The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 666

What... what on earth was happening?

All of her things were gone.

Leda's mind raced. A sudden thought struck her, draining the color from her face —but she quickly forced herself to calm down, smoothing her expression until it was perfectly composed.

Of course. That's right. Her adoptive parents, the Marshalls, had always doted on her, eager to please her, desperate for her approval. Even if Hilda had told them what happened today, they'd never believe it. They loved her too much.

That explained it-why her bedroom had been emptied out.

They must be planning to redecorate, to surprise her with something special. Yes, that had to be it.

With this comforting thought, Leda waited, pacing and glancing at the clock until six-then seven-when finally, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall came home.

The moment she saw them, Leda rushed over, flinging herself into their arms.

"Mom, Dad, you're finally home! I missed you so much," she whimpered, clinging to them, her voice trembling as she tried to sound as pitiful as possible.

In the past, her little acts of affection would have melted the Marshalls' hearts, making them eager to give her the very best the world had to offer.

on the charm, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Marshall

her. She tightened her grip on them, as

Marshalls harshly pried her hands away

at them, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Did I do something wrong?

would have been moved by her tears. Now, Mrs. Marshall looked at her with

the face. Her voice was cold as ice. "You're worse than a

by us. None of it belongs to you. So we threw it all out. The way we took you in from the orphanage-now you can leave the same way. From now on, you're not

pushed Leda sharply to the floor, her face

Leda was

once loved

died for

like

She couldn't lose the

orphanage the hunger, the cold, the constant humiliation. Her

dropped to her knees before them, sobbing

one but you. If you throw me out,

Marshall stepped forward and shoved

you go, but you're leaving now. Get out of my house," he said, voice cold as

"We have a new member joining our family today.