Chapter 2 Dumped Back in the Slums
+8 Pearls
Nova softened under her daughter’s gaze and naturally gave in. “Alright, since it’s all settled, let’s get you discharged.”
“If your fever comes back tonight, you’ll have to return to the hospital yourself.”
Roy Frye and Libby Brown were Isabelle’s real parents.
Now that the daughters had been swapped back, Nova planned to send Isabelle straight to the Frye family.
Seeing Isabelle standing still, Nova snapped, “What are you waiting for? Pack up and get moving.”
Isabelle got out of bed, but her body wobbled.
Her brows drew together. This body was clearly still weak from falling into the lake.
Even though the fever had just broken, it would definitely return again by night.
“Move it already! Stop dawdling!”
Nova led Tiana out ahead, then turned around when Isabelle didn’t follow.
Isabelle glanced at Nova but eventually followed.
Nova used to treat her decently. But the moment she learned Isabelle wasn’t her daughter, her entire attitude flipped.
The driver took them all the way to the old district–the slums.
This was Downtown Village, a place filled with laborers and known for being filthy, chaotic, and crowded.
At the entrance of a narrow alley, the driver slowed. “Ma’am, I can’t go any farther. There are too many street vendors inside.”
“Then stop here,” Nova said with a look of disgust.
“Isabelle, get
out and go the rest of the way on your own. We’re not going in.”
She didn’t want to dirty her clothes or shoes.
Isabelle frowned. She had no idea where Tiana’s old home even was.
“Isabelle, the Frye house is right there under the big tree, just beside the corner store.”
“If you can’t find it, I can take you,” Tiana offered sweetly.
“You don’t have to, Tiana,” Nova said, clearly distressed.
“It’s only a few steps. Isabelle’s not stupid–she can find it.”
Nova didn’t want her daughter getting tangled up with her wrong parents again.
Tiana had told her she joined the reality show to help her struggling family. A whole bunch of bloodsuckers, leeching off her.
Tiana, seeing Nova’s reluctance, turned to Isabelle apologetically.
“If you really can’t find it, just ask someone. Say you’re looking for Libby’s place.”
“Got it.”
Isabelle stepped out of the car. Nova called after her, “Wait, your luggage’s in the trunk. Take it with you.”
They’d already packed her things? Isabelle was speechless.
Thankfully, the driver still had a conscience and helped her open the trunk and carry the suitcase out.
Just one suitcase. Isabelle instinctively glanced at Nova.
3:53 PM
Chapter 2 Dumped Back in the Slums
+8 Pearls
Nova offered a stiff smile. “One suitcase obviously isn’t enough for all your stuff. We just packed your daily essentials.”
“You can come back for the rest whenever you get the chance.”
Isabelle caught the not–so–subtle meaning behind her words but said nothing. She just pulled her suitcase and walked off.
The driver had worked for the Powell family for years. He’d practically watched Isabelle grow up and couldn’t help feeling bad. “Ma’am, should I escort Ms. Powell inside?”
Nova’s face darkened. “Who are you calling ‘Ms. Powell‘? From now on, Tiana is the Powell family’s heiress! As for Isabelle, she should be going by Frye now!”
That said it all. She didn’t want him to go.
“Let’s go. She’ll manage. We’ve got Owen Powell and Harlow Mist waiting at home,” Nova added.
The driver sighed and turned the car around.
Isabelle, with her porcelain skin and flawless features, stood out even in a pleated skirt that revealed her long legs.
Men on the street kept sneaking glances at her legs.
Isabelle grew more and more uncomfortable under their stares, but this was the only outfit the original Isabelle had in the hospital–she didn’t have a choice.
“Hey pretty lady, looking for a room? Sixty a night!” a woman sidled up to her.
“No thanks,” Isabelle said flatly, stepping past her.
She walked all the way to the corner store.
From the open window came the scent of food. No one was at the door, so she called out, “Excuse me, anyone home?”
Libby thought it was a customer and came rushing out with a mouth full of food.
“Coming! What do you need?” she said, only to pause when she saw Isabelle. Her eyes lit up.
Everyone said her Tiana was a beauty, but this girl looked even more striking–and oddly familiar.
“I’m Isabelle,” she introduced herself.
Libby looked like she was a good ten years older than Nova. A plain–faced middle–aged woman with a simple smile.
But there was something about the way she looked at Isabelle that made her skin crawl.
When Libby heard the name, she didn’t react right away.
“I’m your real daughter,” Isabelle clarified.
Libby’s eyes flickered. She came rushing out. “Oh, Isabelle! Sorry, I’ve only seen you on TV. Didn’t recognize you.”
She reached for the suitcase, but Isabelle stopped her. “I’ve got it.”
Libby gave a sheepish smile. “Alright then. Come on in. Have you eaten?”
“We didn’t know you were coming tonight. Your dad and brother were starving–they’re eating now.”
Isabelle raised an eyebrow. Tiana said they were waiting for her?
This was their idea of waiting?
She followed Libby inside and immediately felt suffocated.
The place was packed to the brim. Boxes, leftover packaging, and random inventory filled the space. Only a small table by the window was free.
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3:53 PM
Chapter 2 Dumped Back in the Slums.
+8 Pearls
Behind another door was a side room and a kitchen.
There were stairs by the side room, probably leading to a cramped attic.
The whole setup was claustrophobic.
“Roy, Aaron, look who’s here,” Libby called with a smile.
The two men looked over.
Roy squinted. “Who’s this?”
He looked Isabelle up and down with zero restraint, making her feel even more uncomfortable than Libby had.
“She’s that little starlet, Isabelle, right? I’ve seen her on that show with Tiana,” Aaron chimed in, his voice cracking mid-
sentence.
“What starlet? Aaron, this is your sister,” Libby corrected him.
“Tiana and Isabelle were switched at birth. From now on, Isabelle is your
sister.”
“No way, Isabelle’s really my sister now?” Aaron stared at her. “You’re way prettier than Tiana!”
“Aaron! Don’t talk nonsense. Eat your food,” Libby scolded.
She turned to Isabelle. “You haven’t eaten, have you? I’ll get you a bowl. It’s not much, but you can make do.”
“We’re poor, not like the Powells. Don’t mind the simple food.”
After that, anything Isabelle said would come off as ungrateful.
But she honestly couldn’t bring herself to eat.
On the table, there was a poorly made potato soup with a few chunks of blackened meat floating on top, looking like leftovers from yesterday. A plate of wilted, slightly yellow vegetables looked like they were past their prime.
She watched Roy suck on his fork before dunking it into the soup again.
Isabelle nearly gagged.
She quickly shook her head. “I’m still sick. No appetite. You all go ahead.”
Libby wouldn’t give up. “You’re sick? That’s even more reason to eat something. You’re so delicate–you’ll never recover without food.”
Send Gifts
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10
