Chapter 2 Blood and Choice

"Mom... Dad?"

To everyone's shock, Hendry Willson and his wife, Nadine, had heard the entire argument.

Including the part about Steffy not having Willson blood.

"You're pregnant? And it's David's?" Nadine was utterly stunned. Her body swayed, and Hendry quickly caught her before she could fall.

"David and I love each other! And at least I'm carrying Willson blood. Unlike her," Evelyn said, glancing sharply at Steffy.

Nadine turned to her immediately, her gaze piercing. "What do you mean by that?"

Evelyn straightened, years of pent-up resentment finally exploding. "Why do you always idolize her? Steffy isn't your blood. She's not your biological daughter! She might not even be a Willson at all!"

Hendry rose to his feet, his voice instantly rising. "Don't speak nonsense, Evelyn!"

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Evelyn shouted back. "I'm the one who did the DNA test! In secret, yes! Because I've suspected it for a long time. She's too beautiful, too perfect! She doesn't resemble either of you-not even a little!"

Nadine held her breath, her body trembling.

"A DNA test?" she murmured. "You did that behind our backs?"

Evelyn stepped forward. "Because you were too blind to see the truth. Because you loved a child who might not even be yours more than your own daughter!"

"Steffy is my daughter!" Hendry roared. "My daughter! I don't care whose blood runs in her veins!"

"Dad!" Evelyn's eyes widened. "Even if she was switched at birth?!"

The words instantly silenced the room.

Nadine took a step back. Tears slipped down her face without her realizing it. A long-buried memory resurfaced-a night of chaos in the hospital twenty-seven years ago. The night Steffy was born.

"The hospital..." Nadine whispered. "Back then... they said there was a mistake... a baby was taken to the wrong ward... but they said it had been resolved..."

Evelyn let out a bitter smirk. "Maybe they were wrong. Maybe the child you brought home wasn't yours."

Hendry clenched his fists-not in anger toward Evelyn, but at himself. "We tried to find out years ago. But all the hospital records... were destroyed in a fire in the archives. We never found the truth."

"But you still raised her," Evelyn said sharply. "You chose her, even after knowing she might not be your biological child."

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Evelyn felt as though she had cornered them-won the battle that had been burning inside her for years. But when she looked at Nadine's face, she didn't see the devastation she expected. Instead, there was a quiet strength that made Evelyn falter.

"You're right," Nadine finally said. "Maybe Steffy isn't our biological child. Maybe there was a switch. But she is our daughter-with or without blood ties."

Evelyn took a step back, her voice weakening. "But... I'm your real daughter... I carry your blood..."

"And that's exactly why I'm angry," Nadine cut in firmly. "Because I never thought my own daughter could stab her sister in the back like this. Blood doesn't make you valuable, Evelyn. The choices you make do."

Evelyn froze.

Hendry added in a heavy voice, "The child you're carrying-we will accept. But you... you have to live with what you've done."

Steffy turned her face away, unable to hold back her tears any longer. Her body trembled, but she forced herself to stand tall. She refused to cry in front of the two people who had shattered her dignity.

Without another word, Steffy walked quickly to her room. She pulled a suitcase from beneath the bed and began stuffing clothes into it at random. Her vision blurred with tears, but her hands kept moving.

She wanted to leave. As soon as possible.

Evelyn merely raised an eyebrow when Steffy came downstairs with the suitcase.

"Good. At least you know your place," she said casually.

David stood frozen. He wanted to speak, but not a single word came out.

Just as Steffy reached for the front door, Hendry's voice rang out sharply, stopping her in her tracks.

"Stop right there!"

All heads turned.

Mr. Hendry Willson-father to both Steffy and Evelyn-stood with a face full of anger. His sharp gaze swept over David and Evelyn before landing on Steffy, who looked startled.

"Dad..."

"You're not going anywhere, Steffy."

"But... I don't deserve to stay here anymore, Dad," Steffy whispered, her usually gentle voice now filled with pain. "I'm no one. I'm not even a Willson by blood."

Hendry looked at her, his aging eyes reddened with restrained emotion. "You may not carry my blood, Stef... but you are my daughter. You're the only child who has ever made me proud. You have a big heart, and you're sincere."

Steffy bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

"And you..." Hendry turned toward David and Evelyn, his voice cold as steel. "You've brought shame to this family. You..." he pointed at David, "...are a disgrace. And you, Evelyn... you're carrying a child by your own sister's husband?"

"Dad, I love David..." Evelyn tried to defend herself.

"Love?" Hendry scoffed. "A love that makes you betray your own sister? There is no honor in betrayal. And the child you're carrying will not change that."

David opened his mouth to speak, but Hendry raised his hand, stopping him.

"There will never be a marriage between Evelyn and David. But I agree that David and Steffy should divorce!" Hendry declared firmly.

"Dad, this isn't fair! Your daughter is pregnant, and you won't let me marry him? I'm carrying the heir of the Willson bloodline!" Evelyn protested, unable to accept his decision.

Hendry's face flushed with anger. His fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to keep himself in check in front of Steffy.

Evelyn stepped closer. "Dad, I know this is wrong, but I-"

Hendry's sharp gaze cut her off, his voice booming.

"It is precisely because you carry Willson blood that I will never allow that man to stay in this house!"

David froze.

"Let that child be born without a father," Hendry continued without hesitation. "I will make sure you and your child still have a place in this family, Evelyn. But not that traitor!"

"No... Dad, please... don't do this to us..." Evelyn panicked.

"You don't need to defend him!" Hendry's voice rose again. "He is your sister's husband. Steffy lived with him for five years, and you-the daughter I raised with love-dared to stab her in the back?"

Evelyn fell silent. Her eyes began to glisten, but Hendry remained firm.

Meanwhile, Steffy stood quietly behind Hendry. Her heart was still shattered, but this time, a faint warmth crept through the cracks. Even if she wasn't his biological daughter, Hendry still stood up for her-when she herself had already been ready to leave.

"Dad... I don't know what to say," Steffy said softly.

Hendry turned and placed his hands on her shoulders. His gaze softened, completely different from the sharp look he had given Evelyn and David.

"You're not going anywhere, Stef. This house is still your home. I may not be able to take away your pain today... but you won't face it alone."

Steffy nodded, holding back the tears that were about to break free.

David stepped forward, trying to defend himself. "Mr. Hendry, I love Evelyn... I want to take responsibility..."

"If you were truly responsible," Hendry cut in sharply, "you wouldn't have betrayed your own wife-let alone with her own sister."