Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
She sobbed again. “If I had known it would end like this, I never would’ve let Elsie take on Yunice’s identity in the first place.”
Carl said, “I get it now. Both Oscar and Owen are brave enough to admit when they’ve made a mistake. You should be proud of them.”
Lily went quiet. She couldn’t tell if Carl was praising them or mocking her.
go to prison. After all, hadn’t he helped hide the surveillance footage when Owen hit someone?
Lily cried harder. “If this gets out, all three of my children could be charged. Then I’ll be left all alone. I don’t know how to survive. I don’t understand anything. I can’t do anything. I’d rather die than face Will with this shame…”
Carl asked calmly, “So what’s your great solution, then?”
The question bounced back at her. Lily dodged it. “I don’t know anything about these things. I can’t think of a good plan. If only someone kind could take Elsie under their name, that’d be ideal…” She sighed in frustration. “Yunice… Yunice?”
Yunice snapped out of it and saw Victor looking at her. “Sorry,” she said, apologetic. “I spaced out. Could you repeat the question?”
On the other end of the call, Carl let out a long, thoughtful “Hmm.” Then he asked, “Anyone in mind?”
Lily hesitated, then forced herself to say it. “Carl, you don’t have kids. You’ve never married. No wife to run it by. Couldn’t you let Elsie be registered under your name for a few years?”
“I promise,” she added, “just a few years. Once we get her on her feet, we’ll take her out of your household.”
Carl let out the faintest hint of a mocking smile. “Sorry, but I’ve already acknowledged a goddaughter.”
To his surprise, Lily lit up. “Even better! Once Elsie is part of your family, they’ll be like sisters! I’m sure they’ll get along so well!”
Carl said, “I’ve also got a godson. A brother and sister are already more than enough. They might not want another sibling.”
Lily pressed on. “Then just add Elsie. Young people bond easily. It’ll be fine. Back when Elsie joined the Saunders family, she didn’t know her brothers at all. Now they’re like real family.”
Carl let out a dry laugh. “You know what they say, one monk fetches water, two carry it, three get nothing to drink. I only have so much to give. Two kids is just right. Add one more and I won’t be able to share it fairly.”
Lily’s voice shot up. “You’re really going to split your assets between two godchildren?” Realizing she’d overreacted, she quickly added, “I didn’t mean it like that. I just think you’re still young, Carl. You might have your own kids someday. Isn’t it a bit rash to make that kind of decision? Raising someone else’s child… it’s not the same.”
She clutched her phone tightly. Her heart ached just thinking about it.
How could Carl give away his inheritance to two children who had no blood relation to him?
He’d rather give it to outsiders than give Elsie a chance?
Lily wasn’t ready to give up. “Carl, what if I talk to your godchildren directly? Let me meet them. I’m sure they’ll be willing to help Elsie.”
Carl glanced at Victor and Yunice, who were still quietly discussing the project across the room. “They’re busy these days. Maybe in a few days.”
Lily pressed him. “A few days? I really can’t wait, Oscar’s deadline is too short.”
Carl said, “Two days. You’ll meet them then.”
Lily agreed right away and hung up, thrilled.
Oscar opened his bedroom door and saw Lily walk excitedly into Owen’s room. Inside, Lily, Owen, and Elsie shut the door and began talking.
Oscar’s face fell. He hadn’t expected that after ten years away, he’d be treated like the outsider in his own family.
Lily sat down with Owen and Elsie to plan. “Elsie, if you can get Carl’s godchildren to accept you, he’ll register you under his name. That would make you his legal daughter. You could even inherit some of his estate someday.”
Lily lowered her voice and said seriously, “You have to give this everything you’ve got.”
Owen was thrilled. “Mom, you’re amazing. I never would’ve thought of this. Don’t worry, Elsie is kind, polite, and sweet. She’s just as good as anyone else.”
Lily nodded. She didn’t think it would be hard at all. She couldn’t wait. Why wasn’t it two days already?
But before the second day even arrived, Elsie was already in tears. Paul’s wedding was tomorrow.
Elsie sobbed, barely able to breathe. “Even if I get registered under Carl’s name… what difference does it make? Paul’s getting everything tomorrow – love, money, status. He won’t ever think of me again….”
Neither Owen nor Lily responded. Paul’s wedding was set in stone. There was no stopping it.
Owen felt guilty. “Elsie, it’s my fault. I misjudged him. I never should’ve let you get involved with him after the way he treated Yunice. I’m sorry.”
Lily sighed. “And Yunice, too. She knew exactly what kind of person Paul was. But did she ever…
, Boundaries, and a Broken Name
Owen frowned, feeling a mix of guilt and resentment toward Yunice, but he didn’t want to speak ill of her anymore. Then Lily suddenly thought of something. “I heard Paul’s always been trying to get close to Carl. When it comes to connections, we’re still closer to Carl than he is. If Elsie really becomes Carl’s goddaughter, he might even hand the project over to Paul.”
“If Paul owes Elsie a favor, he won’t be able to ignore her anymore. Taylor can’t compare-she’s just putting on a front with that fake marriage.”
Seeing Owen remain silent, Lily pushed harder. “Taylor’s only advantage is that paper marriage. She and Paul don’t even have feelings for each other. Elsie’s the one who got hurt.”
“So Taylor can steal the man, but we’re not allowed to compete fairly? Just wait-once the Powell family sees what Elsie’s capable of, they’ll kick Taylor out and take our Elsie back.”
Owen still said nothing. In his heart, he didn’t think Paul was a good man. And in situations like this, the sunk cost fallacy shouldn’t drive decisions. The best thing Elsie could do now was cut her losses and find someone better.
But Elsie aimed too high. She refused to lower her standards. All she wanted was Silverburgh’s so-called prince.
Seeing Owen still unwilling to speak up, Elsie pouted and clung to his arm. “Owen, help me. Please?”
Right at that moment, Oscar walked in-and saw the whole thing. “What the hell are you doing?” he burst into the room, furious, yanking Elsie away.
Lily stood up in confusion, looking innocent. Oscar pointed at Elsie and shouted, “What was that? What were you just doing? Who were you hanging all over?”
Elsie’s eyes went wide. Tears shimmered at the edges, like she’d just been gravely insulted.
Lily slapped Oscar on the arm. “What’s wrong with you? You study too much and lost all your common sense? That’s your sister! What’s wrong with her holding her brother’s arm?”
Owen stood up fast. “Oscar, I know you don’t like Elsie, but that was out of line! What are you even accusing us of? If you don’t apologize to Elsie right now, don’t bother calling yourself my big brother again!”
“Owen!” Lily scolded softly. “That’s too much…”
Oscar had only just snapped out of his shock. He hadn’t expected Owen and Elsie to be this close-close enough that Owen would rather sever ties with his real brother than let her take a single insult.
Oscar didn’t apologize. He said nothing and walked out of the room. Owen opened his mouth but didn’t speak. He was both angry and uneasy. He wanted to stop Oscar-but part of him still thought he hadn’t done anything wrong. He thought it was over.
Later that afternoon, Oscar came down for lunch. But Owen and Elsie didn’t join him. Owen acted like nothing happened. “Oscar, Elsie and I aren’t eating at home today.”
Oscar said coldly, “Got plans?”
Owen answered. “Elsie’s birthday is coming up. We’re going to check out venues for her party.”
Oscar set down his utensils, his face growing colder. “When?”
Owen hesitated. “May twenty-eighth.”
Oscar looked past him at Elsie, who was hiding behind Owen pretending to be innocent. “That’s Yunice’s birthday. You’re seriously going to steal even that from her?”
Owen frowned. “No one remembers Elsie’s real birthday, so we thought she could celebrate on the same day as Yunice. They’re sisters-it’s not that big a deal, right?”
Oscar said, “Who wants to share the spotlight on their birthday?”
Owen went quiet, then muttered, “Isn’t Elsie the one who got the short end of the stick? She’s the one borrowing someone else’s day. She never complained. You’re just playing favorites.”
Oscar raised his voice. “So I treat my real sister well, and that’s favoritism? Do you even hear yourself right now?”