Chapter 37
Chapter 37 Their True Granddaughter
“Grandpa, how can you say that about me? If you keep teasing. I won’t bring you any next time, Naomi said with mock offense.
Ryan looked at her playful expression and let out a hearty laugh.
Just then, his wife Lena Hamilton came downstairs. Hearing their lively chatter, she smiled warmly. “1 could hear the two of you all the way from upstairs p>
“Grandma, you look even more radiant than last time,” Naomi said sweetly, walking over to her.
“Really? I have been feeling quite well lately,” Lena replied, clearly pleased by the compliment.
Once both elders were present, Jonathan spoke up to make the introduction. “Mom, Dad–take a look. Do you know who this is p>
Hearing his words, Ryan and Lena turned their attention to Arabella.
“This young lady looks so much like Florence,” Lena remarked with a hint of wonder.
Ryan nodded in agreement. “She does, doesn’t she p>
When they had first entered, Ryan had been so engaged with Naomi that he’d vaguely assumed Arabella was an assistant or a friend tagging along. Only now did he look at her properly–and his expression shifted to one of surprise.
“ Jonathan, who is this?” Ryan asked curiously.
Jonathan answered formally, a broad smile spreading across his face, “This is Arabella. She’s Florence’s and my daughter p>
There was unmistakable pride in his tone.
Hearing this, both Ryan and Lena looked thoroughly confused.
When did they have another daughter? How could they, her grandparents, not know?
“Your daughter?! What is going on here?” Ryan asked, his face filled with confusion.
Seeing Ryan’s stunned expressions, Florence quickly stepped in to explain. “Yes, the Macdonalds found out just recently that there’d been a hospital mix–up years ago. The authorities retrieved the old records and conducted DNA tests. It turned out three infants were accidentally swapped. Arabella is our biological child. They contacted us, and that’s how we learned the truth p>
“A mix–up at the hospital?!” Ryan’s voice was filled with disbelief.
Naomi was already grown–and now they were being told the babies had been switched at birth?
It sounded too incredible to believe.
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Chapter 37 Their True Granddaughter
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Florence, noticing how shocked they were, reached over and gently took Arabella’s hand. “Arabella grew up with the Macdonalds all these years and went through a lot. We only brought her home a few days ago
Jonathan added at just the right moment, “We came today because we realized you hadn’t been told yet. We wanted to bring your actual granddaughter to meet you?
As Jonathan and Florence shared the story, their focus remained fully on Arabella–for the moment, Naomi’s feelings seemed to slip from their attention.
Only moments earlier, Naomi had been the center of her grandparents‘ affection. Now, it was as though she had faded into the background. Everyone’s eyes were on Arabella, and Naomi couldn’t help but feel her own gaze grow dim.
An unexplainable ache settled in her chest
It took Ryan and Lena a while to process everything, but gradually their shock softened into. understanding. “So that’s what happened p>
It made sense now why friends and relatives had sometimes remarked, when Naomi was young, that she didn’t resemble Jonathan or Florence much.
of her parents‘
Even they themselves had occasionally wondered why Naomi hadn’t inherited more of! striking features.
Now they knew–Naomi wasn’t their biological granddaughter.
Their eyes turned back to Arabella, now gleaming with emotion.
Lena even took Arabella’s hands in hers, studying her face fondly. “She looks so much like both of you! Those bright eyes–they’re exactly like Florence’s! This is truly a Hamilton p>
Lena spoke joyfully, unaware that her words felt to Naomi like a public verdict–a confirmation that she never truly belonged.
Naomi had always known some in the family quietly said she didn’t closely resemble her parents or brothers. She was pretty in her own way, but her features weren’t as finely defined as theirs.
Arabella’s face, though–it mirrored Florence’s delicacy and warmth.
In that moment. Naomi felt more like an outsider than ever.
The ache in her heart grew sharper. She clenched her hands quietly, holding back a swell of sadness.
Ryan, too, was now nodding warmly. “Yes, and the shape of her brows–just like Jonathan’s. She’s a Hamilton through and through.
“Who would have thought our family would have such a graceful, lovely granddaughter? Wonderful… just wonderful. Jonathan, now that your daughter is home, you have both a son and a daughter. Your family is complete p>
Ryan looked at Arabella with deep satisfaction, his praise flowing freely.
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Chapter 37 Their True Granddaughter
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Although Naomi was lovely and poised–more so than many daughters of other wealthy families in the city–Ryan had always quietly felt the Hamilton family was missing a granddaughter who carried Florence’s beauty and grace. With Arabella’s arrival, that quiet regret seemed to melt away.
Naomi watched as her grandparents, who had doted on her only minutes before, now surrounded Arabella, admiring her and speaking with such happiness. A sharp sting spread through her heart,
She had always believed they loved her deeply.
So why did it seem, now, that they liked Arabella even more?
All at once, the pastry in her hand lost its flavor, and her appetite completely vanished.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.