Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 454

No sooner had Isabel finished speaking than a sharp slap landed on her face- Marcia's hand, hard and merciless.

The blow was so forceful it whipped Isabel's head to the side, and her cheek stung as if it had been set on fire. "Isabel, how could you be so shameless?" Marcia spat. "You actually encouraged my daughter to come to such a dangerous place? If anything had happened to her, I swear I wouldn't let you off so easily!"

Isabel pressed a trembling hand to her swelling cheek, unable to speak for a long moment. "I'm sorry, Marcia. I never thought it would turn out like this. I almost—"

But Marcia's glare showed no hint of pity. Isabel's show of misery only made her more furious.

"You deserved it!" Marcia snapped. "Someone like you ought to rot in hell. You're filthy—and no wonder my sister-in-law would rather have Effie as a daughter-in- law than even look at you!"

The words struck Isabel at her core, and fat tears rolled down her cheeks, shining like raindrops on a windowpane. She looked so pitiful it was almost hard to watch.

"That's enough. Let it go," Lindy interjected, stepping between them.

She didn't approve of what Isabel had done-far from it--but she'd watched Isabel grow up and didn't see her as worthless as Marcia painted her to be. After all, it wasn't Isabel's choice to be born into her circumstances.

If Isabel could have chosen, Lindy thought, she surely wouldn't have chosen a life like this.

the way Marcia said it, as if Effie was only a second-best

in the eye. "You're wrong. Effie isn't some backup plan. She's remarkable in

off to the side,

Aunt Lindy thought so highly

Randell nodded in agreement.

she'd managed to

an awkward smile. It was true-badmouthing someone behind their back had a way of backfiring, and now she wasn't sure how

apology. "Effie, I'm sorry. I really should learn to hold

a gentle

Marcia. Most people aren't aware of their own shortcomings.

it means you have plenty of room to improve. Keep it

choked on her own spit. Was Effie genuinely naive, or just playing dumb? The way she

Elliott could barely keep from bursting

shut Marcia down

childish and