The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

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.

But tonight, no matter how much Leda poured on the charm, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Marshall said a word.

A wave of panic crashed over her. She tightened her grip on them, as if afraid they might slip away.

But the next instant, both Marshalls harshly pried her hands away and shoved her aside.

Leda's face went pale. She looked up at them, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Did I do something wrong? Why are you treating me like this all of a sudden?" Her words were laced with hurt.

Once, the Marshalls would have been moved by her tears. Now, Mrs. Marshall looked at her with nothing but disgust.

Suppressing the urge to retch, Mrs. Marshall slapped Leda hard across the face. Her voice was cold as ice. "You're worse than a stray off the street. All these years, our love was wasted on a thankless wretch."

Suddenly, Mrs. Marshall seemed to remember something. "Everything in your room was bought 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 our daughter anymore."

With that, she pushed Leda sharply to the floor, her face twisted with revulsion.

Leda was

enned. The parents w once loved her so fiercelyal net

have died for her were now

her out like a stranger.

No. She couldn't leave. She couldn't lose the Marshalls.

She remembered the orphanage the hunger, the cold, the constant humiliation. Her face went chalk-white.

Scrambling off the floor, Leda dropped to her knees before them, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Please, Mom, Dad, don't do this. I have no one but you. If you throw me out, where am I supposed to go?"noveldrama

Afraid Mrs. Marshall might hesitate, Mr. Marshall stepped forward and shoved Leda toward the front door.

"I don't care where you go, but you're leaving now. Get out of my house," he said, voice cold as steel.

Then, with a thin, mocking smile, he added, "We have a new member joining our family today. Don't get in the way."

He gave Leda another push, clearing the entrance.

Just then, a little girl peeked out from behind him—a sweet, cherubic face.

"Leda,

with Daddy?" Mr. Marshall said, his

elet

with don't you come home tong, just as he used to speak

to Leda herself.

Hearing him call the little girl "Leda," the real Leda's face twisted in shock and disbelief.

What was this supposed to mean? They were giving her name to some brat? Fury and humiliation burned in her chest.

Before she could process it, the little girl ran straight into Mr. Marshall's arms.

"Daddy, I want to go home with you."