Chapter 4: Unconditional Love

Now that she'd rested, Patricia managed to assemble her thoughts. She figured that she'd somehow turned back time. If she wasn't wrong, judging by the broken leg and her brother's presence in her bedroom when she first woke up, she must have returned to the time she'd fallen off the staircase during her last year of primary school.

The only detail amiss was that originally, she was supposed to wake up before the arrival of her third brother. However, this time she seemed to have woken up right after his return.

Patricia didn't care to know how any of this was possible. All she felt like was bumping her head against a brick wall for what she did. Even if she didn't remember more than half of the things she'd said and done, she faintly recalled some of the words she'd said to Dimitri and their father.

It would be a miracle if Dimitri hadn't already scheduled her for a mental check-up with a renowned professional...

Patricia sighed.

Let bygones be bygones. She closed her eyes and lied down.

After mulling it over in silence for over an hour, she finally had an idea of what she should do.

Going forward, she would act unlike the person she was in her last life. She couldn't allow herself to be manipulated and trapped by those around her.

In her last life, her mother pampered her to the point of unhealthiness, and her father genuinely loved and cared for her.

Because of this, she didn't mind that her relationship with her first brother was practically non-existent.

As long as her parents were there for her, she would do fine with the cordial relationship with her second brother.

And she sure as hell wouldn't give a damn about the despicable third brother who hated her guts and kept saying she wasn't the biological daughter of his family.

Alas, her pretend image of fearlessness was shattered when Dimitri's stubborn accusations were confirmed with the resurgence of the biological Gorshkova daughter. Just like her third brother had claimed, his biological sister had a birthmark on the wrist. And it was indeed shaped like a black maple leaf.

Patricia's life took a turn for the worse from the day the 'real miss' of the Gorshkova family entered her life. Patricia was no longer only called a fake by her hateful third brother. The entire country seemed to slowly begin to adopt the nickname of 'fake' as her actually name. Charlotte was put on a pedestal whilst Patricia was wronged, humiliated, criticized, verbally and physically abused...

Just the thought of it caused a wave of goosebumps to erupt all over her body.

Patricia shouldn't have made do with Irene and Kostyantyn Gorshkova's affections alone. She should have tried to get along with her brothers as well.

A small smile crept its way to her lips just thinking of them. They were alive. Her family was alive!

Even if Patricia wasn't biologically related to any of the members of the Gorshkova family, the truth was that she genuinely cared for them. All of them. Even Dimitri.

As shocking as it was to even herself, Dimitri's death had been the one that had affected her the most. Maybe it was because she hadn't been close to her first brother to begin with. Maybe it was because her life had already reached the lowest point by the time she heard of her father's death. And maybe it also had to do with the fact that she'd always longed for the affection of this third brother of hers, though she'd always refused to admit it...

Patricia shook her head.

None of it mattered anymore. She should keep a good image of herself in their hearts before leaving the stage to their real daughter once the latter made her return.

There should be no heartbreak or reluctance to part when the time came. She needed to steel her heart and avoid trying to gain their love.

If she wanted a happy ending for everyone that mattered, it was in everyone's interests that she, Patricia Newton, and the Gorshkova family parted ways with no lingering feelings.

In her last life, they'd given her money when they decided to sever all ties with her. Merely remembering how they'd still wished good for her despite thinking she'd attempted at the life of their precious Charlotte made her want to cry.

Her second brother even advised her to hire an expert in investment, if she didn't feel like getting a job!

He'd always thought she loved living an extravagant life. He advised her in consequence to his understanding of her wasteful character.

Despite the awful opinion the Gorshkova family had of her, they still couldn't bring themselves to wish harm unto her. Rather, they did whatever possible to ensure she led a good life, even if it was away from their own.

It was because of their unconditional love for her that Patricia took the decision to distance herself slowly. Even if she loved them and wanted to start over as a perfect daughter and sister, she couldn't deny the fact that she had been born a stupid person.

Charlotte Gorshkova was able to manipulate everyone around her into buying her image of a pure-hearted, defenceless young woman. Patricia had no doubt that she would be smart enough to know it was best to lead her life being pampered by the Gorshkovas rather than trying to ruin them. Especially so since the longer they lived, the more money she'd inherit.

If Patricia remained by the side of the Gorshkova family, on the other hand, she would without a doubt cause their downfall.

In her opinion, it was better for the Gorshkovas to love and cherish the real daughter without knowing her true character than to be wholeheartedly stuck with Patricia, who was a ticking bomb.

Patricia blinked the tears away. She'd cried enough already. She needed to strengthen her resolve.

She forced a bright smile onto her face. She was doing this not only for herself, but also for her beloved family. Their future depended on her.

After her conversion with Dr. Blooms, right before she succumbed to the effects of the injection and fell into a deep slumber, Patricia had planned to mend her relationship with the Gorshkova family. Right now they weren't exactly on bad terms, but they weren't on good terms either.

However, upon recalling how low of an IQ she's always had after resting her jumbled mind, she decided learning to make make money would be a better alternative.

The most she would allow herself to do concerning the Gorshkova family members was to paint a resilient and harmless image for herself in their subconscience so they would think twice before accepting any accusations against her in the future.

Additionally, if she successfully proved to them she could sustain herself without their money or backing, everyone would be able to part ways without any additional entanglement.

Patricia forced her lips up into a bright smile. However, her vision was blurred with unshed tears.

Still, she refused to admit her reluctance to part from the people she still considered her brothers and parents.

"It's for the best," Patricia thought, sniffing.

Maybe they'd even praise her for being a mature person and accepting her loss without making a ruckus?

Patricia doubted so, but she hoped they would.

This unconditional love of theirs... She needed to take care of it as soon as possible.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***