Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 224

Sebastian sighed, clearly frustrated. "I thought you liked swans?"

"Well, I don't like them anymore!" Kayla replied, her tone confident and unapologetic. Her animated expression added a playful charm, making her bratty behavior oddly endearing rather than annoying.

To Sebastian, the necklaces were just necklaces—the only difference was the pendants. He wasn't about to cause a scene in front of everyone, let alone argue with his sister. He turned to Felicia instead and asked, "Do you like it? If not, I'll get you the same one tomorrow."

Felicia gave a faint smile.

When she was little, she once found an old doll that a kid from her village had thrown away. She carefully cleaned it, sewed up the tears, and even made it a little dress. It wasn't much, but it was hers—something she treasured.

One day, a relative came to visit with their child. The kid saw her doll and demanded to have it. Before Felicia could react, her foster mother, Tabitha, snatched it out of her hands and gave it away without a second thought.

People who had everything would never understand how much those with nothing cherished what little they had.

It was even harder to explain how it felt when those small treasures were taken away over and over again.

Felicia looked up at Sebastian, meeting his gaze. "It's fine, Sebastian," she said softly.

She didn't need the necklace, and she didn't want it either.

Felicia didn't seem angry, but Sebastian could sense something change. The fragile warmth she had started to show toward him froze over again, replaced by the same wall of indifference she had built before.

Not long after, Arnold arrived with two beautifully wrapped gifts. Felicia barely acknowledged him and just sat quietly to the side, her expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Kayla was thriving, soaking up the attention of her friends and admirers. Every now and then, she glanced at Felicia. She would clench her jaw as she silently cursed Shawn for failing her yet again.

However, everything else was going according to plan. Kayla was the center of attention, basking in the spotlight on her glamorous 19th birthday.

Amid the cheers and applause, a stunningly beautiful cake was wheeled out into the center of the room.