Chapter 490 Clearing Up
Gabriel took the kids to the restroom, leaving Sophia alone.
Chloe and Ella walked over.
"Sophie, I need to talk to you. Let's go over there," Chloe said, pointing to a quiet spot nearby.
Sophia looked indifferent. "Just say it here."
Ella glanced around. No one was close enough to hear. She gave Chloe a nod.
Chloe got the hint.
"Sophie, ever wonder how Patricia became the Blackwood family's granddaughter?" Chloe asked.
Sophia raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.
Chloe sighed. "Patricia isn't Ella's daughter; she's my younger daughter's kid."
Sophia remembered hearing about an aunt from Susan when she was young.
Chloe continued, "Your aunt wasn't my biological daughter. She died young, leaving Patricia. I had Logan adopt her. Patricia had no parents, while you had loving ones. So, I favored her more. If you blame me, fine. After your accident, I realized how much I wronged you and your mom. Now that Patricia's with the Blackwoods, you'll be the Brown family's only heir. I know you're mad. It's okay if you don't want to acknowledge the Browns."
Chloe sighed again. "As long as you're okay, that's what matters."
Sophia stayed silent, looking down.
Ella patted Chloe's back, watching Sophia's reaction.
Ella added, "When your grandma had your mom, she actually had twins. Your real aunt died shortly after birth. Your grandma was devastated. Later, your grandpa adopted a girl the same age as your mom, who became Patricia's mom. Your grandma treated her like her own. But after Patricia was born, her mom died saving your mom. Your grandma was heartbroken and misunderstood, which made her harsh on your mom."
Sophia thought, 'So Patricia is my aunt's daughter, and my aunt was the lost daughter of the Blackwood family's Celeste.'
It made sense, but something still felt off.
Another doubt in Sophia's mind was finally answered.
'No wonder Mom always looks guilty around Grandma. No wonder she tells me to give in to Patricia. No wonder she says she owes the Browns when I ask why Grandma treats her poorly but still goes back to the Brown Mansion. Because my aunt died saving my mom, she felt she had to bear the responsibility for two people.' Thinking this, Sophia's heart ached.
She felt sorry for her mom.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Sophia asked, trying to stay calm.
"If Patricia hadn't been found by the Blackwood family, she'd still be a Brown. We wouldn't have mentioned any of this. But now that she's with the Blackwoods, we have nothing to hide. We heard you're now Jennifer's daughter in name. That's good. With the Blackwood family backing you, we're relieved. If you don't want to acknowledge us, that's fine. We won't mention your connection to the Browns publicly," Ella said, acting like she was giving Sophia a choice. "In the Blackwood family, you and Patricia can still be sisters. Patricia is no longer a Brown."
Chloe chimed in, "If you ever feel like it, come visit me. If not, just live well with Gabriel."
Sophia remained unmoved. It wasn't that she was heartless; the Brown family's past actions had left a deep scar.
Chloe and Ella's long speech boiled down to one thing: Patricia's success benefits the Browns, and they don't want Sophia to take advantage. They wanted it to seem like Sophia was the one cutting ties, not them.
Honestly, Sophia felt disdain. She disliked the Brown family's attitude. She had already severed ties with them long ago. It was the Browns who kept trying to mend the relationship, and now they were eager to distance themselves, fearing she might take advantage.
Gabriel returned with the kids and saw Chloe.
"Gabriel," Chloe smiled warmly.
Gabriel nodded slightly at Chloe but ignored Ella. He knew about Sophia's fallout with the Browns. They had tried to force Sophia to marry an old man. When Ruth found out, she pushed Gabriel to marry Sophia quickly, forcing him to agree.
Although he didn't like Sophia at the time, he despised the Browns' behavior even more.
Chloe noticed the kids and put on a kind expression. "Good children, what are your names?"
The kids stood in a row. They had seen Chloe and Ella seemingly bullying Sophia before. Respecting their elders, they hid behind Gabriel, not wanting to talk to those who seemed to bully their mom.
Chloe's smile froze, and Ella, who had seen them at Sophia's parents' grave, internally mocked Sophia for not teaching her kids well, thinking they looked like they had never seen the world.
"Mom, it seems Patricia is calling us. Let's go," Ella reminded.
They had said everything they needed to. If Sophia tried to cling to them in the future, they couldn't be blamed for being heartless. As long as they didn't acknowledge Sophia's connection to the Browns and erased some traces, the Blackwood family wouldn't easily find out.
'If Sophia dares...' Ella's eyes flashed with malice as she helped Chloe.
As soon as they left, the kids surrounded Sophia.
"Mommy, don't be afraid. We'll protect you," Ethan said, clenching his little fists, looking both cute and fierce.
Emma and Sam nodded in agreement.
Gabriel asked with concern, "What did they say to you?"
From a distance, he had only seen Sophia with her head down, seemingly sad. He hadn't heard what Chloe and Ella had said.
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