Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Having endured much hardship, Lily was deeply respected by both Owen and Oscar. They had never raised their voices at her. But today, Owen broke that rule. Despite Lily’s discomfort, he pressed on. “Then did you ever ask her what she likes to eat?” Lily hesitated before stammering, “Maybe because I didn’t raise her when she was young, she doesn’t feel close to me. She doesn’t talk to me much…”
Owen’s expression darkened. I could tell she was lying. I had watched Yunice grow up. As a child, every birthday wish she made was for our mother to come back and hold her. The first night Mom was rescued and brought home, Yunice had eagerly wanted to share a room with her, saying she had a lifetime of things to talk about. But what had our mother said? She had said that Elsie was afraid and needed her, that the bed wasn’t big enough for three people, and had told Yunice to sleep alone. For the first time, Owen realized that maybe their mother had never truly cared about Yunice.
And at the door, Paul had witnessed it all. He had come with Margaret. Margaret was Paul’s mother, and she had watched Yunice grow up. The two got along well. Paul had come to the Saunders mansion today because his father wanted both families to have a meal together and formally discuss the annulment. Margaret had worried that the annulment would be another blow to Yunice, so she had come personally to take Yunice away, hoping to prepare her in advance. Send Gifts
Inside the car, Margaret twisted open a bottle of water and handed it to Yunice. “Be good, drink some water. You’ll feel better…”
“Thank you, Madam Margaret.”
Seeing Yunice looking so weak, Margaret’s eyes welled up with tears. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue before starting the car and heading to a pharmacy to buy some stomach medicine for Yunice. Yunice remained silent and distant from Margaret. Her gaze was fixed on the scenery outside the car window, like a caged bird longing for something beyond its reach.
Margaret sniffled and spoke while driving. “Yunny, do you blame me for not visiting you?”
Yunice’s eyelashes trembled slightly at these words. She lowered her eyes and replied, “No.”
Margaret was Paul’s mother, not mine. I had no right to expect kindness from her. Besides, the Powell family was about to annul the engagement. Soon, Margaret would become Elsie’s husband’s mother. If I didn’t know my place, things would only become more awkward. I had no desire to maintain these superficial relationships anymore. All I wanted now was a secure identity I could rely on.
Margaret wiped her tears and sighed. “Yunny, I won’t lie to you. I made a poor choice in marriage and have only been living a facade of happiness. I’ve spent most of the past few years abroad and rarely returned… I have little say in major family…”
Yunice understood the implication behind Margaret’s words. The “major matter” she referred to was undoubtedly the annulment of my engagement to Paul.
After a moment of thought, Yunice turned to Margaret. “Did Paul not tell you that I already agreed to break off the engagement?”
The car suddenly sped up before Margaret steadied herself and raised her voice. “You agreed?”
Yunice hummed in response and said seriously, “Paul and Elsie love each other. I’m willing to step aside for them.”
Why hold on to a man who had already strayed?
Margaret still found it hard to believe. “But you love Paul so much. Are you really willing to let go?”
She just hoped Yunice wasn’t suppressing her emotions and planning something drastic. It wasn’t that Margaret was wary of Yunice, but the events from three years ago had been too extreme. She didn’t want history to repeat itself. Loving someone deeply for so long and then suddenly claiming to have no feelings – it was hard to believe.
Yunice responded, “I was only with Paul to give my father peace of mind. In truth, I’ve always seen him as an older brother. I never intended to marry him.”
Margaret was momentarily stunned and glanced at Yunice with uncertainty. Her gaze was clear, carrying a soft indifference, with no trace of heartbreak. Seeing this, Margaret asked no further questions. No matter what, Yunice agreeing to the annulment was beneficial to everyone.
Margaret stepped forward and yanked the tag off, making it impossible to return. “That brat wronged you so badly. What’s wrong with his mother spending a little money on his behalf?”
Yunice exhaled slowly. After enduring for so long, even the smallest kindness made me uneasy.
Margaret then personally did Yunice’s makeup before taking her to the private dining room. As the elevator doors opened and Yunice was about to step in, she felt Margaret suddenly freeze beside her. Then, Margaret spoke in an uneasy tone, “Wyatt?”
Yunice lifted her head and first saw a black cane and polished leather shoes. Her heart skipped a beat. When she looked up at his face, she immediately averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact. It was the man from the alley that night. I hadn’t seen his face clearly back then, but I recognized that cane.
Wyatt swept his amused gaze over Yunice before speaking to Margaret. “What a coincidence. You’re here too, Margaret?”
Margaret felt apprehensive around Wyatt. She knew his words weren’t directed at her, so she simply replied in a low voice, “Your brother is having dinner with the Saunders family.”
Wyatt let out an “Oh” and made a thoughtful gesture. “The Saunders family… It must be about the annulment, right? I heard the Saunders girl has a mental illness. My brother is such a proud man – how could he ever accept someone like that into our family!”
Talking about someone like this to her face – how shameless.
Margaret glanced awkwardly at Yunice before saying, “That’s just a rumor. Ms. Saunders is perfectly fine. Your brother is very happy with this marriage.”
Wyatt smirked. “So tonight’s dinner is for discussing the wedding? Congratulations.” He stepped out of the elevator, his cane making a dull thud against the marble floor. Only then did Margaret pull Yunice into the elevator.
As the doors closed, Yunice stared at the man’s towering figure and instinctively asked, “He’s Wyatt Cooper?”
Sensing Yunice’s curiosity, Margaret warned her, “Don’t be fooled by his looks. He’s a bad guy.”
Yunice had heard of Wyatt’s notorious reputation since childhood. At a Powell family banquet I attended as a child, I had witnessed him knocking over an entire champagne tower, causing a huge scene. Back then, Wyatt had been a rebellious teenager without a disability, already displaying his defiant nature. No wonder I had found him familiar in the alley. I had met him before.
As for Wyatt’s position, Paul had to call him “Uncle,” though he never did, nor did he acknowledge any relationship with Wyatt. After all, Wyatt was an illegitimate son. The Powell family had wanted him to change his surname to Powell, but he refused, insisting on keeping his mother’s surname. As a result, the Powell family never accepted him. But judging by Margaret’s reaction earlier, the power dynamics in the Powell family seemed to be shifting.
The elevator chimed, snapping Yunice out of her thoughts. She followed Margaret into the private dining room.
Not long after, Owen and Lily arrived.
Today, Elsie is the main focus.
Margaret held Yunice’s hand and said to Owen, “I just wanted Yunny to chat with me. Do you have a problem with that? If not for Yunny’s father, we wouldn’t even be sitting at the same table. Don’t forget your roots, Mr. Owen.”
Margaret’s words made Lily lower her head, while Owen’s face darkened in silence. Because of the power of the Powell family, he couldn’t argue with Margaret when she was defending Yunice.
A while later, Paul’s father, Jensen Powell, arrived with a young woman. Everyone immediately stood up, and Yunice looked at the unfamiliar woman beside Jensen in confusion. I had never seen her before.
Noticing the sudden change in Margaret’s expression, Yunice finally understood what she meant by “having a difficult life.” The woman took her seat next to Jensen, smiling graciously at Margaret before turning her attention to Lily. These powerful figures were masters at maintaining a perfect facade, hiding the storm brewing beneath the surface.
Yunice only later learned that Jensen had been with this woman for years. Margaret had endured the humiliation and divorced him three years ago.
Paul entered the room holding Elsie’s hand and addressed everyone, “Elsie and I were just ordering food. Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
Jensen’s new wife smiled warmly. “And this must be Yunny? She’s so graceful and refined. No wonder Paul adores her.”
, Why Is He After Me?
Jensen frowned and pulled his arm away from the woman beside him. It was obvious he found her clinging too blatant, embarrassing even. Everyone at the table had known each other for over twenty years. No one was ignorant of each other’s dirty laundry. She wasn’t even trying to hide it-almost as if she was flaunting her status as a mistress.
An awkward silence fell over the room. Paul tugged Elsie to a seat but didn’t bother introducing her. Owen watched their intertwined hands with growing irritation. The engagement with Yunice wasn’t even officially annulled yet, and he was already with another?
Noticing the shift in Owen’s expression, Elsie instinctively tried to pull her hand away. But Paul, as if deliberately trying to provoke, tightened his grip and placed their joined hands openly on the table for everyone to see.
Naturally, this action drew attention to Yunice. Several gazes fell upon her, but she remained seated, composed, her eyes downcast in quiet detachment. It was as if the world around her didn’t exist.
Both Owen and Lily sighed in relief. Finally, Yunice was acting sensibly. She should know when to let go if she couldn’t hold on. But Paul’s face darkened. Why wasn’t she reacting? Why wasn’t she making a scene? Did she not care about me at all?
Yunice seemed like nothing more than an extra at the table. She paid attention to neither the conversations nor the unfolding drama. It was as if she was there merely to have a meal. And truthfully, no one was speaking to her either.
Soon, the waitstaff arrived with the dishes. Margaret didn’t bother with formalities; she picked up her chopsticks immediately. She served herself, then placed food onto Yunice’s plate, whispering, “Eat up. If nothing else, at least don’t wrong yourself.”
Yunice couldn’t say she wasn’t touched. Betrayed by both family and fianc?, she had long stopped placing expectations on anyone. So Margaret’s warmth made her feel a little bitter. Quietly, she ate the light, refreshing dishes, her stomach finally at ease.
Once the last dish was served, a server smiled and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, all dishes have been brought out. If you need anything else, please call my employee number.”
“My number is 1030.”
The sound of plates knocking and chairs scraping against the floor merged as Yunice abruptly shot up, her voice trembling as she instinctively responded, “Present!” Her reaction was so sudden that everyone flinched in shock, especially Lily, who clutched her chest as if she might faint.
Without a word, she turned and left. Why stay and endure their contempt? She’d rather have some peace outside. Ironically, as she left in embarrassment, not a single person spoke up.
Just when she thought she was finally out of it, Jensen’s voice rang out, “Hold on.” Yunice stopped and turned around. She saw Jensen exchange a look with the woman beside him, who then retrieved a red envelope from her bag.
Both Yunice and Paul recognized it instantly; it was their engagement contract. Jensen’s imposing gaze bore into Yunice. “You know why you’re here today. Do I need to spell it out? Sign off and leave.”
Yunice stepped forward, took the document, and glanced at it. Paul suddenly tensed. If she signed, the contract would be void. Surely, Yunice wouldn’t go through with it? If she truly wanted to break it off, why had she been acting so indifferent toward me? Isn’t it just a ploy to get my attention? Now that she was about to lose me as her last bargaining chip, she wouldn’t keep up the act, would she? Maybe she’d even beg us to…
Just as Paul was imagining Yunice breaking down in regret, her calm voice cut through his thoughts. “I’ve signed.”
“What-?” Paul shot to his feet. Now it was everyone else’s turn to give him odd looks. Wasn’t he the one demanding the breakup? Why was he so agitated now?
Yunice placed the annulled engagement contract neatly on the table and left. But once outside, she had nowhere to go. She leaned against the railing, staring at the red ink on her fingertip, feeling a crushing emptiness. He had been my fianc? for over ten years. It was impossible not to feel anything as our bond was officially severed. I didn’t know who else I could rely on. I felt like a floating weed, with no place to call home.