Chapter 5
Zina turned toward the voice. At the top of the stairs stood a stunning woman in a pale purple dress, shock etched across her face.
Shards of priceless porcelain lay scattered at her feet, but the woman didn’t even look down. Her gaze was fixed on Zina- and the red mark at the corner of her eye.
Zina’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up.
“Mrs. Lambert, are you speaking to me?” She asked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch it.”
“Yes, I know you, Zina. You look exactly like I did at your age.” Yvonne Lambert took a few quick steps forward. “You must be my daughter. I remember the mark on your face.”
She grasped Zina’s stiff hand tightly, voice trembling. “I saw you once before you were taken away. The child who came back had no mark. Everyone said it was just postpartum madness, but I knew better.”
Then, pulling out her phone, she dialed rapidly. “Come back quick, Richard.” She exclaimed to the phone. “I’ve found our daughter!”
Only then did Zina carefully study Yvonne’s face. Sure enough, the resemblance was striking. But relying on this alone felt hasty.
“Mrs. Lambert, many people have similar marks,” Zina suggested. “Maybe you shouldn’t jump to conclusions…”
“Don’t worry, the DNA test is arranged,” Yvonne said, nodding, speaking into the phone as if fearing Zina might doubt her.
Zina quietly waited, while Yvonne held the phone tightly, even after hanging up. After a moment’s thought, Zina decided to take the initiative.
“I know this visit is unannounced, but I have urgent business.” She said. “I’m here for the Emberrose.”
Yvonne hesitated, frowning as if surprised by the request. She replied nothing for a long beat, then, without any words, she turned to head upstairs.
The living room emptied in seconds. Zina stood there, shocked and confused. She thought she was being dismissed, but before she could react, Yvonne returned, holding a delicate crystal box.
“Here,” she said, opening the box to reveal a dark red, exotic rose planted in soil. Just as Zina had imagined, its color had faded without proper care–now a dull, ominous red.
Without hesitation, Zina pulled a small, sharp dagger from her waist and sliced her wrist cleanly. Blood poured onto the rose, making her dizzy–but she gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain.
She felt the flower drink deeply, its color brightening with life. From withered to radiant, she lost track of time–until Yvonne’s voice finally broke through, trembling with tears.
“That’s enough!” she cried out.
She tore a strip from her clothing, fumbling to bandage Zina’s wrist. “It’s nothing,” Zina said, shaking her head as she reached for a small bottle in her pocket.
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Chapter 5
Finding the bottle, she opened it and poured the powder onto her wound. The blood coagulated instantly, leaving only the familiar, twisting scar on her pale wrist.
“Sorry, Mrs. Lambert, for making such a fuss,” she apologized. But Yvonne began to sob.
“You are my daughter. Only the blood of a true Lambert heiress can awaken the rose,” Yvonne said. “The last time it bloomed was years ago. The Lambert family hasn’t had a daughter in years, and you’re the only one who can make it bloom again.”
“Mrs. Lambert, I think you might be mistaken.” Zina fumbled for a second, trying to explain. “I’m… just someone with a rare blood type.”
She knew nothing about the Lambert heiress. She’d only read books to learn how to care for the Emberrose back when she was in The Pit. But before she could continue, a deep, excited voice came from outside the room.
“Out daughter’s back? Where is she?” The voice broke through, and then, a hurried figure burst into the hall.
ཧ༴ ༤ བ ང
Zina steadied her gaze and recognized the man. This was Richard Lambert, head of the Lambert family.
“Honey, it’s you, isn’t it?” Richard rushed toward Zina. Usually calm and composed, now his eyes glistened with tears. His hands trembled in midair, hesitating to reach out.
“Yes. She’s my daughter. Only her blood can awaken the rose,” Yvonne added gently.
Such tenderness and care was something Zina had never experienced in the Sinclair family. She stayed silent. She didn’t believe she could so easily inherit the Lambert family’s identity after prison.
“You must be mistaken. I’m not your daughter. I just happen to have rare blood,” Zina said quickly, waving her hand. Yet her tone was careful, not cold or distant.
Seeing her doubt, Richard called his people over.
“If she can awaken the Emberrose, there’s no mistake. She’s my daughter.” He waved for an attendant. “Arrange a DNA test immediately.”
Zina sighed as the person approached respectfully. Hesitated, she extended her arm. “Blood sample?”
“Blood test is the quickest way,” answered the attendant while drawing blood as gentle as possible.
The wait for results felt endless, and Zina still wasn’t used to suddenly doing a DNA test with the Lambert family.
Just then, a voice rang out from the doorway, annoyed. “I was having a great time shopping. Why did I have to come back? Dad, you’re the worst!”
A girl clad in designer clothes entered, her eyes instantly narrowing when she saw the bright newcomer. The bags she held dropped to the floor.
“Dad, who is she?” she cried out.
The man who’d taken the blood returned, looking unsettled. He nodded at Yvonne, then approached Richard.
“Mr. Lambert,” he said. “The DNA test results are in.”
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