Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
The tip of his pen moved swiftly across the blueprint, lines flowing like water. Yunice watched intently, completely immersed, until something lightly pressed down on the top of her head. Startled, she looked up, just in time to see Wyatt mischievously withdraw his fist with a smirk.
He turned to Victor, who was seated nearby. “How long will the blueprint take?”
Victor answered, “A week at most to finalize.”
Wyatt gave a distracted nod, his eyes drifting back to Yunice. His voice softened. “I’ve got a dinner arrangement tonight.”
Yunice replied casually, “Perfect timing. I’m meeting the Saunders family myself.”
“You’re meeting the Saunders family?” Victor frowned. “Then I’ll go with you.”
No sooner had he spoken than Wyatt shot him a cold, side-eyed glance. Victor’s brows furrowed. Of course, he could feel the silent pressure rolling off Wyatt like a storm front.
Yunice did not let him come along. After work, she drove alone to the address the Saunders family had sent. In the parking lot, the first person she saw was Elsie. Her face was half-covered by a surgical mask; her exposed skin was powdered porcelain-white.
The moment she saw Yunice, she moved with delicate, trembling steps, her voice fragile and tremulous. “Yunice…”
Yunice’s eyes swept the area with icy sarcasm. Who was she putting on a show for this time?
“There’s no one else here,” Elsie whispered, as if reading her mind. “I just want to sincerely apologize. I promise, I’ll return your identity to you. Oscar and Owen even brought a notary.”
As she spoke, she bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears.
Right then, Owen finished parking and walked straight into the scene. Seeing Elsie’s tearful face, he stormed over and placed himself protectively in front of her. “She’s already agreed to return your identity. And you’re still bullying her?”
“Owen, you’ve misunderstood,” Elsie interjected quickly. “Yunice hasn’t said anything…”
“She doesn’t need to speak. I can see it in her eyes. If I hadn’t shown up just now, who knows what you would’ve done to her!” Owen glared at Yunice. “Now that she’s climbed the social ladder, she doesn’t care about her parents or brothers. You think she’ll show you any kindness?”
Elsie tugged his sleeve. “Owen, Oscar’s here.”
“Yunny.” The voice came from behind. It was Oscar.
The two brothers had always been at odds. Upon seeing Oscar, Owen pulled Elsie along and disappeared into the private dining area.
“Yunny…” Oscar stepped closer. “Why won’t you even turn around? Do you not recognize your big brother anymore?”
Yunice took a deep breath before turning slowly. “Mr. Oscar.”
Oscar’s eyes trembled, brimming with tears. His jaw quivered. “I’m back now! No one will hurt you again.” He gestured toward the hotel. Anger and guilt twisted his expression. “Everything Elsie stole from… I’ll get it back. And Owen? I won’t let him off easy either! Unless… you’re still angry with me. Is that it? You’re mad because I signed that affidavit, so you think I’m just like him, like Owen. But I swear, I really thought he was doing it for your good back then. That’s why I…”
He exhaled heavily, the pain in his voice unmistakable. “There’s no point in explaining now. Let’s go upstairs. I’ll prove it to you.”
As they stepped into the elevator, he reached out, trying to hold the door open for her, but Yunice silently stepped out of reach, avoiding his touch with a graceful pivot.
“This way,” Oscar said, pushing open the private room door.
Yunice stood at the threshold, the center of every gaze in the room. She had dressed with care tonight. Even her handbag was a luxury brand. Her gaze swept across the room. Familiar faces, but not a single one she truly knew.
She thought silently, Well done… Elsie really went all out gathering this crowd.
Ignoring the stares, Yunice walked in, calm as ice, took her seat, and casually set her bag beside her. Everyone’s eyes were drawn to her hand. The glint of her wedding ring was impossible to miss.
“You got married?” someone blurted out in surprise.
Elsie quickly piped up with a smile, “Yes, Yunice just got married yesterday. She must’ve forgotten to tell everyone.”
“What a coincidence. Mr. Paul also got married yesterday.”
As the atmosphere shifted and people began exchanging strange looks, Oscar cut in, sensing the change. “Enough of that. We’re not here for gossip. You’re all Yunny’s classmates and old acquaintances. I’m sure you’re aware of her real identity.”
Oscar continued, “I invited everyone here tonight to help with something important. I will need…”
“Mr. Oscar, don’t be in such a rush,” a small-time businessman said with a sly grin. “We’re all friends here. Shouldn’t we share a few drinks and catch up a little? Can’t let everyone come all this way for nothing.”
Yunice leaned back in her chair, eyes completely disinterested. She did not even spare the man a glance. Oscar had said these were her classmates and friends. But he got one thing very, very wrong. These people were not her friends. They were the very ones who had bullied her in school. Every wound she had carried, every moment of suffering, these people had been right there behind it, pushing…
, No Fear
Lily rose with a warm smile. “You’re right. Everyone’s come from far away. Let’s eat first and talk business later. Oscar’s just a bit too earnest, that’s all…”
As she spoke, she picked up a wine bottle. “Come, I will pour for everyone.”
“Madam Lily, no!” Someone quickly stood and blocked her hand. “You’re a senior; how could we let you pour for us?”
He then took the initiative, walking around the table to fill everyone’s glasses. When he reached Yunice, he picked up her cup, filled it to the brim, and raised it toward her.
“Yunice, we’ve all known each other since way back. It’s been years. You just got married yesterday, but we didn’t get to celebrate, so tonight, let us all toast to you.”
Oscar clenched his fists. Yunice doesn’t drink.
“What?” The room erupted in laughter. “Oscar, are you serious? You really don’t know your own sister, do you? She can drink.”
“Exactly! You’ve been away too long. Yunice is not the quiet girl you remember. She can party hard. A little alcohol’s nothing to her.”
Oscar’s hands balled even tighter. “Are you all really here to help?”
“Oscar, come on. Drinking’s not a crime. We’re all drinking. You’ve just been out of the loop for too long. You’re too uptight.”
Sensing the tension, Elsie stood with a glass in hand and said sweetly, “Everyone came at my invitation. It means a lot. I’ll lead by example.”
Then, she tilted her head back and downed the wine in one go.
She turned to Yunice with a gentle smile. “Yunice, everyone’s being so welcoming. You can just drink a little.”
Yunice had chronic stomach issues. Even with careful management, drinking was completely off-limits.
Her eyes swept over the group. “I heard everyone here is doing quite well now. You must’ve all turned down important business to come tonight, didn’t you?”
They nodded and chimed in.
“Yeah, I canceled a meeting just to be here. You can’t make us drink alone, can you?”
“I even skipped a date.”
“I ditched a Powell Group banquet for this!”
Yunice smiled and turned to Elsie. “Did you hear that? Everyone sacrificed a lot just to be here at your request. If you only drink one glass, isn’t that a bit… disappointing?”
Elsie froze.
Owen stiffened. “What’s that supposed to mean? You know very well Elsie has health issues. She could barely manage one drink!”
Yunice turned her gaze on him. “If she can’t drink, well, isn’t that what her dear brother is for? Can’t you drink for her?”
Oscar stared at Yunice, stunned. In his memory, she had always been soft-spoken and obedient. When did she grow such a sharp tongue?
“Fine, I’ll drink!” Owen grabbed the bottle and filled his glass to the top. “Thanks for coming, everyone.” He downed three glasses in a row, then slammed the cup down and glared at Yunice. “I’m done. Your turn.”
All eyes turned to her. Now it was her move.
Oscar looked around at the crowd and blurted, “I’ll drink for my sister.”