Eight years ago, my family forced me to take the fall for a murder my adopted sister committed.

No matter how much I refused or fought back, they put me in the police car themselves.

"Arabella Clark is still young. She can't go to prison... You're the elder sister, just take the blame for her."

They told me, "We'll make it up to you when you are released."

And my fiancé, Julian Vance, the powerful new tycoon in the business world, used his connections to make sure I had no way out.

"Arabella is too innocent. Prison would ruin her," he said, stroking my head. "Isabella Clark, you're the strongest. I'm sorry you have to suffer for eight years, but when you get out, I'll marry you."

...

Eight years later.

"Isabella, go out there, turn over a new leaf, and don't make the same mistakes again."

I took a tattered cloth bag from the prison guard and numbly got into a beat-up van.

Afraid that my public appearance would affect Arabella's piano recital, they just sent some random, beat-up van to pick me up.

The entire city was cheering for this genius pianist, but no one remembered me, the one who was wrongfully imprisoned for eight years.

When we reached the downtown area, the van had just stopped.

I saw a man with a cold look in his eyes inside a limited-edition Rolls-Royce. It was my fiancé, Julian.

"I'm sorry for what you've been through. I promised you before that I would marry you."

My face was expressionless. I gave a slight nod and got in the car.

I saw the reflection of my face in the window—haggard, with a scar running across it.

Julian froze for a moment when he saw it. "Isabella, how did you..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by his ringing phone.

"Ethan Clark."

My own brother.

Seeing the name on the screen, I felt nothing.

"Isabella, I'm sorry. Arabella is in trouble."

"The accident six months ago gave Arabella PTSD. She heard you were coming back today and started having an episode. Your parents and your brother are all at the hospital, I have to go."

Seeing him start the car in a hurry, I took the hint and got out.

Julian's hand paused as he was starting the car. He rolled down the window and looked at my ruined face.

"I'll have someone take you back to home. As for your face, I'll find you a famous plastic surgeon."

I spent eight years in prison, enduring cold shoulders and abuse for eight years. Thousands of tormented days and nights constantly reminded me.

They don't love me at all.

I'm not expecting anything anymore, and I don't want to marry Julian.

Twenty years ago, I was accidentally kidnapped while visiting my grandma in the countryside with my parents.

My parents were devastated. Three years later, they adopted an abandoned girl from the same village and named her "Arabella."

Her name was almost identical to mine.

I was found when I was 14, but no one cared about me. They just kept telling me to take care of my sister.

Eight years ago, they pushed me out to take the blame, saying I was unsophisticated, had no artistic talent, and deserved to have my guaranteed admission to college revoked.

They all turned a blind eye to me, including Julian.

Compared to Arabella, it was as if I were the adopted one.

Soon, I arrived at home.

The maids at home had long since been replaced. Their attitude towards me was cold, their eyes full of mockery.

To them, the unloved me wasn't a young lady of a wealthy family.

"Isabella, the incident eight years ago was a huge deal. Mr. and Mrs. Clark told you to stay in the storage room so you don't go out and embarrass the Clark family."

They don't know the truth, and I don't blame them. I just find their snobbish attitude laughable.

As for the Clark family, I'd given up on them a long time ago.

I did eight years in prison for Arabella, and they all took it for granted. Even now, they still won't let me off the hook.

"Got it."

I pushed open the door of the storage room. The room was filled with dust and junk.

But I didn't have the energy to tidy it up. I just collapsed onto the bed.

Chapter 2

I was jolted awake by nightmares several times in just a few hours.

Half-asleep, I heard my own brother, Ethan, yelling outside.

"Why did she have to come back? She's a jinx. The moment she's back, Arabella gets sick. We should've let her die in prison and never come out."

My mom sighed but didn't say anything.

But my dad said, "After all, she's a member of the Clark family. If the media catches sight of her on the street, it'll be an embarrassment to our family."

My brother shrugged, "I don't care. You just have to get her out of here. Arabella's health is the most important thing!"

He kept saying Arabella's name, as if he'd completely forgotten I was his real sister.

My mom sealed my fate with a single sentence: "When Arabella comes back, keep her in the storage room and don't let her out. We don't want to upset Arabella."

Even though I'd long since given up on them, those words still sent a sharp pain through my heart.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was from Eleanor Vance, a professor of the university's sculpture department.

"Isabella, how have you been? I've waited for you for eight years. I really hope you still remember me."

Looking at the message from Eleanor, who I considered like a mother to me, the tears I'd held back for eight years finally streamed down.

I got to know Professor Vance during a part - time job at an orphanage.

This young professor really appreciated my sculpture work. Seeing me work so hard for a living, she felt sorry for me and treated me like her own child.

Back when I got an early admission to the university, Eleanor wanted to take me under her wing to study with her.

But unfortunately, I lost my spot before I could even enroll, and they sent me to prison for eight years.

I never expected that Professor Eleanor didn't believe the news reports back then. She was even the first person to care about me after I got out of prison.

She still saw me as her child.

Without any hesitation, I immediately messaged Professor Eleanor back, telling her I was willing to continue studying with her.

"Don't worry, Isabella. Your talent is unmatched. As long as you want to, you're always welcome here with me."

"In half a month, I'll come pick you up myself. I'm going to make you shine in the sector of sculpture!"

All the pain I had endured for eight years was released in that moment, and the tears seemed endless.

Half a month...

I counted down silently in my head.

As long as I can hold on for half a month, I can finally escape this cold and heartless place forever.

In half a month, I can start a brand new life...

The next day, I was woken up by a commotion.

I hadn't slept all night, and I pushed open my door with a splitting headache.

The house was decorated like a party.

Arabella was sitting on the sofa in a gorgeous dress, with beautiful makeup on her face, basking in everyone's affection.

My parents, my brother, and my fiancé were all gathered around her, celebrating.

My brother carefully brought out a cake.

"Welcome home from the hospital, Arabella!

I stayed up all night just to make this for you. I hope you like it."

Everyone else cheered, "Welcome home, Arabella!"

"A cake made by my brother must be the best!

Thank you all for welcoming me home. Did you guys get me welcome-home presents too?"

My mom smiled dotingly. "My Arabella is so clever!"

She took out a dazzling gemstone necklace and put it on Arabella herself.

The others also took out their gifts.

"Arabella, this is Eleanor's final work. I had to pull a lot of strings to get it. I hope you like the sculpture!"

Julian presented his gift with a look of deep affection.

Arabella's eyes were filled with happiness.

Just then, she saw me hiding in the corner.

"Isabella, I was in the hospital yesterday, so I couldn't come get you. Please don't be mad, okay?"

Julian glanced at me. "You're Isabella's little sister. I'm sure Isabella won't be mad at you."

"Isabella, come on, let's celebrate Arabella's return together!"

Looking at the triumphant Arabella, I was speechless for a moment.

"Hmph, no wonder she's so ill - mannered. Raised in the countryside, she can't even say congratulations on her sister getting out of hospital!"

My mom rolled her eyes. But they had forgotten that today was also my birthday.

Back then, Mom and Dad adopted Sophia because she and I shared the same birthday.

"It's okay, Mom," Arabella immediately put on a pitiful, wronged expression. "I don't blame her. After all, she took the fall for me. I have no right to blame her."

"Isabella, can you give me a present too?

Let's just say we've buried the hatchet."

"Isabella, I want Julian. Give him to me, okay?"

Her provocation was blatant, but no one thought it was wrong. They were all staring at me.

"No."

Facing such a disgusting person, I couldn't keep my tone friendly.

Instantly, her eyes welled up with tears.

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I was just joking with you. I apologize, I'm sorry."

My mom shot me a glare and stroked Arabella's head lovingly. "Don't be sad, Arabella. Isabella has always been this selfish and petty. Don't worry, you're Mommy's best baby."

My dad, my brother, and Julian also praised her in all sorts of ways.

Julian even turned to scold me.

"Arabella was just joking. Do you have to make such a federal case out of it?"

"Isabella, you're really disappointing me!"

What a "Mommy's best baby."

Looking at this family united against me, I just gave a sarcastic laugh.There was no point in being sad anymore.

"I haven't had contact with the outside world for eight years. I'm going for a walk."

With that, I turned and left.

My dad suddenly threw a scarf at me. "Cover up. Don't embarrass the Clark family."

I laughed at myself, but I covered my face anyway.

Just half a month. In just half a month, I'll get to see Eleanor.

In just half a month, I can start a new life. I can endure it, and I don't want anything to go wrong.

After leaving home, I took a bus to the urban village.

As a high school dropout with a criminal record, the only job I could find here was as a waitress.

The work environment was dirty and chaotic, and I even had to deal with rude customers. But at least they provided food and accommodation.

At home, there was never a meal for me.

Since I returned to the Clark family at fourteen, they've only given me a total of 800 dollars.

Even when I asked for tuition money, they would frown.

"Selfish and greedy, just like someone from the countryside. Always asking for money."

After that, I never asked again.

Over the years, I scrambled to do any dirty, difficult, or tiring job.

As long as I could pay my tuition, as long as I could stay alive and fed.

Julian used to be the light in my life.

He would fight thugs for me, secretly take me out for good food, and find all sorts of ways to give me money.

The way he looked at me was always full of tenderness and pity.

So I trusted him unconditionally, to the point that when I learned he was critically ill, I gave him one of my kidneys without hesitation.

I had two kidneys anyway, so as long as it could save him, I didn't care...

But when he used his connections to make sure I got a heavy sentence and went to prison, and conspired with the Clark family to protect Arabella, we were over.

In ten days, I wouldn't have to see him anymore, and no one would be able to hurt me again...

For the next few days, I worked numbly as a waitress in the urban village.

Until I heard the news on TV about the engagement of the Clark family's daughter and the Vance family's son.

I stared at the TV in disbelief.

The Clark and Vance families were friends for generations. Julian and I had been engaged since childhood. They didn't even break it off after I went missing.

They even promised the engagement would still stand after they found me.

Thinking back now, I shouldn't have believed in their love for me all these years.

That night, as soon as I pushed open the door to the Clark family's house, I saw all of them staring at me with serious faces.

My mom told me in a tone that allowed no argument: "Arabella was hurt in the accident. Only Julian can heal her. Give up the engagement, and I'll find a better match for you in the future."

My dad nodded in agreement.

"As the elder sister, you should give in to your younger sister, understand?

Don't always try to compete with your sister over everything. Be more generous."

Is Julian some kind of object?

I gave a bitter smile.

Whether it was my room, my schoolbag, or my favorite puppy... they would all end up in front of Arabella.

Even if she was just taken by a whim.

I'll never forget how that puppy used to play happily with me, or the image of it dying horribly under Arabella's car.

I looked at Julian, who was standing silently to the side, and asked quietly, "You think so too, don't you?"

He glanced at me guiltily. "For the sake of Arabella's life, this is the only way.

Isabella, you won't mind, right?"

"You all made the decision long ago anyway. You're just informing me, aren't you?"

My face was blank. I wanted to go back to that dirty, chaotic, but exclusively mine storage room.

But my brother angrily blocked my way.

"Isabella!

How can you be so petty? Arabella is sick. Besides, you've been to prison. You're not good enough for Julian at all."

"Isabella," Julian grabbed my hand, "I don't think you're not good enough for me. I'll just stay with Arabella for a while, and we can get married after she's stable, okay?"

"After all, she gave me a kidney back then. I can't just leave her alone. Don't read too much into it..."

I felt like I'd been hit over the head with a club, so dizzy I could barely stand.

I was the one who gave him the kidney, so how did it become Arabella's?

I stared straight at him. "Are you sure she was the one who gave you the kidney, not me?"

My words sounded especially harsh in the quiet room.

My dad slammed the table and roared, "Isabella, what do you mean by that?"

"How dare you try to steal Arabella's credit for something everyone knows is true!"

"How could the Clark family have produced such a pathological liar!"

I knew my dad didn't believe me, but after seeing the disappointment in Julian's eyes, I suddenly felt like it was all pointless.

I didn't explain. I just went back to the storage room alone.

It's okay. In five days, Eleanor will come for me. I'll always be her proudest child.

The next day, my brother came to the little stall where I worked and threw a card on the table.

"The PIN is the day Arabella was brought home, which was also the day you got lost. You should remember that."

When he saw I didn't take it, he forced it into my hand. "Get plastic surgery on your face. Don't embarrass us at Arabella's wedding."

"Also, the family has been sending you living expenses every month all these years. There's no need to play the victim to get our attention."

I laughed out loud. "Money?"

"How come I've never received any? If I had money, why would I have debased myself doing the dirtiest jobs all these years?"

My brother froze, a flicker of doubt on his face, but he didn't know what had gone wrong.

"Don't try to get my sympathy."

After saying that, he left in disgust.

Arabella and Julian's wedding was scheduled for the day before Eleanor was supposed to pick me up.

Arabella deliberately organized a class reunion.

The stall was closed that day, and before I could get away, a group of people flooded in.

"Isabella, you're here too?"

That group of rich guys surrounded the soon-to-be-married couple, and when they saw me, they called out mockingly.

"Weren't you the one who always followed Julian around? Did you know he was going to be your brother-in-law and wanted to get on his good side early?"

"Since that's the case, Julian just lost a game. How about a sweet farewell kiss?"

They treated me like a toy, teasing me with every word. All I hoped for was for Julian to let me off the hook.

"But I'll get jealous!"

Arabella said, shaking Julian's arm and pouting.

"Then let's have Arabella kiss him for her, hahahaha..."

In the crowd, Julian's gaze seemed to fall on me. I remained expressionless and quietly left.

The people around them cheered wildly. I knew they were kissing passionately.

I was grateful Julian hadn't humiliated me.

They were having a great time. I could hear waves of cheering from downstairs, even in the storage room on the second floor.

"I think Arabella and Julian are the perfect match."

"Of course. When Arabella ran into that Casanova before, Julian even played the hero and saved her."

"Yeah, and later, to thank him, Arabella carved a sculpture for him and won a gold medal for it."

"And here's the big one: Arabella donated a kidney to Julian!"

...

What were they talking about?

When I was found back then, I was very timid and got harassed by that Casanova every day. The person Julian protected was me.

The one who carved the sculpture for him and won the award was me.

The one who donated a kidney to save him was also me...

When did all of this become Julian and Arabella's sweet history?

"Isabella, don't worry. I'll always protect you from now on."

"Isabella, you carved this so well! I'm so touched!"

"Isabella, we'll be together forever!"

"Isabella, I love you."

"Isabella..."

The 16-year-old Julian who said he would love and protect me forever was gone.

He disgusted me more than the Casanova who bullied me back then. I couldn't forgive him, just like I couldn't not love him back then.

That night, the sky above Los Angeles was filled with drones forming the words "I love you."

It was something Julian did for Arabella.

A text message from Julian arrived on my phone.

"Isabella, Arabella saved me, but you're the one I've always loved. Wait for me, okay?"

I deleted the text message. I can finally be free tomorrow...

I went back to the storage room and put on the best dress I had—the one I was wearing when they brought me home. I didn't want to look all ragged when I met Eleanor.

Sitting at the desk, I pulled out my yellowed diary.

"August 5, 2012. I finally escaped and called the police. Mom and Dad brought me home. I have a brother and a sister now, and I don't have to be scared anymore. My brother gave me a pretty notebook, and I'm going to write in it forever."

"December 28, 2012. My sister came home and said she didn't want to share a room with me. Dad told me to stay in the storage room for a couple of days while he got a new room ready for me. It's okay. I understand her. I'll be nicer to her so she'll accept me."

"February 25, 2013. I wanted to go to school, but Dad said all I do is ask for money. I got a job, but my boss scammed me."

...

The last page was dated August 2017, a week before I was sentenced to prison. It had only one sentence.

"They don't love me at all!"

I took a deep breath, grabbed a pen, and wrote the last entry.

"July 29, 2025."

"Mom, Dad, I'm leaving. Just pretend I'm dead."

"I've never understood it. If you didn't love me, if you already had another daughter, then why did you even look for me and bring me home?"

"Am I even your real daughter? In eight years, have you ever thought about me or worried about me, even for a second?"

"Why did you have me?"

"Ethan, my own brother."

"I never used the money on the card. It's in the drawer."

"I don't know if you remember, but I'm your real sister, the one you share blood with."

"But it doesn't matter. I'm leaving, and I don't care anymore."

The last words were for Julian.

"Julian, I'm finally not in love with you anymore."

"I can't love the stranger you've become. It's just like you told me when you were sixteen: if you ever hurt me after you grow up, I shouldn't forgive you. You have changed completely, and I don't love you anymore."

"Wishing you and Arabella a happy marriage."

"Goodbye forever."

Finally, I placed the card, my medical report from when I was imprisoned, and a photo on the desk.

The medical report clearly stated I was missing a kidney, and the photo showed the ugly scar on my side.

After I finished, I got a message from Eleanor.

I rushed downstairs without hesitation, running toward my new life.