Chapter 2

Isabel's head throbbed painfully after she ended the call. The fever came abruptly and overwhelmingly, making her feel like she was being swallowed by flames. Even her breathing became ragged. She called an ambulance amid her feverish haze and was taken to the hospital. She was placed on an IV drip, and she waited for it to finish while alone in a hospital ward. By the time she was done, the sky had turned bright. Isabel removed the needle and headed to the restroom. Before she turned the corner at the end of the corridor, she heard a familiar voice. "It's all my fault for being so weak, Kenny. I can't believe I ended up in the hospital over period cramps and had to trouble you to stay with me." Isabel faltered. She stopped before a hospital ward and peered inside through the glass window to see Winifred. Kendall was with her, and he patiently fed her some broth from a Thermos flask. He blew gently on each spoonful before feeding it to her. There was a look of tenderness on his face that Isabel had never seen before. She listened as Kendall said, "You're only like this because you suffered too much when you were younger. Don't worry about it, though. I'll be by your side from now on, and I'll help you slowly get better." Winifred smiled sweetly, but the smile soon stiffened. "You spent the night with me, Kenny. Izzy won't get mad, will she?" Kendall's smile faded at the mention of Isabel. "She has no right to get mad." Although Isabel knew how differently Kendall treated herself and Winifred, her heart still twisted painfully at his words. She'd loved him for 11 years and had been his girlfriend for 3 years, yet all she got in return was his declaration that she wasn't worthy… She leaned against the wall weakly. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her. She looked up to meet a cold gaze. It belonged to her adoptive brother, Felix Court. He looked at her with such hostility and wariness, almost as if she were his nemesis. He asked, "What are you doing here? Are you plotting against Winnie again?" Winifred had gotten into a car crash three days after being reunited with the Court family. Everyone thought Isabel had done it, and no one had believed her, no matter how she explained that she hadn't done anything. To the Courts and Kendall, Isabel was someone who wouldn't stop at anything to solidify her status. And so, their attitudes toward her had become increasingly cold and harsh. "Felix," Isabel forced out, hurt by the sharpness in Felix's eyes. He didn't respond. Instead, he looked past her into the ward. When he saw Kendall and Winifred leaning against each other intimately, he understood what was going on. He grabbed Isabel's arm and dragged her around the corner, not caring that she was sick. He snarled, "I know what you're up to now. You're jealous after seeing Kendall and Winnie together, aren't you?" Isabel found that rather ridiculous. She was Kendall's girlfriend, yet she had to stand there and be subject to such interrogation. She gritted her teeth and snapped, "Shouldn't I get jealous? Kendall is my boyfriend!" Felix snorted. "You're shameless, Isabel. You took Winnie's place in our family and spent 11 years living in luxury. Don't tell me that's tricked you into thinking all of this belongs to you! "You should've woken up and accepted reality ages ago! Everything you have now should be Winnie's! Break up with Kendall as soon as possible if you know what's good for you. We can only treat you the way we used to once Winnie is happy." Treat her the way they used to? On the surface, she was the Court family's adopted daughter. But in truth, she was subject to constant criticism and even physical abuse. No matter how hard she worked or how outstanding she was, they would only treat her with scorn and disdain—all because she wasn't Winifred! Isabel's eyes were red-rimmed as she asked a question that had plagued her for ages. "I wasn't the one who wanted to join the Court family—your parents adopted me. I'm willing to leave now that Winifred is back. I can give her back everything that's supposed to be hers. Why won't you guys let me go?" Felix scanned her like she was an idiot. "Why? It's definitely not because we can't stand not having you around. It's for our family's reputation, of course!" She felt like she'd been struck by lightning. She swayed on her feet and collapsed on the floor, her body finally giving out. So, that was the truth. The Court family didn't want to be criticized for abandoning Isabel now that Winifred was back, so they kept Isabel tied to them. They stood by and watched as Winifred stole everything she cared about and the family she'd spent over a decade with. From beginning to end, they only treated Isabel as a stand-in who had no feelings or emotions.