Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 475

Cameron stared in shock. “Wait… Lydia and Mikey? They actually competed together ten years ago?”

Kylie gazed at the photo in her hands, her eyes brimming with tears. Lydia looked so tiny, so sweet and delicate. “So she already met her brothers all those years ago…” Her voice trembled.

She was only eight back then, standing onstage with her brothers and nabbing first place. Kylie’s heart swelled with pride and sorrow at the same time. Her precious daughter had always been amazing… maybe a little too amazing for her own good.

Cameron felt the same tangled emotions twisting inside him. If they’d realized back then that Lydia was their daughter, would she have had to go through so much? Maybe her life would have been easier.

Just then, Blake came home. He spotted his parents huddled over the photo, then came over to join them.

“Dad, Mom.”

Kylie blinked, fighting back the sting in her eyes. Her voice was thick with emotion. “Blake, this photo means the world to me. I want to take it home.”

Blake had known they’d want it. That’s why he’d made extra copies just in case.

“Sure,” he said with a nod.

“Dad, Mom, Blake, you’re back!”

Upstairs, Lucinda had heard the car pull in. She checked the window, spotted them, and felt a rush of excitement. Without thinking, she hurried downstairs, ready to share what she’d learned from her piano practice.

Kylie sighed. “I know. But back then, none of them knew they were family.” She couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if her sons had recognized their sister, or if she herself had stumbled across that photo years ago…

“If Blake and Arthur had realized who their sister really was back then…” Lucinda let her words hang in the air.

Blake suddenly cut in. “Lucinda, does that mean you don’t think of yourself as our sister anymore?”

His question caught her completely off guard. She hesitated, then stammered, “No… of course I do. You guys are my real brothers. I just worry sometimes you might not want me anymore.”

Blake met her eyes, his expression serious. “You’re still family. We have you here because you belong here. You’re our sister, Lucinda. You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone else. Okay?”