Chapter 60

"Iris, have you lost your mind? She's just a bastard!" Maya's shrill voice shattered the silence in the room. "If Uncle Jack hadn't taken her in out of kindness, she would've died in the wilderness. We've been more than merciful to her!"

Maya's eyes gleamed with malice. She had been waiting for this moment to spew her venom.

"Grandma Clara said it herself—her shameless mother seduced an educated youth from the city and got pregnant before marriage. And what happened? The man went back to the city and married a proper girl from a good family. Her mother died in childbirth—what a joke!"

Maya grew more animated as she spoke, relishing the way Luna's face paled.

Luna clenched her fists. So this was the truth—her origins were this disgraceful. An abandoned child of an educated youth. No wonder the Whites had never treated her as family.

But then, a strange sense of relief washed over her. At least now she knew. No more lies, no more secrets.

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed through the room, cutting Maya off mid-sentence.

"You hit me?" Maya pressed a hand to her stinging cheek, gaping at Iris in disbelief.

"Get out!" Iris grabbed Maya's arm and shoved her toward the door. "From now on, I don't have a sister like you!"

Maya stumbled but caught herself, then spat on the ground. "Fine! Rot in poverty for all I care!" She snatched up her bag and stormed off.

Inside, Iris gently pulled Luna down onto a chair. "Luna..."

"Don't worry, Iris. I'm okay." Luna managed a small smile. "I had my suspicions for a while now."

Henry walked in carrying a steaming bowl of dumplings. "Eat first! Even if the sky falls, you need a full stomach."

The simple farmer didn’t know how to comfort with words, so he showed his care the only way he knew—with food.

Luna accepted the bowl. Through the rising steam, she saw the concern in Iris's eyes and felt warmth spread through her chest.

"Iris, Henry—you're my real family." She picked up a dumpling. "Blood doesn't matter. What matters is how you've treated me."

Iris's eyes welled up. "Silly girl..."

"Here, have more!" Henry slid another bowl toward her, secretly transferring some of his own portion into hers.

"Henry!" Luna stopped him. "If you keep this up, I'll get angry!"

All three of them laughed. Just then, three little figures came bounding into the room, filling it with laughter and chatter.

As Luna watched the scene, she made a silent vow: This time, I'll protect the people who truly love me.