Who's The Real Daughter

I was the adoptive mother of the true heiress who had been swapped identities with another woman.

In the story, after the true heiress returned to her family, she was falsely accused and ostracized by the fake heiress, eventually being driven out and living a life of hardship.

Upon watching my obedient daughter diligently doing her homework, my heart ached with emotion. I enveloped the true heiress I had raised for sixteen years in a protective embrace.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I will protect you!"

01

After work, I returned with groceries and saw a long line of black luxury cars parked outside my shabby apartment building. I felt a sense of foreboding.

The day had finally come.

A year ago, a vase unexpectedly struck my head, and memories that didn't belong to me flooded my mind.

It turned out I was in a story about swapped heiresses.

The sweet daughter I had painstakingly raised alone wasn't my biological daughter but the true heiress of the wealthiest family.

On the day of her birth, the enemies of her family randomly swapped her with a child from a poor family.

I was the mother whose child was swapped unknowingly.

The fake heiress was the beloved protagonist of the story, while the true heiress was the jealous and malicious supporting character.

In the book, the true heiress was despised by her biological parents, bullied by the fake heiress's cronies at school. When she tried to fight back, she was exposed by the fake heiress, eventually being driven out and living a hard life.

I looked at my daughter doing her homework with a complex expression, my eyes heating up.

How could my cute and obedient daughter end up like that?

I enveloped her in a protective embrace. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I will protect you!"

Emily Marshall, my daughter, looked at me bewilderedly, and twitched the corner of her eye. "Mom, what's wrong with you?"

...

As I approached the luxury cars with Emily, an elegantly dressed couple at the front took two steps forward in surprise.

I glanced at them indifferently and focused on the girl behind them.

Elaine Payne, my biological daughter, was wearing a designer suit and carrying a luxury bag, looking at us with teary eyes.

My expression was complicated. No matter what, she was the daughter I had carried for ten months.

If Elaine treated Emily well and didn't act like she did in the book, that would be the best outcome.

However, that wasn't the case.

Elaine took two steps forward, cautiously tugging at the wealthy lady's sleeve, pouting in grievance.

"Mom, is that my sister? She seems so close to my biological mother, unlike me. You're always so busy, and you hardly have time for me. You won't abandon me after finding my sister, will you? If you love her more, I'll truly have nothing."

Her tears fell unexpectedly as she finished speaking.

The joy in the wealthy couple's eyes at finding their biological daughter faded, replaced by pity for Elaine.

They hurriedly embraced their little princess, softly reassuring her, "Of course not, you're also our daughter. Your status won't change, and we'll pamper you for life!"

I pulled my bewildered daughter closer, watching this seemingly harmonious scene with a cold detachment, finding it quite amusing.

They seemed to have already decided both daughters were theirs, and my opinion didn't matter.

This was understandable. After all, one family was the wealthiest, and the other was a single mother renting an apartment. Anyone would know which family to choose.

I didn't mind giving them Emily if it meant her future would be better, but only if they truly treated her well.

I spoke up at the right moment, "What are you doing blocking my door?"

02

Emily and I sat on one side of the sofa, while the wealthy couple and Elaine sat on the other.

"In short, that's the situation. Our families accidentally swapped the children at the hospital," Kenneth Payne, Emily's biological father, stated with a pained expression, while Isabella Payne, Emily's biological mother, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

"What a twist of fate!"

Emily's eyes widened in disbelief, and she woodenly patted my shoulder. "Mom, did you hear that? I'm actually the daughter of the wealthiest family. Your girl has made it!"

I removed her hand from my shoulder. "Your mom isn't deaf; I can hear."

Isabella hugged Emily, crying out loud, "Dear, you've suffered all these years. Come home with us, and we'll make it up to you!"

Elaine pinched herself hard, tears streaming down her face instantly. "Emily, I'm sorry. It's all my fault for occupying your place as the heiress all these years! I really can't face you. I won't fight you for the position of Payne family heiress. I don't want anything, just to stay by Mom and Dad's side!"

What a perfect act. Elaine made it sound like Emily wouldn't let her stay in the Payne family.

Isabella quickly released Emily and turned to hug Elaine, gently soothing her, repeatedly emphasizing that she would always be their daughter.

Emily seemed bewildered, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

I let out a dry laugh. Although Elaine was my biological daughter, she couldn't bully Emily.

Over the past year, I had studied various swapped heiress stories on different platforms, preparing strategies for this moment.

Suddenly, I erupted into a heartrending wail, pulling Elaine into my arms.

"Dear, so you're my biological daughter. You really look like me! Luckily, the one who swapped you was the wealthiest family. Look at this luxury bag you're carrying; it's worth two years of our living expenses. Look at your suit; all of Emily's clothes combined aren't as expensive as one of yours! Emily has suffered enough with me. I owe her, but at least you've lived well, raised so delicately!"

Kenneth and Isabella's expressions changed, their attention returning to Emily. Seeing her clothes with visible mends, their eyes reddened with guilt.

Elaine, in my arms, turned pale, struggling to break free, trying to do something to regain attention, but I held her tightly.

"To be honest, I'm not a competent mother. Emily has never worn new clothes or eaten much meat. Now that she's returning to your family, you can make up for all the grievances she's suffered. I'm entrusting Emily to you; you must treat her well."

Kenneth and Isabella, moved by my emotions, looked at Emily with tears in their eyes, filled with affection.

Emily looked at me in shock, utterly surprised.

Our family wasn't rich, but we weren't so poor that she had no new clothes. The clothes with visible mends she wore were ones I forced her to wear these days to gain sympathy from Kenneth and Isabella.

"Mrs. Marshall, thank you for taking care of our daughter all these years. We'll take her with us today, and she'll come back to visit you."

After speaking, Kenneth and Isabella prepared to leave with Emily and Elaine. I quickly stood up, grabbing Elaine's hand.

"It's fine. Thank you for taking care of Elaine all these years. I'll make sure she visits you too."

The couple and Elaine's expressions froze.

I looked innocent. "You're taking your biological daughter, and I'm keeping mine. Isn't that right?"

03

Isabella looked awkward. "The Payne family has the best resources. The children will develop better with us."

I feigned a look of sudden realization. "Oh, so the Payne family wants both daughters!"

Emily wanted to say something, but I stopped her with a stern look.

Emily wanted to stay, but Isabella was right. The Payne family had the best resources, and I couldn't let Emily miss this opportunity.

Parents loved their children and planned for their future.

Emily had to go to the Payne family, and I needed to provide her with the strongest support.

I forced a few tears to fall.

"Mrs. Payne, you've experienced the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth. Can you bear to let both my children leave? I know I'm not wealthy, but my love for them isn't any less than yours!"

A hint of guilt flashed in Isabella's eyes. "We'll give you five million dollars as compensation and allow you to visit the Payne family anytime."

I looked insulted, but secretly, I smiled.

Money was exactly what I wanted.

If Emily wasn't doing well with the Payne family, I could take her back at any time. This money was her safety net in case things didn't work out with the Payne family.

"Mrs. Payne, I've never spent a day with my biological daughter. Let her stay with me for a week so I can get to know her, and then I'll send her back to you."

Isabella hesitated for a moment, and I seized the opportunity.

"It's just one week. Surely you can understand the importance of this?"

Isabella wavered, about to agree, when Elaine's face turned pale.

Elaine had no desire to live with her poor mother for a week. This week was crucial for her.

In the story, when Emily first returned to the Payne family, Elaine openly and subtly criticized her for being uncultured and an outsider, making Emily feel like she didn't belong.

Emily was less refined and elegant in contrast to Elaine. Kenneth and Isabella had their reservations about Emily, which laid the groundwork for her future exclusion.

So I wouldn't let the events of the story repeat themselves. Elaine must leave the Payne family for a few days so Emily could bond with her parents.

Seeing Elaine about to refuse, I quickly interjected.

"Elaine, I know I'm poor and not as capable as Emily's wealthy biological parents. It's only natural for you to look down on me. I'm not asking you to stay with me, just to spend a week with me. Is that too much to ask?"

I looked at Elaine with teary eyes, my heart aching.

With Kenneth and Isabella present, Elaine couldn't outright reject me. She didn't want to ruin her image as a dutiful daughter in their eyes.

After all, she needed to maintain her innocent and sensible persona to win their favor.

Elaine's face stiffened, and she forced a smile. "What are you saying? How could I ever look down on you? It's just..."

I didn't let her finish, excitedly saying, "Great! I knew you'd agree. Why don't you just stay? Have someone bring your things over, and I'll show you your room right now."

With that, I firmly grabbed Elaine's arm and pulled her inside. "Mr. and Mrs. Payne, don't worry. I'll take good care of Elaine!"

04

My bank account suddenly had an extra ten million dollars, transferred by Kenneth and Isabella.

They sent me a message, mostly reminding me to take good care of Elaine, and briefly mentioned changing Emily's last name.

I agreed.

It was just a surname. If it could make Emily's future better, then why not?

Elaine looked displeased but had no choice. She angrily settled into the guest room I had prepared for her.

As I passed by her room, I could faintly hear her crying on the phone, complaining to Kenneth and Isabella.

"Mom, you have no idea what I ate tonight. She doesn't treat me well at all. There wasn't a single piece of meat! I know you gave her a lot of money, but she doesn't spend any on me! You two are the best. When are you planning to bring me back home?"

Elaine's voice was soft and full of grievance, making her sound pitiful.

If I hadn't sent Kenneth and Isabella photos of our dinner, they might have taken Elaine back immediately.

During dinner, I had taken pictures of the lavish meal, complete with lobster and crab, and sent them along with a photo of Elaine enjoying her food.

"Thank you for the money, Mr. and Mrs. Payne. This is the first time our family has had such a sumptuous dinner in years. Emily has never had seafood while living with me. Seeing Elaine enjoy her meal so much makes me feel content. Now both my daughters can have a good life!"

There was a brief silence on the other end. Kenneth and Isabella hadn't expected their usually well-behaved daughter to slander her biological mother.

But realizing it was just a child's ploy for attention, they didn't expose Elaine, only responding with a slight chill.

"Stay with Mrs. Marshall for a week and spend more time with her. It's not easy for a single mother. We'll bring you back in a week."

No matter what Elaine said, Kenneth and Isabella didn't agree to take her back immediately.

I returned to my room, feeling a sense of satisfaction about my foresight.

Just then, I received a call from Emily.

"Mom, the Payne family is really luxurious and big, and my parents treat me well, but I still want to come home. Mom, have you replaced me with your new daughter?"

I sensed the sadness in her voice and patiently reassured her, "Emily, how could you think that? You'll always be my precious little darling. I want you to stay with the Payne family because I know they have better resources. As the Payne family's daughter, your future will be much smoother. I want you to have more choices and not have to struggle so much."

I knew all too well how exhausting it was to have no money and no connections.

As a single mother with a daughter, I had faced a lot of bullying in the workplace. All the dirty and tiring work was given to me, and my boss treated me like a beast of burden.

They knew I couldn't afford to quit because I had my daughter to support.

"Then why are you keeping Elaine?"

Emily's tone had a hint of jealousy.

"I'm keeping Elaine so you can build a good relationship with your parents. Emily, this is a crucial opportunity to change your fate. You must seize it."

With that, I sent her a compressed file of the stores about the swapped heiresses that I had saved for a long time.

05

The next morning, the Payne family's driver came to pick up Elaine for school.

Emily came along too, as Kenneth and Isabella had transferred her to the same prestigious international school as Elaine.

Elaine carried herself with the grace of a swan and gracefully sat in the back of the Rolls-Royce.

Just as the driver was about to close the door, I stopped him and squeezed in.

Elaine was startled and impatiently shouted, "What are you doing?"

I blinked innocently. "It's Emily's first day at school. I'm worried and want to go with her."

Elaine's expression changed, and she forced a smile. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of Emily. You have work to do, so you shouldn't come."

"It's fine. I quit my job. Now that I have money, I want to start my own business."

I smirked inwardly. I wouldn't give Elaine the chance to harm Emily.

In the story, Elaine spread rumors that Emily was an illegitimate child to maintain her status as the only daughter of the Payne family.

In this international school, where all the students were from wealthy families, the last thing they wanted was an illegitimate child.

With Elaine's instigation, Emily was bullied at school, locked in the bathroom, slapped, and forced to drink toilet water, causing her grades to plummet.

So, no matter how much Elaine tried to persuade me, I refused to get out of the car.

I wanted to give Emily a fair chance.

At school, Elaine and Emily got out of the car together, surrounded by curious classmates.

A classmate who was on good terms with Elaine approached and pointed at Emily, asking, "Elaine, who is she?"

Elaine pretended to be hesitant, biting her lip. "She's... She's my... my sister, Emily."

Her classmate's eyes widened in surprise.

"Your sister? Since when did the Payne family have another daughter?"

Elaine feigned difficulty, lightly biting her lip, her eyes evasive.

"She's just... my sister! She was suddenly recognized yesterday. Please don't ask."

Tears glistened in Elaine's eyes, and in an instant, the surrounding students looked at Emily differently.

Her ambiguous words hinted at Emily being an illegitimate daughter.

I frowned and suddenly stepped forward, grabbing the hand of Elaine's classmate, exclaiming in surprise.

"Are you Elaine's good friend? Thank you for taking care of my Elaine!"

Elaine's classmate, unsure of the situation, awkwardly greeted me.

Elaine seemed to realize what I was about to say and tried to pull me away, but I had already opened my mouth.