Chapter 174

Leila stared at Cain in disbelief. Cain always so kind to her, now stood before her with a face ofthunder, making it clear this was no joke.

With a thud, she dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with confusion, “Dad, what did I dowrong?”

Cain looked down at Leila.

Even now, she was playing the innocent, and it reminded him of something Merry had said, “Younever believed me.”

Cain remained silent. He recalled how Metry would always lose her temper when she mademistakes, while Leila, ever the picture of grace, would speak in misunderstood whispers.

Could it be that they had been misjudging Merry all along? If so, he could understand Merry’sresentment. But what he couldn’t grasp was why Leila would act this way towards Merry.

As Cain gazed at her, Leila looked back, her lips pursed, “Dad, did the police find something?”

Her calmness was at odds with the situation, not at all the demeanor of someone caught red–handed.

Seeing Cain’s silence, Leila knew her misdeeds had been exposed. She offered no excuses, shedno tears for mercy, and admitted no guilt.

Kneeling there, head bowed, she asked, “Dad, in your eyes, am I a bad girl now?”

Cain still didn’t speak.

Leila continued, “I know nothing I say will matter now. I won’t try to explain.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, her posture painting a picture of pure, wronged innocence.

Cain’s heart ached, but he hardened it and spoke, “When Latham called me, I couldn’t believe thatyou could be so malicious. Leila, when did you start playing these games?”

Leila bit her lip and remained silent, tears flowing silently.

Sometimes silence is the best defense. Without a solid plan to clear her name, Leila decided tostick to her act of the aggrieved party. It was her only chance to win back her parents‘ hearts.

When Cain saw she wouldn’t speak, he refrained from further rebuke and left the study. “Thinkabout what you’ve done.”

With that, he exited, leaving Leila alone on the plush carpet, a chill creeping into her bones as shestared at the floor, a storm of emotions swirling in her eyes.

It wasn’t until Paulina and Cain had finished dinner that he came upstairs to ask, “Do youunderstand your mistake?”

Leila replied obediently, “Yes.”

She kept her head down, the image of fragile remorse.

Cain sighed deeply, “You and Merry are blood sisters. This time, you were spared exposure byMerry’s grace. I hope you can put aside your malice and truly treat her as your sister,”

Leila listened, a flicker of something in her eyes, and nodded earnestly.

If it had been a son, Cain would have disciplined him without a second thought.

But a daughter. It was a conundrum, He couldn’t bear to send her to the police, and he worried that a physical punishment might be toomuch for her to endure. After a long stare, he finally exhaled, “Alright, go back to your room.”

Leila nodded again. Once in her room, she waited in silence. Whenever she was hurt in the past,Paulina would rush to tend to her wounds. Now, her knees throbbed from kneeling so long, yetPaulina never came.

After waiting in vain, Leila opened the door and stepped out, only to hear Paulina and Cain arguingin the living room.

“It’s all because of your favoritism,” Cain accused.

Paulina exploded, “My favoritism? What about yours? Which trip did you ever forget to bring Leila agift? Did you ever do the same for Merry? It was always an afterthought.”

Cain stumbled over his words, “But it’s because Leila would call me, and Merry wouldn’t. How did Iforget? But how did Leila turn out like this?”

“You’re blaming me?” Paulina retorted, “We have two kids. At least Merry, though temperamental,has a kind heart. You never bother with them, and now you blame me for not keeping an eye onthem? Fine, you take care of the kids from now on.”

With that, Paulina stormed upstairs. At the sight of Leila, she paused, her voice sharp with anger,“What are you doing out here?”

“My knees hurt,” Leila said.

Paulina turned and entered the study. Within moments she emerged with a first aid kit, handing it toLeila without a glance before walking away.

Leila stood frozen. Eventually, she retreated to her room and treated her own wounds.

That night, there was no warm milk before bed, nor did Paulina come to check on her.

The next morning, Leila prepared her schoolbag and went downstairs, where she overheardPaulina instructing the housekeeper on the lunch preparations, “Make sure the lunchboxes areready, with two meals packed.”

Leila paused before asking, “Mom, are we starting to deliver lunches now?”

Some students, who didn’t like the school cafeteria food, had their meals delivered by their nannies.Leila had enjoyed this service when she started high school but had stopped to fit in with herclassmates. As she was about to ask, Paulina said, “Yes, with exams coming, Merry is studying sohard, and she’s lost weight. I’ll be delivering her lunch every day, along with a meal for MissCordelia from the Delaney family. Merry is staying with them, and we should make it easier for her.”

Leila was stunned.

Two lunches were made one for Merry, one for Cordelia. And what about her lunch?

She asked, “What about me?”

“You’ve been eating in the cafeteria, haven’t you? Merry’s situation is different, and she’s afraid ofwater.” Paulina’s eyes met Leila’s as she instructed, “From now on, don’t you dare deliver water toMerry, understand?

Leila clenched her fists.

Paulina’s attitude towards her and Merry had a complete change. As sweet as she used to be toLeila, that was how sour she had turned now.

Chapter 1/4 Taking a deep breath, Leila nodded to herself.

After lunch, she headed to school. As soon as she stepped into the classroom, the buzz of herclassmates‘ whispers hit her like a cold draft. Leila paused, thrown off for a moment, then tried togreet her best friend, who gave her a brief glance before turning away, ignoring her.

Leila took her seat, feeling the weight of isolation pressing down on her. No sooner had she settledin than the guy in front of her swiveled around to face her. “Leila,” he said, his voice a mixture ofcuriosity and accusation, “we heard it was you who photoshopped that picture and posted it online,trying to frame Merry. Is that true?”

Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Father