"I saw it with my own eyes last year when you came to take him back." The old woman nodded firmly.
Lin Xia froze. "What... what is your relationship with him?"
The old woman sighed. "It's this boy, Yang Mo, who saved you when you fell into the river. I screamed for help, but no one was willing to jump in. Only Yang Mo braved the freezing water and risked his life to save you. After bringing you to shore, he went home and fell ill for days." Her gaze softened with a hint of sorrow. "I watched this child grow up. He has a good heart."
"Big sister... it was Yang Mo who saved you?" Lin Ying gasped, her small mouth hanging open in shock.
Lin Xia could barely process the words. Her ears buzzed, her mind numb. It wasn't Lin Cohen who had saved her. It was Yang Mo.
Memories of how she had treated him flashed through her mind. The punishments, the scorn, the accusations, making him kneel for hours, denying him food, calling him a thief...
Her heart clenched painfully, tears welling up in her eyes. "I... I..." Her voice broke as guilt consumed her.
Seeing her shaken state, the old woman placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, child?"
Lin Xia grabbed the old woman's arm desperately. "Are you absolutely sure? Was it really Yang Mo who saved me?"
"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. There's no mistake." The old woman nodded firmly. "After saving you, Yang Mo left, and shortly after, someone else from your family arrived. I can't recall his name."
Lin Xia felt her knees buckle, her body drained of all strength. She had spent years worshiping the wrong person, trusting the wrong brother. It was the very person she had despised the most who had saved her life.
The old woman steadied her. "Are you alright, child?"
"I... I'm fine." Lin Xia forced the words out, though nothing felt fine. "Thank you for telling me."
The old woman smiled gently. "I still have groceries to buy. You take care now."
"I will..." Lin Xia responded weakly, watching the old woman disappear into the distance.
Once she was gone, Lin Ying finally found her voice. "Big sister... If Yang Mo was the one who saved you, then why did Lin Cohen say he did?"
Lin Xia couldn't answer. She shook her head, her thoughts in turmoil.
"Could it be that Yang Mo was right? That Lin Cohen deliberately lied to gain our trust? That his true goal has always been the Lin family fortune?"
"I don't know... I don't know..." Lin Xia whispered, her eyes filled with confusion and pain.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Lin Jiandong.
"Where are you two? Today is Lin Cohen's coming-of-age ceremony. Have you forgotten such an important occasion? Get back here now!"
Lin Xia swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded weakly. "We're on our way."
After hanging up, Lin Ying gently took her hand. "Big sister, let's go back. It's still Lin Cohen's birthday. We haven't even given him our gifts."
They returned to the hotel in silence. The moment they walked in, Lin Jiandong stormed toward them, his voice filled with anger. "Where have you two been? This is an important day! Xia, you should be setting an example, not running off irresponsibly. You missed the family photo session!"
Joy Feng also approached them, her designer gown and jewelry gleaming under the chandelier. "Xia, what were you thinking? This is unlike you. Where have you been? And why do you both look so pale?"
Lin Xia took a deep breath. "Mom, we went to see Yang Mo."
The room fell silent.
With a loud bang, Lin Jiandong slammed his coffee cup onto the table. His face darkened with fury. "That disgrace! Why are you still bothering with him? He is no longer part of this family! He is not your brother anymore!"
Lin Cohen, who had been smiling moments ago, stiffened. His expression darkened. Why? Why was Yang Mo still a topic of conversation? Why wouldn't he just disappear forever?
Joy Feng's expression softened slightly. "How is he?"
Lin Ying hesitated before answering. "He's back with his foster parents... He seems to be doing okay." Then, almost hesitantly, she added, "Mom... Today is also Yang Mo's birthday."
The silence in the room was deafening.
Gasps echoed among the guests. Shock rippled through the crowd. No one had ever considered this before. No one had even remembered.
Lin Cohen's smirk faltered.
Joy Feng froze in place, her mind reeling. How had she forgotten? She was the one who had given birth to Yang Mo. Eighteen years ago, on this very day, she had brought him into the world. And yet, she had celebrated her adopted son's birthday year after year, never once remembering her own son's.
The weight of realization hit her like a tidal wave.
The guests whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.
"The Lin family forgot their own son's birthday?"
"How could they only celebrate the adopted son's birthday?"
"This is quite the scandal..."
Lin Xia's heart ached as she took in her mother's stunned expression, her father's anger, and her brother's darkening face. For the first time, she felt like a stranger in her own family.
And for the first time, she realized just how much they had truly wronged Yang Mo.