Chapter 123: Meeting Her
"What?" Rosalind gasped in disbelief, having never heard such rumors about the Wright family. The worst they knew was how Gracia died, followed by Sophia taking her place a few years later. The recent birth-switch scandal had been the only other bad incident people knew about this family.
Penelope nodded with a sigh. "They were out on a family visit but crashed into a truck. Though reports claim it was because of the crafty road and heavy rain, many speculate someone planned to murder the family."
"What happened after that?" Rosalind asked curiously, her eyes shifting to William’s table and then back to her daughter-in-law on the stage.
"Gracia was badly hurt and had some memory recessions. She didn’t come out for almost a year. But once Evelyn grew up, the little girl brought life back to her. Gracia was able to quickly heal from whatever the doctors were trying to hide from the world," Penelope explained, recalling how no one was allowed to see Gracia after the accident for a few months. She had, through connections, visited her friend, but Gracia had been silent and lost as if she didn’t have any reason to live anymore, and it had hurt Penelope deeply.
"Poor thing. She’s grown up going through so much," Rosalind said, feeling for Evelyn. Things had always been difficult for her since birth, and hopefully, her son and Kiana would be able to bring the happiness she deserved back into her life.
Penelope nodded in agreement, smiling at the kids on the stage. "Elias was her major escape, even in the mess. That boy never treated her like a stepsister, and it’s rare to find such a relationship these days," she added, watching as Avery and Evelyn teased the teenager.
Rosalind hummed in agreement. Smiling warmly toward the stage, she replied, "True. It must have been hard for him to always pick a side between his parents and her."
While the elders engaged in their conversation, on the stage, Evelyn felt this was the best day of her life. Everyone she had ever wanted by her side was here tonight—her husband, who understood her without the need for words; the father she had always wished to call her his daughter publicly; her best friend and brother, who, though annoying at times, would always be there for her. And then there was Kiana, the best and most favorite gift she had received this year.
"Mommy! Let’s take a selfie!" Kiana happily tugged at Evelyn’s hand, dragging her toward her daddy. She then opened her arms to Zevian, who smiled and lifted her.