All Chapters of A Love That Was Never Mine: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

At the hospital, Henry Nolan gently held the little boy's hand, his gaze soft."All these years, you've lived a more glamorous life than even her, the real daughter. Just be careful not to let Zoe find out."Issa Acosta smiled sweetly and snuggled into Henry's arms."Henry, if it weren't for you, that vicious woman, Zoe, would've surely sent me to jail."Henry frowned slightly but didn’t push her away. Instead, he turned his head toward the little boy beside him, his eyes softening as he ruffled the boy’s hair."Let’s not talk about that. As long as Bear’s fine after seeing the doctor, that’s all that matters. His birthday’s coming up in a few days. Your parents and I will attend the party under the guise of honoring you."The little boy, clueless about the adult conversation, simply clung to Henry, playfully begging for attention. The three of them looked like the perfect happy family that drew envious stares from people nearby, including me.I stood frozen in shock around the

Chapter 2

“Honey, I’ve been talking to your parents about something these past few days. In a couple of days, it’ll be Issa’s memorial. We were thinking of visiting her grave. I know she did horrible things to you, but… well, she’s gone now. Your parents raised her for years, and I grew up with her. We just didn’t want you to feel upset, so we figured it would be best if the three of us went without you–”“Go ahead. I won’t go,” I cut him off.Surprised by how agreeable I was, Henry couldn’t help but smile as he leaned in closer to me.“I knew you were the most understanding person I know. You’ll just stay home and rest.”I subtly avoided the kiss he tried to plant on me, brushing him off casually.“We’re in public. Let’s just go home, okay?” I turned my face away, pretending to be shy.However, in reality, my hands were clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, leaving red marks that numbed the pain. It hurt so much... my hand and my heart.When we got home, I found an excuse

Chapter 3

I quietly blinked away the tears pooling in my eyes and lowered my head.My dad was a renowned calligrapher.After being brought back to the Acosta family, I once privately asked him for one of his calligraphy pieces. However, he always smiled and gently refused, saying, “I haven’t written in years. I’m out of practice. It’s better to leave it be.”Only now did I realize he wasn’t out of practice. He just never wanted to write anything for me.“And remember to wash these sweaters with cold water,” the housekeeper, Mary, continued. “Mrs. Acosta knitted these for Bear. She put her heart into it. I’ve heard even her own daughter didn’t get that kind of treatment!”I couldn’t bring myself to respond. At that point, I had nothing left to say.I felt like a thief, eavesdropping on Mary’s casual remarks and sneaking glances at the love and care that belonged to someone else, stealing glimpses of a happiness that wasn’t mine.In truth, Issa was right. I was the one who was never truly l

Chapter 4

I had to stay silent, trying my best not to expose myself. I wasn’t ready for Henry to discover me just yet.He stepped closer, suspicion growing in his eyes. Then, he reached out to pull down my mask. Thankfully, Mary—the housekeeper I had bribed earlier—showed up just in time.She quickly intercepted his hand and explained, "Mr. Henry, this is the new maid for the house. I'm in charge of her. She's wearing a mask because she has the flu."Henry lowered his hand, his voice turning cold as he berated her. "Mary, since you've been around for a while, I won’t say anything harsh, but get rid of her. If she’s got the flu, she shouldn’t be here. Bear's still young, and Issa just recovered from a cold last week. We can’t risk spreading it!"From the ease in Henry’s tone, I could tell how familiar he was with this “home.” He cared about them too deeply. He even knew the names of the staff right away, instantly recognizing me as the new maid.It finally made sense why, despite being marri

Chapter 5

Perhaps out of guilt, my parents simply exchanged awkward smiles, avoiding eye contact.I picked up my fork, taking bite after bite of food, forcing it down. After a moment, I put on a pained, confused expression and told them I wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go upstairs to rest.Of course, my parents agreed without question.As I took one last glance from the stairs, the emotions I had hidden for so long finally began to seep through. I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer and asked, “When I was growing up as an orphan, life was so hard, and I wished I had parents. Mom, Dad... you love me, don’t you?”The childish question hit them like a slap in the face. They stared at me, speechless and hesitant, but that hesitation was all I needed to see.Their faces paled, but they said nothing.I forced a smile, making it easier for them to uphold their lie. “I must be talking nonsense. After all, if you didn’t love me, why would you have brought me back into the family? You

Chapter 6

"What did you just say? That’s impossible!" Henry’s face immediately changed, his expression full of disbelief. My parents' faces also grew pale as they rushed over to surround the butler, their voices harsh with urgency."Yes, we made sure the food and the drug in her drink would keep her asleep until tomorrow morning. How could Zoe have found out?"The butler stammered, unable to explain in a few words. He quickly handed over a gift box, his speech hurried."Ms. Zoe woke up shortly after she fell asleep and left, saying something urgent came up at the hospital. She left this gift box behind and told me to open it at ten o'clock. When I did, this was what I found inside…”Before the butler could finish, Henry impatiently ripped the lid off the gift box. A large family portrait stared back at him—the same one that hung in Issa’s living room.The tense atmosphere froze instantly. Now, they knew I knew everything.Henry’s trembling hands flipped through the stack of photos in the

Chapter 7

"Who do you think you are? This is a family matter. It's none of your business!"Years of being spoiled had left Issa unused to being harshly criticized. Grace’s sharp rebuke made her jump in anger. However, Grace didn’t spare her a glance, calmly pulling out a document I had signed long ago."I’m here to deliver something to Mr. Henry and Mr. Acosta. My client, Ms. Zoe, has signed a document voluntarily relinquishing her rights to all inheritance. In short, she’s given up everything from both the Acostas and the Nolans."Henry stared blankly at the agreement, his eyes welling up as he read the phrase "relinquishing her rights." A simple piece of paper had reduced him to silent tears.As Grace began to leave, she paused after a few steps. Turning back, her tone finally carried a hint of emotion as she looked at the regretful faces before her."Professionally, I shouldn't express personal feelings. But as Zoe’s friend, I can’t help but say this: your regret is revolting."Crying?

Chapter 8

“You’re back!”As soon as Henry opened the door, he was greeted by Issa’s smiling face. The only difference was that every time he looked at her now, that smile felt like a thorn in his side.“You can’t stay here! Take Bear and leave. You know this isn’t just my decision; it’s what your parents want too.”Issa’s smile froze, and she grabbed Henry’s sleeve tightly, trying to explain.“Henry, I was out of my mind back then, I swear! It was never intentional… For all these years, haven’t I been living a quiet life with Bear, never causing any trouble?”Henry’s anger flared. He yanked his arm free from her grip and snapped, “Quietly? Issa, do you really think no one knows about the messages you’ve been sending to provoke Zoe? Or that I couldn’t find out about the drugs you bought back then? Was it really a mistake, or have you been planning this for a long time?”My parents came out when they heard the commotion, looking tired and fed up.“Issa, it’s time for you to leave,” my dad

Chapter 9

Five years had passed, and Issa was finally kicked out of the Acostas, just like they had once lied and told me. However, I no longer cared. No matter what, I was going to press charges against her. She was going to get the punishment she deserved.Her once-prized jewelry design studio? It was nothing but a hollow shell. Without the support of the Acostas or the Nolans, it only took a few days for her business to shut down for good.This time, without my parents or Henry standing in my way, everything went smoothly. From filing the case and collecting evidence to having her arrested, it was almost too easy.I heard from Grace that Issa even begged outside the Acostas’ and Nolans’ homes, pleading for their help. She knelt there from dawn until dusk, but no one paid her any attention.My lawsuit, though, caught their attention.On the day the trial ended, Grace returned to the firm to find my frail and weary parents waiting for her. Even Henry, who had always been so proud, had bl

Chapter 10

He didn’t dodge. He took the slap full on, his cheek turning bright red."Let me put it in simpler terms. You chose to cheat and betray me. When we got married, you swore you’d love me for life. You told me I’d suffered enough growing up in an orphanage and that you’d protect me from now on, but you caused me even more suffering. Henry, I will never be the foolish Zoe who believed in you again."Don’t come back. If you do, I’ll call the cops."I had never seen Henry look so devastated before. He stared at me as if he suddenly remembered something, his eyes brimming with tears."I love you more than anything. But I made a mistake. I forgot everything you once said to me."Then, Henry left. I believed that was the last time I would ever see him.My parents arrived the next day, around noon. Well, I suppose I should call them Mr. and Mrs. Acosta now.My mom grabbed my hand, her voice trembling. "We know we made a mistake. Back then, we caved. After all, we had raised her for over t

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