as her mother, but Catherine… refuses.”

Adelina shot to her feet, eyes wide with disbelief. “Wait—she’s one of the Lees? Are you kidding? She and Lorinda grew up in the same orphanage—are they both from your family?”

“Shh!” Sally tugged her down again, lowering her voice. “Keep it down. I don’t know all the details—just that Catherine won’t come back with them. She left with Aaron, and Adela is at her wits’ end.”