Chapter 95: The Real

When I told them I had made it into the finals, none of them believed me.In fact, they laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Lincy said, lips curled in amusement. "That’s a joke, right? Look your name isn’t even on the list." She pointed confidently at the large display board.

This was a private competition. No rigid rules. No identity checks. Most people especially those hungry for recognition used their real names. That was why Camilla had entered openly instead of hiding behind an alias.

No one had mentioned my name once during the buildup.

So to them, I was bluffing.

Monica Ashbourne let out a soft laugh, covering her mouth like she was being polite instead of cruel.

"Riley," she said sweetly, "you’ve always tried to compete with Lincy. But without real talent, effort won’t get you far. You should focus on being a good mate now. There’s no need to embarrass yourself or worse, stain the Hale name."

Before I could speak, Lewis’s voice cut through the air.

"To the Hales," he said calmly, firmly, "Riley has never been a disgrace. She is our pride."

The room stilled.

Lewis didn’t stop there. He turned his gaze to Grant, cold and sharp.

"It’s no wonder Lincy behaves this way," he added, "when she learned it from her mother."

If anyone else had said that, Grant would have exploded. But Lewis stood at the top of his territory. Grant swallowed his anger. He couldn’t afford to challenge that authority not with alliances on the line.

Instead, he tried to justify himself.

"Lewis, you don’t understand. Riley has always struggled. She’s just not as capable as Lincy. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s the truth."

Lewis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"It’s not that Riley lacks ability," he said evenly. "It’s that you never bothered to know your own daughter. That’s why the one you favor keeps living in her shadow. We don’t live in the old days anymore, Grant. Yet you still cling to them."

Grant’s face flushed. He opened his mouth but Lewis had already taken my hand.

His grip was warm. Steady.

"If the Ashbournes can’t see your worth," he said clearly, for all of them to hear, "I do."

My chest tightened. I knew he was making a point, pressing where it hurt. Still, warmth spread through me.

"Thank you, sweetheart," I said softly, letting the bond show.

We turned to leave, walking toward my mother.

Behind us, I heard Lincy mutter, "A cripple like him "

She didn’t finish.

Grant shot her a sharp look, and she swallowed the rest.

"She thinks she’s on the list?" Lincy whispered bitterly. "Fine. Let’s see how hard she falls."

Monica nudged her. "Focus on yourself. You need to bring honor to this family."

Lincy smiled with false humility.

"Don’t worry, Mom. I’m nothing like Riley. I earned my place."

In her eyes, I was still the forgotten one.

She was wrong.

Starting today, I would take back everything Riley had lost. Her pride. Her voice. Her place.

I wasn’t just here to win.

I was here to rise.

Across the room, my mother stood alone, avoiding Monica like she always did. Shoulders drawn in. Trying to disappear.

My heart ached.

She had lived like this for years quiet, unseen, pushed aside.

I walked to her slowly.

"Mom," I said gently, "why are you still holding on? I’m not a child anymore. You don’t have to stay because of me."

I meant Grant.

I reminded her of the man who had always been there quietly. Patient. Respectful. Waiting all these years without asking for anything in return.

She deserved freedom. Peace. Love.

Not this.

She noticed Lewis standing nearby and quickly shook her head.

"Silly girl," she murmured. "Don’t say things like that."

But Lewis spoke before she could retreat.

"Mom," he said respectfully, "if you want to end this , I’ll stand with you. I’ll support you fully."

She froze.

She had expected him to tell her to endure. To sacrifice herself for names and alliances. For appearances.

Instead, he offered her a way out.

Grant had lived shamelessly for years keeping another woman openly, enjoying both sides of his life, yet refusing to release my mother.

Maybe there were still feelings between them. After so many years together, that wouldn’t be strange. But whatever love once existed had long since twisted into something ugly. And his other woman? She knew exactly how to play her role fragile, pitiful, always pressing the right wounds to keep him obedient.

My mother endured it all in silence.

She stayed calm. Dignified. Carrying everything on her shoulders for the sake of the Wilchers for family honor, for stability, for me. She gave up herself to keep the structure from collapsing.

But things aren’t the same anymore.

I’m not the girl who stays quiet. I’m not the one who waits to be spared. I don’t bend just to survive.

I fight now.

What I still couldn’t fully understand was Lewis. He didn’t have to stand with us. He wasn’t bound by blood or obligation. Yet he stayed, steady and unshaken.

"Mom," I said softly, taking her hand, "you’ve already given enough. Lewis and I will stand with you, no matter what you choose. If you’re worried about the Wilchers, don’t be. We’ll handle it together."

I brushed her cheek, my throat tight.

"You’ve spent your whole life being someone’s wife. Maybe it’s time to just be yourself. Just... Ms. Wilcher."

My voice trembled.

"Maybe the first half of your life was about surviving a mistake. But the second half should be yours. I’m here now. You’ll never be alone again."

She looked at me for a long moment.

The weariness in her eyes softened. Something steady replaced it something strong.

Then she whispered, emotion filling her voice,

"My daughter has grown up. No matter what happens today, you’ll always be the one I’m most proud of."

I hugged her tightly.

"I love you, Mom."

She was the only person Riley ever truly had. Even when the world turned its back, she stayed quietly behind me, supporting me while others mocked and dismissed her. I wouldn’t let her remain in the shadows anymore.

As I stepped back, Lewis came closer and rested a firm hand on my shoulder.

"And Riley," he said gently, "you’re my pride too."

Tears filled my mom’s eyes, but this time she smiled.

"You chose well," she said to Lewis. "You’re luckier than I ever was."

I met his gaze and smiled.

"Yeah... he really is incredible."

Outside the venue, the air buzzed with energy. The crowd was thick, excitement crackling like static before a storm.

Reporters surrounded Camilla. Cameras flashed. Fans cheered, holding signs and chanting her name in perfect rhythm.

She stood tall, graceful, confident.

"I’ll give my best today," she said smoothly, smiling for the cameras. "I hope to make everyone proud."

Though artists from all over the world had entered, most were already eliminated during online voting. Without public attention, talent alone wasn’t enough.

And Camilla already known as "S" in the public eye was now seen as the obvious favorite.

Still, whispers spread through the crowd.

"Where’s that fake S everyone’s talking about?"

"She caused all that drama online bet she’s too ashamed to show up."

"Impostors never step into the open."

Even Camilla, calm as she looked, kept scanning the crowd.

She was waiting for someone.

Me.

I said goodbye to my mom and headed inside.

In the contestant area, I stayed quiet until a familiar voice snapped.

"You actually came?" Lincy sneered. "Wow."

I looked at her calmly.

"If someone like you made it," I said, "why wouldn’t I?"

Camilla glanced over but stayed silent. She always did watching, measuring, pretending she was above it all.

Lincy’s expression twisted when she noticed Camilla watching. Jealousy flashed sharp and raw.

"What are you looking at?" she snapped. "Think you’re special? Keep staring and you’ll regret it."

Before things escalated, the host’s voice echoed through the hall.

"Let’s welcome today’s top-ranked contestant, the artist with the highest public votes Ms. Camilla Morrigan!"

Applause thundered as Camilla walked onto the stage, every step confident.

"And in second place," the host continued, "just three votes behind our most talked-about mystery contestant, known only as S. Please step forward."

The room fell silent.

Eyes searched the crowd.

I stepped out calmly.

Simple white blouse. Dark jeans. Nothing dramatic. Just steady steps and a quiet smile.

Gasps filled the air.

Lincy froze.