Alle Kapitel von The Prison Bride: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

In a suburban prison in Rossenville City."Prisoner 847, Jessie Stewart. Your family's here to pick you up. Try to behave yourself this time. Don't come back."Jessie Stewart numbly accepted a box of her belongings from the prison guard, nodded silently, and followed the instructions to change out of her uniform into the same clothes she had arrived in.A short-sleeved dress that had sat folded for three years, its fabric faded and creased, now hung loosely on her.'Family?'Jessie let out a cold, mocking chuckle.Three years ago, the Stewart family had shown up at the orphanage with a paternity test in hand, tearfully claiming she was their long-lost daughter. They brought her back to Rossenville City.It wasn't until she returned that she learned the truth. To cope with the pain of her disappearance, the Stewarts had adopted another girl, Mia Stewart.They'd cherished Mia for fifteen years, doted on her, and refused to let her go. To outsiders, they vaguely explained Jessie's

To the Stewart family, Jessie's very return was treated like a debt owed to Mia. After all, Mia had gone from being their beloved daughter to merely the adopted one, and it was all Jessie's fault.But none of this had been Jessie's choice.She wasn't the one who had found the Stewart family. The Stewart family had found her. They were the ones who brought her back home, only to treat her like an outsider.Jessie had often wondered if they believed Mia was so perfect and irreplaceable, why even bother bringing her back at all? Was it just to make her watch them fawn over Mia or to make her feel like a mistake?Her eyes brimmed with biting sarcasm. Mark's expression darkened with frustration. "If you hadn't been so willful, none of that would've happened to Mia.""What happened?" Jessie asked flatly.Mia's face went pale. "Mark, today's Jessie's homecoming. Let's not talk about the past. Henry, didn't you say you wanted to see Grandpa? Let's go."Henry gave Jessie a long look. His

Jessie quietly finished all the food on her plate. It had been a long time since she'd tasted such delicious food.Only a lone piece of celery remained, standing out starkly against the white of the plate. She set her fork and spoon down, stood up, and glanced around the table."I'm done eating."Laura frantically reached for Jessie's plate. "Why so little? Let me get you more.""No, thanks. I'm heading out. Enjoy your meal." Jessie didn't want to continue wasting time with the Stewart family.She turned and walked away without hesitation."Jessie, you promised me you'd stay at home," Laura called after her. It sounded like a sob. Laura's chair screeched as she moved.Mark stood up and steadied their mother, giving Jessie a look filled with guilt and disapproval.Jessie frowned slightly. Her hands trembled at her sides. The scraping chair triggered something in her.It reminded her too much of the three months of abuse she'd endured in prison.She fought back the urge to run,

"What job?" Laura asked.She looked utterly confused as she turned to Mark.His reaction was intense. He was practically clenching his jaw. "She's just greedy. That's a position you worked hard for, Mia. You went through so much to earn it. Why should she get it instead? You're just too kind. And–"Mark suddenly recalled what Jessie had said. A flicker of guilt passed through his eyes. "She doesn't have the education for it. The company wouldn't have taken her anyway."Mia wiped her eyes. "Mark, I just don't want Jessie to be mad at me. I don't want Mom to be upset. Maybe I should just leave."Jessie had just stepped into the living room when she overheard that overly delicate, fake-sounding voice. Her first instinct was to prepare for trouble.She paused mid-step, considering whether she should even walk in."Ms. Jessie is back!"The maid's surprised voice snapped her out of her thoughts. So much for slipping away. She had no choice now.Jessie walked in calmly.Laura's face

Mark was fully focused on creating opportunities for Mia and Henry to be alone together, so his tone turned harsh when he heard Jessie speak."Can you just give it a rest already?" Mark asked."Jessie," Henry said calmly, "I visited Mr. David yesterday. Given his current condition, it's best to avoid any emotional upheaval."His gaze landed on Jessie. Her stubborn eyes and expression mirrored how she'd looked three years ago, stirring something inside him."I suggest you wait a few more days before seeing him."Just as he finished speaking, Jessie had already walked up to him. Her gaze locked onto his face, filled with hope and a faint shimmer of tears."Henry, do you know what illness Grandpa has? How did it get so serious?"Before she was imprisoned, David had been in great health.He'd even promised to take her to see the northern lights once her college admission letter arrived.Henry's eyes darkened slightly. As he looked into her tear-filled eyes, something harsh and pos