Chapter 12

Andrew and Susan usually doted on Celeste.

Whenever Celeste was even a little unhappy, they would comfort her, and Andrew rarely lost his temper.

At home, Celeste was treated like a princess.

Her brothers, her parents, everyone adored her.

But everything changed when Alexandra arrived.

Andrew and Susan's affection shifted to Alexandra, and Celeste felt ignored, even scolded.

Celeste couldn't handle it. She had just sat down when she slammed the table and stood up.

"Mom, Dad, what's going on? Who is she?"

"I don't believe Alexandra is my sister. Haven't you always said I was your only daughter? What's happening?"

"Why did your attitude towards me change so drastically the moment Alexandra showed up?"

"I grew up as your daughter. Why are you treating me like this?"

Tears streamed down Celeste's face as she spoke, looking utterly heartbroken.

Susan sighed, looking at Celeste.

"Celeste, please sit down and listen to me."

But Celeste was too upset to sit calmly.

"Just tell me why!"

Celeste's temper flared, and she yelled at Susan.

This behavior naturally angered Andrew. "Enough! Celeste, what kind of attitude is that?"

Andrew rarely got angry, but when he did, the whole house was on edge.

Celeste was no different. Seeing Andrew so stern, she reluctantly sat down, even though she was still deeply upset.

"Celeste, I know you're hurting and don't understand why we're doing this. Let me explain."

Susan turned to Alexandra, taking her hand before speaking slowly.

"Eighteen years ago, we went on a mountain vacation. I was close to my due date, but a snowstorm trapped us there."

"When the snow melted, I had less than three days until my due date. We tried to drive back, but the roads were treacherous, and we got stuck in a small town."

"Unexpectedly, I went into labor. We had no choice but to go to the town's hospital."

"There were three women in labor at the hospital. After I gave birth, a fire broke out, causing chaos."

"Every couple tried to save their baby, but in the confusion, we took the wrong child."

"The hospital used identical blankets for the babies, and the fire burned the labels on the beds. We mistakenly thought Celeste was Alexandra."

"So, Alexandra is our biological daughter, and Celeste, you..."

Susan couldn't continue. Celeste's face turned pale.

Tears welled up in Celeste's eyes as she stared at them in disbelief.

"No, this can't be true."

Celeste had lived a life of luxury, cherished by the Windsor family. She couldn't accept that she wasn't their biological daughter.

"Celeste, I know this is a huge shock, but we did a DNA test with Alexandra's hair and yours," Andrew said, frowning.

"The results showed that we are biologically related to Alexandra, but not to you."

Celeste stood up abruptly, shaking her head in denial. "No, no, this can't be happening. Why am I the one who doesn't belong?"

"Celeste, please calm down," Susan said, looking at her with a pained expression. They had truly loved her.

"Where are my biological parents?" Celeste's tears fell uncontrollably, like a broken string of pearls.

Andrew sighed. "When we found out about the mix-up, we immediately searched for your parents. Unfortunately, your father died in the fire, and your mother passed away a few years ago."

"What?" Celeste's eyes widened. "So not only am I not your biological daughter, but my real parents are also dead? I'm an orphan?"

The sudden revelation was too much for Celeste to bear. Susan quickly got up and hugged her.

"Celeste, don't worry. We've raised you for years and can't bear to lose you. Even though Alexandra is back, we can still take care of you. Our family has the means to support both of you."

"Since your biological parents are gone, Andrew and I have decided that you will remain a Windsor. However, Alexandra was born a few days before you, so the order will change. I hope you don't mind."

Compared to the Smith family's approach, Andrew and Susan were being very considerate. Even though they brought Alexandra back, they never intended to abandon Celeste. They reassured Celeste to stay with the Windsor family.

Alexandra lowered her head, feeling a mix of emotions. Andrew noticed and was naturally concerned.

"Alexandra, if you mind Celeste's presence, we can send her abroad for a while."

"I don't mind," Alexandra said, lifting her head. "You've raised Celeste for eighteen years. Even without a blood connection, you are still her parents. I won't mind."

Andrew sighed in relief. If they had to choose, they would undoubtedly choose their biological daughter, Alexandra. They had already wronged Alexandra for many years and couldn't disregard her feelings for Celeste.

But their words also deeply hurt Celeste. She felt incredibly pained but couldn't say anything. She understood that without a blood connection, the fact that they were willing to keep her was already a great kindness. Even if they decided not to care for her anymore, it wouldn't be unreasonable.