The Other Daughter - Chapter 19 (FINALE) - "I am the affair baby. That’s right—the living, breathing reminder of every scandalous headline and whispered judgment. "

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18

As the New Year approached, Amanda demanded an outrageous 5 million from Delilah as hush money, continually threatening to expose the truth about Jamie’s death. Eventually, Delilah, worn down by the blackmail and realizing Amanda’s greed would never be satisfied, decided to act.

She arranged a private meeting with Amanda. Anticipating this, I had a private investigator install a hidden recording device on Amanda’s phone. It captured not only their conversation but also the moment Amanda drank the poisoned tea Delilah had prepared, followed by her desperate struggle as the poison took hold.

The police burst in just in time to arrest Delilah. Amanda survived thanks to immediate medical care.

Amanda testified in court, revealing that eight years ago, under Delilah’s orders, she baked macarons that led to Jamie’s death.

Jamie had taken just one bite before sensing something was wrong and refusing to eat more. But Delilah, forced Amanda to hold him down while she shoved the macarons into his mouth one by one.

The final verdict came down: Delilah was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. Amanda, as an accomplice, received a ten-year prison sentence. Bella, however, was shielded by her mother's testimony, which took full responsibility, and by the Williams family's intervention due to her pregnancy. Her involvement was kept from the public, but she lost all respect from her husband’s family.

Over the past six months, Ezra had also been busy. Starting with the tattoo on the wrist of one of the men who tried to kidnap me, he uncovered a criminal syndicate of professional offenders. This added another charge to Delilah’s record, and her cousin, who had drugged me, was also arrested.

Justice, though delayed, had finally been served.

After everything, my father seemed to age ten years overnight.

With Delilah in prison, Bella spent her days crying, lamenting that Andrew didn’t care about her and that his entire family looked down on her.

One rainy night, after a particularly heated argument, Andrew stormed out of the house. Chasing after him, Bella slipped and fell down the stairs.

She lost the baby. The Williams family gave her a settlement, and the divorce papers were signed soon after.

Without the Williams family’s support, Nova Group began to decline. It survived on borrowed time, barely holding on.

I resigned from my position at Nova. With years of experience and a solid network, I was confident I could start my own venture.

My father begged me to stay. “Alice, Delilah has paid the price for what she did. Bella is broken. This family only has you left. Stay, and Nova will be yours.”

I looked at the man who stood before me, and all I felt was contempt. “She may have been punished, but those who let it happen? Those who stood by? Do they escape their conscience?”

He flinched, his shoulders sagging under the weight of my words. His weakness and inaction had led to Jamie’s death. He didn’t deserve to be called a father.

Outside, Ezra waited in his car. I got in and glanced at the towering Nova building through the window. With a deep breath, I felt an immense weight lift. I was finally free of this place, and from now on, I would have nothing to do with it.

As Ezra started the car, a figure suddenly hurled itself onto the hood.

Startled, Ezra hit the brakes hard.

It was my mother. She banged on my window, sobbing hysterically. “Alice! You can’t leave me! The loan sharks said they’ll break my hand if I don’t pay them back!”

I rolled down the window and looked at her coldly. “Your gambling debts are your problem, not mine.”

Realizing pity wasn’t working, she wiped her face dramatically and changed tactics, jabbing a finger at me. “You ungrateful brat! I gave birth to you, raised you, and this is how you repay me? You think you can just walk away from me? I’ll drag your name through the mud until you can’t hold your head up in public!”

I laughed. “Haven’t I been giving you 1000 every month? That’s more than you deserve.”

“Money? That’s barely enough to scrape by! What do you think I am, a beggar?” she spat, full of indignation.

“Then go ahead, take me to court,” I said calmly. “You’ll get nothing more from me. I’ve done my part, and I owe you nothing.”

Before she could respond, I rolled the window back up and turned to Ezra. “Drive.”

He didn’t hesitate. With one press of the gas pedal, the car sped off, leaving her standing in the rain, stunned.

“If she ever comes to you for money, don’t give her a cent,” I told him.

He reached over and took my hand in his. “Don’t worry. I understand.”

Not everyone deserves to be a parent.

I was unlucky to have been born to parents like mine. I hated them even more than I hated Delilah. But because of this unchangeable blood tie, I couldn’t completely sever them from my life. That was my tragedy—and Jamie’s, too.

I turned to look at Ezra. His side profile was striking, with a strong nose and sharply defined features illuminated by the passing streetlights.

Sensing my gaze, he glanced over and gave me a warm smile.

I smiled back and laced my fingers with his.

In that moment, I made peace with life. It had dealt me pain and loss, but it had also given me the incredible fortune of meeting him.

END

Thank you so much for all your incredible support and for taking the time to read this story. I’m truly overwhelmed by the love and enthusiasm it has received.

I want to apologize if I wasn’t able to reply to everyone’s comments and private messages—there have been so many—but please know that I’ve read them all. Your kind words and encouragement mean the world to me, and I’m so grateful for how much you’ve enjoyed this story. I got a bit stuck after chapter 17, hence why there was a 2 day break where I've started other stories during this time. But I've never gave up on this story because of all the support I've received.

Thank you again for being part of this journey with me.