611.Chapter 611
Eliza didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry when she heard this.
She found it hard to believe that Rafe’s birthday was actually on the same day as hers.
They had the same father, different mothers, yet were born on the exact same day.
‘What are the odds of that? Was Rafe lying to me? Or was there something wrong with my birthday or his?‘ Thinking about it, Eliza suddenly remembered that her mother hadn’t just struggled during labor–she had gone into labor two weeks early.
And after giving birth, Caroline’s health rapidly declined.
At the time, no one suspected anything unusual. After all, her mother had passed away “due to illness” long after giving birth.
But Eliza had always suspected her mother had been poisoned during childbirth.
Initially, she thought it might have been Zoie who had done it, but there was a possibility it wasn’t her.
Or perhaps Zoie hadn’t acted alone. Eliza thought there could be someone else involved, for instance, Rafe’s birth mother. Eliza still couldn’t say for sure if their so–called father had a part in it, or someone else manipulated the situation behind the
scene.
But one thing she knew–if she and Rafe really were born on the same day, then coincidence was the least likely explanation. The more plausible answer was that someone had planned it. And if it was planned, there could only be one reason: A switch.
Her heart started pounding like a drum as the thought hit her, her face going pale.
In that moment, she even began to doubt herself. ‘If my guess is correct, did the switch go through back then? And if it did, then who am I really?‘
That terrifying thought lasted only a second before Nolan suddenly grabbed her wrist, grounding her like an anchor pulling a drifting soul back to earth.
She looked up, her breathing uneven as her teary, red–rimmed eyes met the tall man standing before her. She looked as though she was on the verge of breaking down, and the sight made Nolan’s heart ache.
Fighting the urge to pull her into his arms, he spoke in a hoarse voice, “Don’t be afraid, Eliza. Stop overthinking it. And above all, don’t doubt yourself. You are who you are. You’re Eliza, Serenity, the Padilla family’s granddaughter, and Caroline Stonor’s daughter. No one can take that away from you–ever.”
Nolan had thought of what Eliza had considered, too.
Having already delved deeply into Eliza’s past, Nolan immediately understood what was troubling her the moment her face turned pale and she seemed lost in despair.
Those caught in the situation tend to be blinded by emotions, but an observer sees with clarity.
When Nolan reached the same conclusion about the potential switch, he thought of something Eliza had not.
“If the switch had worked, do you think Lord Mowbay would still treat you the way he does now?” Nolan said.
His words jolted Eliza awake from the fog of doubt. Her chest tightened as the weight of uncertainty began to lift. ‘He’s right, she thought, her gaze softening as it met his.
Eliza reckoned her dear father treated Sophie with so much affection, partly because Sophie wasn’t of the Padilla family’s bloodline.
If Eliza had really been switched, that man would’ve used it against her every single time she fought over the Padilla family‘ s inheritance. But Winston had never once used that as leverage.
This was proof enough that the switch had never succeeded.
Half of her blood came from the Padilla family, and her mother was Caroline Stonor. There was no doubt about it.
As for why the switch didn’t go through, Eliza figured there were probably two reasons.
One was the difference in gender. And the second… she suspected it might have been because of Mary.
Mary had never sent gifts when her four brothers were born, but when Eliza was born, she suddenly sent one to the Duke’s
estate.
Eliza pondered, ‘Did Mary discover something back then? Was that gift truly just a gift, or was it a warning? Or a threat? Could that have been the reason they had to abandon the plan?‘
Eliza sighed, unable to figure it out for now.
She’d have to wait until she returned to Hasen City and ask Mary directly to uncover the truth.
611.Chapter 611
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I got carried away just now,” Eliza said.
Eliza buried all her doubts and unanswered questions deep in her heart. No matter how much she wanted to know the truth, she would have to wait until the matters in Woteria were resolved.
Seeing her expression finally return to normal, Nolan reluctantly released her slender wrist.
“I’m glad you’re alright now,” he said. “Just remember what I said–no matter what happens, you can always come to me. I’ll always stand by your side.”
His unwavering yet gentle tone left Eliza momentarily speechless, her lips parting lightly in surprise.
She didn’t understand why he kept saying things that were so misleading.
And this wasn’t even the first time. Back in Hasen City, he had said similar things more than once. Just a few days ago in Malone City, he had also said something along the same lines.
Eliza wondered if Nolan did it on purpose.
Her face flushed bright red, the heat spreading all the way to her ears.
Words like that were way too suggestive to say to a normal friend.
‘No, no, maybe I’m just overthinking it. Maybe Prince Nolan didn’t mean anything.
‘After all, he seems like someone who doesn’t have many friends. Maybe he simply doesn’t understand how normal
friendships work.‘ Eliza kept convincing herself of this over and over, trying to make herself believe it.
Meanwhile, Nolan had no idea what she was thinking. If he did, he’d probably ruffle her hair with a mischievous grin and say, “I know perfectly well what’s just friendship and what’s something more!”
Subscribed
