Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Just then, a waiter approached her kindly and said that a lady inside had asked her to return to the room and wait instead of wandering around. It was Margaret. Taking the key card, Yunice started heading back.
“You went to the black market that night. Does your family know?!” A playful voice rang out behind her, making Yunice stiffen. She turned around quickly and met Wyatt’s gaze.
Wyatt stood with his hands resting atop a cane, his sharply tailored trousers fitting his long, straight legs. When motionless, his limp was almost imperceptible. No one knew the truth about his leg, but everyone knew about his notorious reputation. Half the people in Silverburgh avoided him, while the other half wished they could take him down for good.
Yunice’s expression turned wary. Nothing good ever came from dealing with him. Noticing her guarded stance, Wyatt raised his wrist and smirked. “Did you steal this from home too?”
Seeing the jade bracelet on his wrist, Yunice’s breath caught. She lunged forward, reaching for it. “That’s mine! How did it end up with you?” Wyatt lifted his hand above his head. Given their height difference, even on tiptoes, Yunice couldn’t reach. Jumping twice only left her gasping in pain.
Wyatt tilted his head, watching her struggle. “Is it yours? I thought it belonged to the pawn shop.” Yunice glared up at him. “You investigated me?” I had pawned the bracelet before running into him. For him to have it now meant he had looked into me after the fact.
“But pawn shops have confidentiality policies-” Wyatt cut in indifferently. “Policies bend to money. Do you think buying your bracelet was difficult?” Yunice had no counterargument. After a pause, she closed her eyes, resigned. Talking about rules in a black market-only a fool would do that.
I had planned to buy back the bracelet in three months once I had saved 70,000 dollars. Now, even if I had the money, the shop would just claim it was lost and throw me some compensation to shut me up. Regret washed over her. But soon, another question dawned on her.
I and Wyatt had no grievances. If anything, I had saved his life that night. Though the situation had been less than dignified, it wasn’t enough reason for him to chase me down for revenge. Maybe I had judged him unfairly. Just because others called him a villain didn’t mean I should assume the same.
So, with a sincere expression, she asked, “Did you redeem my bracelet to repay your debt for me saving your life?”
?e Sure Knows a Lot
“Huh?” Wyatt found it utterly amusing, raising an eyebrow. “Do you take me for a saint?”
Yunice was speechless. The rumors about him being born wicked weren’t unjustified. She frowned and asked, “What will it take for you to return it?”
With his status, he certainly wasn’t after money. It was most likely just for his own amusement. Wyatt seemed undecided about his terms and remained silent for a moment.
Just then, the private room door behind him opened from the inside, signaling the end of the gathering. Owen was the first to step out, his expression grim. Paul followed closely behind, about to speak to Owen when his gaze unexpectedly landed on Yunice. His heart clenched when he saw the man standing opposite her. He rushed forward and pulled Yunice behind him, snapping at Wyatt, “What are you doing standing with her?!”
If he hadn’t yelled, it would’ve been fine. But his outburst immediately drew the attention of everyone emerging from the private room. Seeing Paul clutching Yunice, Jensen’s face darkened. I had just helped him get rid of this burden, yet here he was, entangling himself with her again! An absolute fool, just like his mother, driven by emotions.
Meanwhile, Owen instinctively looked at Elsie. As expected, she appeared dejected, her eyes red, yet she still spoke kindly on their behalf. “Paul is standing up for Yunice. It shows that he’s a man of loyalty.”
Paul might be loyal, but Yunice had no sense of propriety. Was she still hoping to marry into the Powell family? Did she even look at herself in the mirror to see if she was worthy?
Earlier in the private room, Yunice had signed the annulment papers. However, Jensen had not allowed Paul and Elsie to sign their engagement papers, using Paul’s uncle, Wyatt Cooper, as an excuse to delay the marriage. It was clear that the Powell family had no interest in either of the Saunders daughters. Their talk of swapping fianc?es had merely been a tactic to push for the annulment.
Owen had lost significant face in the private room. Now, looking at Yunice, he could barely contain his anger. If it weren’t for her mental illness, if she hadn’t stood up and embarrassed herself, how could Jensen have developed such a poor impression of our family? Elsie hadn’t secured the engagement with the Powells because Yunice had deliberately sabotaged it!
Not wanting to linger in disgrace, Owen strode forward and dragged Yunice away. Yunice stumbled as she was pulled along, glancing back repeatedly at Wyatt’s sleeve-my bracelet! Lily and Elsie followed closely behind. Paul, wanting to explain, hesitated as Elsie cast him a wounded look before leaving as well.
Wyatt took in the scene and smirked. “I heard the Powell family is celebrating an upcoming wedding. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, brother.”
?e Sure Knows a Lot
Margaret could tell it wasn’t a compliment but wasn’t sure if Wyatt was referring to Yunice or Elsie.
Hyatt was no longer the pitiable outcast everyone could step on. He played both sides and made money in all kinds of ways. His influence far exceeded that of the Powell Corporation. Jensen had felt the pressure, which was why he wanted Paul to marry someone who could benefit the family. The Saunders family… simply didn’t make the cut.
Margaret had no patience for Wyatt’s affairs. She frowned and asked Paul, “What is your decision?”
“What decision?” Paul didn’t understand.
“Between Yunice and that Elsie, who are you choosing?” Margaret asked again.
“…Of course. I choose Elsie.” Paul replied.
“Then stay away from Yunice. Don’t cause her trouble.”
Paul remained silent.
to marry Elsie, but I couldn’t stand how cold Yumer was toward me. Did our fifteen years together mean nothing to her! How could she just annul the engagement so easily?!
Back at the Saunders mansion, Yunice was dragged home by an enraged Owen, with Lily and Elsie hurrying behind them. The moment they stepped into the living room, Owen flung her hand away and vented his fury. “Will you only be satisfied if this family falls apart?!”
Yunice steadied herself against the sofa, confused about what had triggered his anger this time. She had done exactly what he had asked of her today.
Owen pointed at her, yelling, “Don’t play innocent! You stood up at the dining table just to embarrass us and sabotage Elsie’s engagement! If I had known you were this intolerable, I never should’ve brought you back from that psychiatric hospital!”
Elsie, heartbroken, could barely stand. Lily held onto her, tears falling as she pleaded, “Yunice, I know you resent your sister, but Paul chose to marry her. She knew you loved him and rejected him countless times over the past three years. But today… Today, you made things so difficult for her…”
Yunice was momentarily stunned before she realized the truth. Elsie had likely been rejected by the Powells, and Owen was taking his frustration out on her. She let out a silent laugh and asked, “You only noticed that I suddenly stood up, but did you ever ask why I did? Do you know what 1030 represents? 1030 was my number in the psychiatric hospital. For three years, I had no name. 1030 was my identity.”
Looking toward Owen, she continued. “You blame me for standing up suddenly, but did you consider why? That number triggers a conditioned response in me. Do you know what kind of punishment I would receive in the psychiatric hospital if I was even one second late in standing up? Do you know what it feels like to have electric clamps on your fingers? Have you ever experienced incontinence? Tell me, who, after countless electric shocks, wouldn’t react as I did?”
Owen didn’t know. He knew nothing. He didn’t know 1030 was my number. He didn’t know I had been subjected to electric shocks. As a medical professional, Owen was well aware of how caregivers secretly abused patients. If this happened even in hospitals, how much patience would a psychiatric institution have for the mentally ill?
Yunice continued, “That massive hotel had numerous waitstaff, yet they just happened to assign someone with the ID 1030 to serve us.” Owen caught the implication and turned to Elsie with suspicion.
?e Sure Knows a Lot
In the past, Yabely would only argue with Oren, blaming him for his bias. Now she had learned to redirect the blame skillfully and persuasively. People act rationally when emotional. Yunice had once cared too much about family, which led her to complain and argue-never focusing on the key points. Owen had always dismissed her as unreasonable.
She no longer had expectations for him. She had detached herself, becoming an observer, and could finally see the…
Realizing Owen was doubting her, she quickly protested, “Tad ordered the food; I wasn’t involved. And the server’s ID was definitely just a coincidence. How could Paul deliberately torment my sister?”
With that, she shifted the blame to Paul. If Owen wanted to get to the bottom of it, he would have to confront Paul. But Owen valued family; he wouldn’t pursue the matter.
As expected, Owen turned his attention back to Yunice. “Electroshock therapy is a standard treatment for mental illness. It’s not unreasonable for them to use it on you. What’s unreasonable is you. If you’re cured, then you should correct your bad habits. Do you really think that the number 1030 is going to avoid you forever?”
The moment Owen mentioned 1030, Yunice felt an involuntary jolt in her knee, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to stay still, biting into the meat in her mouth. The metallic taste of blood spread across her tongue. Yunice’s gaze steadied. “Don’t worry. I’ll change.”
Elsie, thinking she had turned the situation in her favor, smirked slightly, but before she could bask in her victory, Yunice spoke again. “But do you all really think the Powell family rejected Elsie just because of my outburst?”
Owen’s tone was indifferent. “Isn’t that the reason?”
Yunice chuckled. “I’ve been ‘crazy’ for a long time. This isn’t news. The Powell family has always known about my condition. Yet they still agreed to Elsie and Paul’s engagement. That means, as long as it’s not me marrying into their family, they don’t care about my illness. Am I wrong?”
No one could refute her. Yunice’s mental illness had been a known fact for years. Three years ago, she was already cast aside. There was no reason for the Powell family to suddenly act differently now.
She continued, “Besides, isn’t contrast supposed to make the flower look more beautiful? If I lost my composure, wouldn’t that make Elsie seem even more poised? If Mr. Jensen was truly satisfied with her, my presence should’ve only made him appreciate her more, not less.”
Owen choked on his words. Elsie clenched her fingers anxiously, while Lily’s expression turned sour. She shot Yunice a sharp glance.
Noticing Lily’s subtle movements, Yunice smirked inwardly. This woman had always believed she raised a beloved and admired rose, one that everyone should cherish.
Fine. Then let’s shatter that illusion.
“The Powell family isn’t just a wealthy family. They are the elite of the elite. Their chosen partners must be flawless in every way: appearance, family background, demeanor. Each trait must be impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. So tell me, do you really think a counterfeit heiress who gets asthma attacks whenever she’s too hot, too cold, too excited, too frightened, or whenever the air quality isn’t perfect is suitable to stand in the spotlight at high-society banquets?”
Owen froze. Elsie turned red with rage and stomped on her own mother’s foot.
Lily protested, “Yunice, how could you belittle your own sister like this? Owen truly loves Elsie. He doesn’t care about these things.”
Yunice did not hesitate to strike at the heart of the issue. “Is the Powell family run by Paul or by his father?”
Lily tried to argue, “Paul will persuade-“
“Mom,” Owen interrupted her. Lily might not understand how the world worked, but Owen did. Junior was right. Jensen was the one who made the decisions. Love did not matter. Paul could not go against his father. And Elsie’s illness… her background! Those were hidden risks Jensen, that old fox, would never take such a gamble.
Owen pressed a hand to his forehead, suddenly feeling irritable. Why had he not thought of this before!