Shining Bright After Rebirth

Chapter 981 Diana Forgave Her

"So that's it," Diana said with a bitter smile. "Loving her comes easy, but I'm the burden. Because I'm the stain on your perfect love story, aren't I?"

Paula's silence spoke volumes.

Diana felt a chill run through her as she watched Paula's face. How had she missed this all along? The signs had been there in Paula's behavior, but someone had carefully steered her away from the truth.

The realization hit her like ice water. There was only one question left: who had tampered with her paternity test?

She'd taken the test in secret, convinced Jeff wasn't her real father. But she'd never imagined someone would go so far as to alter the results.

But both tests had confirmed Jeff as her biological father. Now she wondered if either had been real.

Paula was equally stunned. She stared at Diana and asked, "Diana, you suspected Jeff wasn't your father?"

Diana nodded. "Yes, I did. I was so unsure after the first test that I did another one. I couldn't understand how a father could poison his own daughter. And not just once. Every chance he got, he tried to harm me.

"But both tests said I was his daughter. If you didn't meddle with them, who did?"

Today, Diana hadn't learned a secret from Jenny. Instead, she had learned a secret about herself from her biological mother.

Paula was overwhelmed with guilt. This had been her deepest secret, yet Diana had already doubted her parentage long ago.

Whether Jeff was her biological father or not, it didn't matter. He had never cared for Diana, and he never would.

Paula's resentment toward Jeff grew even deeper.

She thought, "Soon, those people will get what they deserve."

Amelie, who had chased wealth all her life, would end up with nothing.

Diana wasn't surprised by this outcome.

She had planned to investigate these matters later, but Steven's situation had come up.

Now, she was sure Jeff didn't know the truth.

Looking at Diana's calm expression, Paula felt an ache in her chest. Once, she had dreamed of having a daughter.

She had poured all her love into Queenie.

But what happened afterward was completely unexpected.

She realized now that she hadn't truly loved Jeff. She had just gotten used to him being there.

That night of betrayal left her feeling guilty, so she had treated Jeff and his family exceptionally well.noveldrama

But in the end, she was nothing more than a joke. Jeff had only been with her for her wealth.

"Diana, could it be your biological father? Maybe he's nearby, watching over you. Could he be the one hiding the truth about your identity?"

Diana blinked, surprised by the suggestion.

It was possible. If her biological father didn't want to acknowledge her, he might have manipulated the tests to keep her from finding out.

Whoever was behind it was meticulous. Every detail had been perfectly handled.

Diana let out a bitter laugh. She had endured betrayal from family and heartbreak from love. Now, she felt numb, and knowing the truth no longer hurt.

"Honestly, the truth doesn't matter. Even if you tell me my biological father is someone else, I wouldn't care. I've already lost you. Why would I care about a man who's never met me, never raised me?

"I was too greedy before. I shouldn't have longed for your love or expected you to treat me like your daughter. After hearing the truth, I don't blame you. I forgive you. You don't need to keep punishing yourself.

"Most people in your position would have chosen to terminate the pregnancy. They wouldn't have let me come into this world. After all, I was just a stain on your love."

Diana smiled sincerely, "Ms. Barnes, thank you for giving birth to me. Knowing this truth, I can't hate you anymore."

And she didn't. She was genuinely grateful Paula had brought her into the world.

If not, she wouldn't have met her grandfather or her three brothers.

Or Olivia, her best friend.

Paula wept uncontrollably.

Her daughter had forgiven her but didn't want her anymore. It felt no different than being rejected.

As Paula cried, Diana sat there, unsure how to comfort her.

She waited for a while, but Paula continued to cry, heartbroken. Diana still had other matters to attend to.

She felt that Paula shouldn't spend her entire life in self-blame. It was time to look forward.

She rolled her wheelchair closer and held Paula's hand.

Paula froze and looked up, startled. "Diana..."

Diana smiled. "Stop crying. Life moves forward. You've broken free from someone as awful as Jeff. Things will only get better for you. I've moved on already."

"The damage from the past can't be undone. Don't try to make up for it. The wounds won't heal. Just promise me you won't hurt me again. We've caused enough pain for each other. Let's stop here.

"Ms. Barnes, from today on, I won't hate you anymore. You can go."

"Diana." Paula looked at her with red, tear-streaked eyes. She didn't want to give up. She wanted Diana to cal her "Mom." She wanted to pour all her love into her. No matter who Diana's father was, she was still her daughter.

Diana didn't reply. She wheeled herself away.

At the door, a shadow flickered past.

Diana narrowed her eyes, thinking, "Where's Luna? Why isn't she guarding the door?"

Outside, she saw a man running off. From the back, she recognized Edison.

She thought, "That guy! Is he playing spy now?"

Then, a thought crossed her mind, and she smiled. She turned around and looked at Paula's tear-streaked face, saying, "At least this means have nothing to do with Queenie anymore. Being related to her was disgusting."

Paula froze again. Diana's smile was beautiful, radiant, just like a younger Paula.

Paula realized she had completely lost her daughter.

"Diana, I'll be better from now on. As long as I'm alive, I'll try to be a good

mom. That's my gift to you

year, I'll prepare a gift for you. Whether you accept it or not, it will be there. This is my love, nob compensation."

In Paula's mind, it was never too late for a mother's love.

She knew Diana was a soft-hearted girl.

She placed a gift on Diana's lap and said, "Diana, this is my sincerity."

Diana didn't reach for it. She had no reason to hate Paula anymore. She realized now that it had been her own greed that made her long for motherly love.

She felt since that longing was unreasonable, she couldn't fault Paula for her favoritism.

Diana reminded her, "Someone was eavesdropping just now. Queenie and Jeff will probably know about this soon."

Paula shook her head. "I'm not afraid. Thanks to you, I've secured all my assets. Focus on recovering. I'll visit you in a few days."

Paula lingered, reluctant to leave, before finally turning to go.