Supporting Her Path to Healing

1

I was the beloved supporting character in a novel in which two families took back their daughters by mistake.

My main task was tormenting the heroine, Kimberly Rowe. She was the real daughter of the Rowe family.

Everyone idolized me in the beginning. No matter what I did, I was always right. Even if I made a mistake, they would defend me with excuses they made up.

Even the male lead, Jake Ellis, was like that in the beginning.

After Kimberly was driven to depression and jumped off a building, they woke up and turned against me.

So I decided to stand up for Kimberly on my first day after crossing into this world of the novel.

So I guessed that Kimberly could not have depression.

...

The day I took leave from the cast and returned home, Kimberly was at home too.

She sat on the sofa nervously. She was clutching the hem of her coat with both hands. She looked uneasy about the unfamiliar environment.

But her eyes still sparkled.

"She must be envisioning her future life," I thought.

My mother, Erin Rowe, was holding a newly bought dress against her.

My father, Hilton Rowe, was reading the newspaper nearby.

Kimberly was the first to notice me. She looked up and saw me. She was a bit nervous, with hidden envy and anticipation. She timidly called me. "Vanessa."

I smiled and nodded at her, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing her voice, Erin immediately tossed the dress aside. Even Hilton looked up from his newspaper and asked me with a smile how things were going on the cast.

After I answered each of their questions, Erin brought over her newly designed dress. "Vanessa, try it and see if it fits. I designed this dress especially for you."

Erin was a fashion designer. My dresses were usually designed by her. Sometimes she designed casual wear for me, too. She said that her proudest moments were when I stood on stage to accept awards wearing her design work.

I was about to praise Erin as usual when I caught a glimpse of Kimberly's dimming eyes. I suddenly had a bad feeling.

So I changed my tune. "This dress must look great on my Kimberly."

The moment I finished my words, both Erin and Hilton were stunned.

The most surprised one was Kimberly. She stared at me in disbelief.

But it made sense. The Rowe family members were all tall. Even Kimberly, who looked a bit malnourished, was as tall as I was. I'd been raised in the Rowe family for nineteen years, but I was still slightly shorter than Kimberly.

I gave Erin an apologetic smile, handed the dress to Kimberly, and said gently, "Do you like it? Consider it a gift from me."

Kimberly was pleasantly surprised. She said in a low voice, "Thank you." Then she carefully accepted the dress. She clearly loved it so much.

Seeing this, I was relieved.

The novel was written from Kimberly's perspective as the heroine.

She was the real daughter of the Rowe family who had been mistakenly swapped at birth, while I was the impostor who took her place.

Because Erin was injured during Kimberly's birth and couldn't give birth to another child, I became the apple of their eye.

I was practically a dominant figure in high society.

Erin and Hilton adored me, and even after they learned the truth, I remained the same in the Rowe family.

The condition for Kimberly's return was that the Dominguez family relinquished their custody of me.

Kimberly grew up in a poor village. When she was fifteen, the family forced her to make money to help her brothers get married.

Though she appeared malnourished, she was pretty. That was why she was quickly spotted and signed by a small entertainment company.

Her full name was Isabel Dominguez.

2

After dinner, I was about to go to my room to read the script when Erin stopped me. "Vanessa, are you upset that I brought Isabel back?"

I was stunned. "Why would I be?"

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Then why did you give away the dress I designed for you? You used to love wearing the dresses I designed. Or did someone in the cast bully you over this matter?"

I was amused and realized I had been impulsive. I had to hug Erin's arm and act coy. "Of course not. I still love the dresses you design. But Kimberly doesn't have any, and since we're about the same size, why not let her have one?"

Erin still seemed uneasy and cautiously asked, "Are you uncomfortable with Isabel here? Should I consider sending her to the old house?"

I suddenly understood why Erin thought that way.

After all, I was spoiled and arrogant. I wouldn't have treated Kimberly kindly. Instead, I would have secretly asked others to ostracize her. My followers would have tormented her just to please me.

My behavior now was so unusual that Erin thought I was unhappy.

Before I could figure out what to say, Erin held my hand and said, "Vanessa, you were raised by us, and you have been my daughter for over a decade. Don't worry about anything. You're the only daughter in my mind. You're still the daughter of the Rowe family, and we love you as deeply as before. If you're unhappy, we can let Isabel study abroad."

I sighed.

From Kimberly's perspective, it was truly tragic.

In her adoptive family, she was overlooked and had to earn money for her brothers when she was so young.

After she returned to her real parents' home, she was ignored, too, and everyone in the whole family was focused on me.

It was a miracle that she didn't become depressed.

But Erin was extremely nice to me.

Erin even neglected her real daughter and constantly provided me with a sense of security. Of course, I was close to Erin.

I wrapped my arms around Erin's neck. "Anyway, you and Dad are my only parents. I love you both the most."

Erin hugged me with teary eyes. "You're such a good girl, Vanessa."

I said, "And I really like my sister too. Mom, can we give her a new name? Isabel doesn't sound nice. How about Kimberly?"

Erin said, "Whatever you say is good."

I said, "Then can you spend some time with Kimberly this evening? I'm sure she misses you, too."

Erin wiped away her tears and affectionately stroked my hair. "Vanessa, you've grown up."

I smiled and gently nudged her. "Erin, come and spend time with me a few days later."

Erin seemed relieved. Her steps became light as she headed to Kimberly's room.

The novel's ending wasn't good. After Kimberly killed herself, Jake realized his mistakes and sought revenge for her. He attacked the Rowe family in the business. Meanwhile, I gained a lot of negative comments in the entertainment circle for no reason. Many people ridiculed me online for pretending to be a member of the Rowe family, but I was innately poor.

The stock price of the Rowe Group plummeted, and the family went bankrupt. Hilton had a car accident, and Erin committed suicide.

Though it seemed a bit unrealistic, I still believed that a good one would have a happy ending.

If Kimberly hadn't been bullied, how could she have become depressed?

So the real reason was that we didn't do well enough.

I sighed and knocked on the door to Hilton's room. "Dad, could you ask the Ellis family to sign Kimberly to their company?"

The Rowe family hadn't ventured into the entertainment industry, but the Ellis family had. It was Jake's family.

I'd always wanted to be a superstar, so Hilton pulled some strings and got me into the entertainment company run by the Ellis family.

Everyone in the company and even online knew my identity, and Jake occasionally visited me. No one dared offend me in the company, and I had the best resources. Many people were eager to curry favor with me.

In the original version of the novel, I brought Kimberly into the same company to have her bullied and humiliated.

She began her career in the entertainment industry two years ago, but she didn't achieve much success. She was still a trainee, bullied, and mocked online due to my schemes.

But now, she would be better if I could protect her.

If she were not depressed, Jake wouldn't turn against me.

3

The next day, I had Kimberly brought to the company.

Hilton had already talked to the Ellis family, so Kimberly signed the contract there smoothly.

I didn't send her there myself because I had to go abroad to receive an award, so I had my assistant take her there.

I thought it would show others that Kimberly had high status in the Rowe family, but I overestimated them.

As soon as I got off the plane, my agent finally managed to get me out of the fans surrounding me. In the car, she discussed my schedule and asked if I wanted to take on endorsements.

I shook my head. "I'm not done filming yet, so no endorsements for me."

The agent had no objections. She continued, "The last drama was a hit, and the male lead wants to generate publicity with you as a couple."

I pondered for a moment. That actor didn't have much focus in the original novel. But I would become a real couple with him, and he would be embroiled in a scandal soon. I would be affected badly.

"Turn him down for me." After thinking for a moment, I added, "It's best to keep my distance from him in every way."

The agent was momentarily stunned but quickly agreed.

She then asked, "You'll be returning to the cast in a few days. Do you want to go back to the company or head to the Rowe family's house?"

I had planned to go home, but my agent reminded me that Kimberly might still be at the company.

I decided to pick her up and go home with her so that she wouldn't overthink.

I said, "We are going to the company."

...

It was lunchtime when I arrived at the company, and many people congratulated me on winning another award.

After exchanging pleasantries, I managed to find Kimberly.

Most of the trainees had lunch in the cafeteria.

When I went there, only Kimberly was there.

She was sitting alone and having lunch slowly. No one else stayed with her.

It was odd. Given her status, other people must be eager to befriend her.

I was puzzled and sat directly across from Kimberly.

She looked up slowly. Upon seeing me, she seemed pleasantly surprised. "Vanessa."

I asked, "Why didn't you go home for lunch?"

I glanced at her plate quietly and frowned when I saw only a piece of pumpkin and two eggs there.

"It's too far." Kimberly replied cheerfully while taking small bites of her food.

I suddenly realized that my parents might not have arranged a car for her yet.

I gently stroked her hair and said, "Let's go home for dinner this evening."

Kimberly nodded vigorously.

After dropping her off at the trainee dormitory, I immediately asked the agent to find a nutritionist to plan her meals, especially. She's already quite thin. If she kept having her meals like that, she would surely have health problems.

When she was physically healthy, she would be mentally healthy.

4

The trainees had a dedicated practice room.

I sat on the sofa and watched the large screen displaying the practice room's monitoring system.

They were having dance training that afternoon.

They didn't have a dance teacher and were all practicing by watching videotapes.

Everyone had a dance partner, except Kimberly.

Everyone was trying to avoid her.

I watched thoughtfully when someone started to bully Kimberly.

"Who is she?" I asked the agent while pointing at the young woman leading the group.

The agent didn't recognize her, and my assistant answered me. "She's the only one among the trainees who has attended multiple variety shows. She has the best resources, and others regard her as the leader of them."

Suddenly, I remembered that young woman. In the original storyline, she was one of those who bullied Kimberly, partly to please me for more resources and partly for the twisted satisfaction of stepping on a woman from a rich family.

She was barely a fourth-tier character in the original novel, and Kimberly became self-contemptuous and repressed largely due to her.

I couldn't stand by and watch it happen. I had to protect Kimberly's mental health from each detail.

I casually draped my coat over my arm and said to the agent and the assistant, "Kimberly can't be bullied without consequences."

The agent and the assistant exchanged glances and understood Kimberly's status.

Before reaching the door, I heard mocking voices from inside.

"Kimberly Rowe, why is your dancing so stiff? You come from the countryside and can't make it to the big stage. You've been practicing for quite some time, haven't you? But you've never been on the big screen."

"Ha ha, Kimberly Rowe? Wasn't your name originally Isabel?"

"I heard you're a daughter of the Rowe family. Tsk, tsk, you don't look like it at all."

I kicked the door open just as they were pinching Kimberly, while their leader sat there with a smile nearby.

Upon hearing the noise, she turned around impatiently. "Can't you see we're practicing..."

Her voice abruptly stopped as soon as she saw my face. Then she gave a sycophantic expression. "Ms. Rowe"

The young women surrounding Kimberly quickly dispersed and hung their heads, not daring to make a sound.

"What are you practicing? Are you practicing how to mistreat a young woman?" I looked around the room and beckoned Kimberly over.

She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and ran up to me.

"Ms. Rowe, you misunderstood... We were just teaching her to dance."

I ignored the leader's nonsense and looked at Kimberly carefully. Her exposed skin showed no signs of injury, but my heart sank as I saw their behavior a moment ago. "Do you think you can bully someone from the Rowe family?"

Those women realized the serious situation after they saw my dark face. "We didn't..."

I didn't listen further and turned to the agent. "Is it possible for the company to terminate her contract? I'm willing to pay the penalty."

Though it was unprecedented, I could do it as I was Jake's dream lover. Almost no one in the company or even in the entire entertainment industry dared cross me.

The agent quickly contacted the higher-ups. Within five minutes, she nodded at me. "If you say so, it can be done."

That woman's face turned pale. She was trembling as she pleaded with me. "Ms. Rowe, I was blinded and didn't realize Kimberly's importance."

I had no interest in her pleas and looked up indifferently. "Now, apologize to Kimberly."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry... Kimberly, for the sake of us sharing an apartment..."

Kimberly's eyes were wide with admiration as she stared at me without blinking.

She tugged at my sleeve and hid behind me.

"I don't want to see you on screen from now on." My words were like a death sentence, and that woman sat on the floor weakly. Her face was pale, and her lips trembled, but she was unable to utter a word.

I was like a triumphant villain as I left with Kimberly after having made my point.

In the car, I lowered the partition and checked Kimberly's skin under her clothes. Her waist and arms were marked with bruises and purple pinches.

They had taken advantage of Kimberly's timid nature and assumed that she dared not report them, so they bullied her boldly like that.

Kimberly adjusted her clothes and was a little embarrassed.

I said seriously, "Kimberly, you are now part of the Rowe family and my sister. Don't be afraid of them. If someone bullies you, don't hesitate to stand up for yourself. As long as it doesn't lead to anyone's death, the Rowe family will back you up."

Kimberly clutched the hem of her clothes, and she said in a very low voice, "Will you stand up for me as you did today, Vanessa?"

I gently ruffled her hair and said tenderly, "Of course. You're my sister. I'll always stand up for you."

"So my sister is a superstar." Kimberly looked at me with eyes sparkling with innocence and hope.

I sighed inwardly. What a nice young woman she was! I was determined not to let her fall into despair.

5

When we got home, Erin happened to come downstairs. "Vanessa, why are you so late? Didn't you say you'd be on the morning flight?"

Upon seeing Kimberly, Erin gave an uneasy expression for a short moment. She coughed and then said, "Kimberly, you're back too. I was just about to have the driver pick you up."

Kimberly gave a sweet smile.

I forcibly shifted the awkward topic. "Is Dad still at the company?"

"Yes. He's still coordinating a new project. But he'll definitely come home for dinner this evening."

I quickly asked, "Will there be fish for dinner? Kimberly loves it."

Erin realized the problem. She hadn't known Kimberly's preferences yet.

If I hadn't mentioned it, there would likely be dishes I liked for dinner. It wouldn't be fair to Kimberly.

I had read the novel and remembered clearly that fish never appeared on the Rowe family's dining table because I hated it.

But Kimberly loved it. She hadn't had any fish since she joined the Rowe family.

Erin gave me a grateful look and asked, "Kimberly, is there anything else you would like to eat?"

Kimberly didn't answer Erin immediately. Instead, she turned to me. I encouraged her with my gaze, and she hesitantly said, "Mom, can we have chicken?"

I suddenly remembered from the novel that Kimberly had never been allowed to have meals at the table because she was female in her former family.

Chicken could be obtained in the village. Whenever their family had chicken, Kimberly would get a piece. It was one of her few cherished memories.

Though Erin was puzzled by Kimberly's request, she still went to the kitchen to ask the cook to add another dish.

I took Kimberly to her room. I said as we walked, "Kimberly, you did great today. You can be bolder in the future. She is our mother. You can tell her anything. Don't be afraid."

Kimberly suddenly fell silent. Then she stammered, "Can I tell Erin about what happened today?"

I realized that Kimberly's previous parents hadn't taught her those things and that they only blamed her for everything.

To help her avoid depression, I solemnly said, "Of course, you can. Erin is here to support you. She'll stand up for you. Remember, it's not your fault if you're bullied; those who bully you are bad people. You can fight back within legal limits. Of course, you can use your influence wisely. It feels so good. After all, our family is rich and influential."

Kimberly nodded, somewhat understanding.

I decided to bring a thick criminal law book from the room and put it on Kimberly's desk.

I patted the book and stirred up a layer of dust that made me cough.

"Read it thoroughly. Avoid what's in there. But if you encounter it, you can call the police."

Kimberly's eyes followed my hand. Her expression was more miserable. She looked utterly desperate.

I felt a bit guilty but soon regained my confidence.

If I wanted to help her live a happy life, she had to understand the law.

6

After I spent half a month with the film crew, the shooting finally wrapped up.

After the celebration, I got into the car driven by my agent.

"Jake will go to the company later. Do you want to..." My agent's words reminded me of the plot.

Kimberly and Jake first met at the company.

At that time, she was bullied and looked quite disheveled. Jake happened to see that and stood up for her.

However, due to my subtle hints, Jake thought Kimberly was bullied because she had insulted me, so others went against her.

Jake believed my words without hesitation, as he had feelings for me. He even said to Kimberly, "You make me sick." It worsened Kimberly's depression.

Kimberly had feelings for Jake, probably because he was the only one who stood up for her. Because of that, Kimberly secretly loved Jake.

Jake stood up for her because he remembered being bullied in the orphanage before he was taken back to the Ellis family. It seemed like a way to redeem his younger self.

I was Jake's dream lover. I merely helped him out unintentionally when he was just brought back to the Ellis family and ostracized by other boys from rich families.

Later, Jake and Kimberly met several times. He fell for her without realizing it until she killed herself. It was too late for him to realize it...

I decided to help Kimberly because she loved Jake so much.

"Is Kimberly at the company?" I asked.

"I guess so."

"Then let's go to the company," I said.

"Alright."