The Way We Were

After hanging up the phone, I looked around the hotel banquet hall filled with celebratory decorations, and a hint of irony flashed in my eyes.The guests had all left, and both Timothy Lewis and Christopher Spencer still hadn't returned.I thought back to five years ago when my biological parents found me. The DNA results revealed that I was the daughter of a wealthy family in the capital, the Kingsley family."I'm sorry, sweetheart. You've suffered so much all these years," my biological mother, Beatrice Sinclair, said, her eyes soft with a touch of affection."We'll make sure you become an outstanding heiress and give you a bright future," said Dominic Kingsley, my biological father. "Would you like to return to the Kingsley family?"I looked at the couple in front of me, and a complicated expression crossed my face.I had grown up in an orphanage, but I never felt like I lacked love.I had Timothy and Christopher, who had been by my side since childhood.So, three years ago, I firm

After cleaning up the mess, I returned to the new house Christopher and I were supposed to share. As soon as I opened the door, I was shocked to find someone inside!"Lena, long time no see!" Isabella greeted me. She was wearing a light, revealing nightgown that showed off her graceful figure.She stepped out of the room that was supposed to be mine and Christopher's, an apologetic, yet provocative smile on her face."Tim and Chris were worried about me, so they asked me to stay here."I looked around the room, which I had so carefully decorated, now invaded by Isabella. All the matching furniture and items I had selected were thrown haphazardly into the study, replaced with her personal belongings."Chris said this room has a great atmosphere. I just had surgery abroad and need to recover, so he gave me this room," she added.A flash of suspicion flickered in my eyes as I realized—this was the very room Christopher and I had planned to share as newlyweds.Just then, the door op

The pain had taken away my ability to speak, and all I could do was look into their eyes, which were filled with traces of despair.I realized then—my future, my life, meant less to them than a small scrape on Isabella's skin."Get her into surgery right away!" Luckily, the hospital director arrived just in time, sparing them from having to make a decision."Lena, I'm sorry…"I didn't respond to Timothy. I didn't blame him.The slap would serve as repayment for all the affection they had shown me over the years.The moment the door to the operating room closed, so did the bond between us.From that point on, we owed each other nothing.When I woke up, Christopher was standing at my bedside, his face cold as ice."You're awake? Bella's wound took over a dozen stitches. If it weren't for you, none of this would've happened. Her room is upstairs. Go apologize to her when you're better."I stared at Christopher as if he were a complete stranger."I didn't do anything wrong," I s

When it was time to pick out my wedding dress, my hand was still wrapped in a medical splint.My mom and Amelia stood beside me, helping me try on one dress after another.Each time, they showered me with compliments."Jake is one lucky guy.""My daughter is a natural model. She looks good in anything."I smiled, my eyes filled with joy, until I saw the dress at the very end.A wave of shock crossed my face.It was the dress I had designed three years ago when I won the design competition!The prize money had been used as the startup fund for Timothy and Christopher's venture.At the time, a mysterious buyer had bought it…This bridal store was owned by the Sanford family. So, it was him…My hand instinctively brushed over the fabric, and I murmured, "I'd like to try this one."But my hand was a bit too clumsy, and I couldn't fully zip up the back. I tried to pull, but a pair of hands stopped me."Don't move. I'll do it," a man's voice said, soft and warm.Then, he gently

Both my mom and Amelia looked at me, their eyes filled with concern.I smiled and reassured them, "It's all over now."The file Hayden gave to the two of them contained evidence that Isabella had contracted an STD abroad due to her improper behavior over the years.Now, as Christopher looked at Isabella, disgust churned in his gut.The delicate flower he had once thought she was turned out to be a vicious carnivorous plant.Not only had she betrayed him, but she had also secretly sold Lewis Group's business secrets to the competition.Because of this woman, Christopher lost the rose he had cared for and raised since childhood.Timothy drove Isabella out of the Lewis family.The two of them tried every way they could to approach me to apologize and to make amends.But due to the Sanford family and the Kingsley families, they were turned away at the door.Yet, none of us had fully accounted for Isabella. We had underestimated her cruelty.Now, Isabella was left with nothing. Dri