The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 821

Jeanette had no idea what was in store for her-not until several days later, when she and Leif finally arrived back in Africa.

Now, standing in front of two crumbling red-brick houses, she was completely stunned.

This had to be a joke. Wasn't Leif supposed to be African royalty?

A creeping sense of dread settled in her chest as she stared at the dilapidated buildings. Slowly, she turned to look at Leif, searching his face for answers.

He was staring right back at her, but there was none of the tenderness or affection she thought she'd seen before. His expression was cold, calculating, almost cruel. Still, Jeanette clung stubbornly to her fantasy-she refused to believe her dream of marrying into royalty could shatter so easily. She stared desperately at Leif. "What's going on? Can you explain this? Didn't you say you were royalty?"

Leif's grin stretched wide, flashing his blindingly white teeth. He finally dropped the act.

"Royalty? Oh, come on. You actually believed that?"

His laughter shook his entire chest, deep and mocking.

Jeanette's eyes widened as she remembered the news stories she'd seen back home-her heart skipped a beat and fear swept over her. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't form a single word.

Just then, three women stepped out of the red-brick house, each cradling a child in her arms.

When they saw Leif, their eyes lit up. All three hurried toward him, their faces full of joy, like wives welcoming home a long-absent husband.

each of them, speaking in rapid, affectionate tones in his

scene, but Jeanette

for this tender moment to last, but her

women—all still holding their children-turned their attention to Jeanette, surrounding her with sharp, appraising looks. It felt as if they were sizing up

recoiled, stumbling

the women looked her over for a while, then said softly to Leif, "Well, looks like we finally have someone

nodded in agreement, grinning at Jeanette

pale. Without another thought,

not spending the rest of her life in this miserable

few long strides, grabbed her hair, and dragged her back.

ears rang; blood trickled from the

true nature-cruel, merciless. Regret crashed over her. She should never have broken

Where do you think you're going?

off. "Who else would have you now? You're already pregnant. You think you can get

to the core, went

and her eyes hardened. "Pregnant? That's impossible. I took birth control every single

it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "You

handbags and jewelry I gave you? All fakes. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be so easy to

you. You

so gullible. I

being royalty, and