254

Esther was taken aback by the revelation that Billy was not her biological father. She asked in astonishment, “So I’m not really your daughter?”

“No, you’re not my daughter,” Billy replied with difficulty, letting out a sigh. “You have no blood relation to the Anstey family, Esther.

“While I may not have been the most responsible adoptive father, considering the years I provided you with a comfortable life, can you please stop persecuting my daughter? Liliane has had a heart condition since birth, making her already more unfortunate than others. When she finally fell in love with a man, you took him away from her!

“Esther, if you have any ounce of gratitude left, please leave Bradley!”

Billy’s pleading made Esther feel a hint of submission. For years, she had believed she was an illegitimate child, which led her to endure Liliane’s provocations and Leah’s suppression due to her own identity. Now, Billy was telling her that she wasn’t actually an Anstey. The situation seemed ridiculous and ironic.

“Mr. Anstey,” Bradley interjected, gracefully approaching Esther and placing a hand on her shoulder.

With a face full of pity and sympathy, he coldly addressed Billy, “Who are Esther’s biological parents?”

“Her mother is Faye Quill, but I don’t know who her father is,” Billy replied, gnashing his teeth. He recounted the circumstances when Faye entrusted Esther to him.

“When Faye fell seriously ill back then, she entrusted Esther to me. I brought Esther back to the Anstey household. Later on, I learned about Faye’s death from others.”

Esther had no recollection of Faye. In her adulthood, she discreetly consulted a psychologist to understand why she had no childhood memories. The psychologist explained that it was likely due to a traumatic event that her brain had suppressed.

“She didn’t leave anything for me?” Esther inquired, unwilling to give up. Throughout the years, she had no photographs of Faye except for the one on her tombstone.

Billy shook his head, his hands gripping his hair in anguish. Filled with remorse, he said, “At the time, your mother didn’t want to send you to an orphanage. She came to me to discuss. whether I’d be willing to adopt you.

“I already had Liliane then. After much contemplation, I decided to bring you back to the Anstey family, using the excuse that you were my illegitimate daughter. Your mother wasn’t willing. She believed that no woman in the world would accept her husband’s illegitimate daughter without resentment…”

Billy was aware that his actions had pierced Leah’s heart like a thorn.

“I was too young at the time, and I didn’t know how to be a good husband and father. It arrogantly believed I could fulfill those roles, but the reality was that I failed at all of them.

“Esther, because of you, I owe Liliane. Because of you, my marriage has faced problems. Can’t I beg you beg you to spare my Liliane, considering that I did raise you for a while?”

Taking a deep breath, Esther expressed her anguish, “If my mom knew that this would be my life after you brought me home, she would have preferred to let me grow up in an orphanage rather than suffer in the Anstey household. As for Liliane, I have never harmed her. It was she who repeatedly framed and harmed me!”

“That’s impossible!” Billy vehemently denied, his tone harsh. “Clearly, it was you who repeatedly-”

“Forget it,” Esther interrupted him, her disappointment evident. “Don’t worry. I agree with your plea, considering the fact that you raised me. From now on, I won’t appear before the Ansteys anymore. As for Bradley, if Liliane wants him, she can have him-”

Bradley’s cold gaze fell upon Billy’s face, filled with deep affection for his daughter. He sternly interrupted Esther’s words, his expression sinister with a touch of disdain.

“Mr. Anstey, are you so certain and convinced that Liliane is your biological daughter?”