Chapter 155 The Past
"Back in the day, the Jose family wasn't in Lakina; they were in Alvia and not as prominent as they are now. For as long as I can remember, my dad was always away on business, and my mom raised me alone. We had a tough life. Later, my mom got pregnant, and my dad couldn't come back to take care of us. Communication was difficult back then; we mostly relied on letters. My dad's letters came once a month, and my mom would read them over and over, then carefully fold them and place them under her pillow before writing back."
"Life went on like this until one day I came home from school and saw my mom crying. I asked her what was wrong; she said my dad had an accident. That night, my mom didn't sleep at all. The next morning, she said she was worried and wanted to go see my dad. I told her I'd go with her, so she asked me to take time off from school while she waited at home."
"But when I got back, the house was locked. I didn't have a key, so I climbed over the wall and a neighbor told me my mom had sold the house and left."
"I ran to the station after her, but it was too late."
Recalling the past, Nina was in tears. "She left me behind; so even though I know I have parents, I will never look for them. Even if I meet them in a crowd, I will never forgive them!"
Isabella originally wanted to persuade Nina on behalf of the Jose family, but after hearing this, she felt heartbroken.
Margaret abandoned Nina, a seven-year-old child, and sold the house.
Did she ever consider how Nina would survive?
Isabella asked, "How did you end up in Palovia?"
They had grown up in Palovia, relying on each other.
Now it was proven that Nina was Lisa, which meant Isabella was an orphan.
"I wandered in Alvia for a long time, couldn't afford to go to school, and had to beg." Nina gave a bitter smile. "That's how I became a wanderer."
"I was bitten by bugs in the summer and chased by dogs in the winter. I don't even know how I survived those days. The funny thing is, even then, I still held a sliver of hope, thinking they would come back for me. Until that winter when I almost froze to death in the snow, I finally realized in my daze that they didn't want me anymore!"
"After I recovered, I left Alvia. I walked along the highway. I didn't know where I was going; I just knew I wanted to get far away from Alvia and never go back. Before I knew it, I had arrived in Palovia."
Nina turned to her. "I met your parents, Delilah Sullivan and Owen Miller, in Palovia. They took me in."
Isabella's heart trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears. So, she did have parents after all. Isabella wanted to ask something but didn't know where to start.
Nina continued, "At that time, Delilah and Owen ran a small shop. They saw how pitiful I was and took me in. I helped out in their shop, and they treated me very well. Delilah was very pregnant, but Owen's health wasn't good. Not long after, a group of people came, saying Owen owed a huge gambling debt, and they started smashing up the shop without a word."
Nina paused before continuing, "Owen couldn't take it. He collapsed and died on the spot Delilah went into premature labor and was rushed to the hospital. I spent that night waiting outside the operating room."
"The next day, you were born. I held you in my arms, standing by Delilah's bed, and she said to name you Isabella Miller." At this point, Nina suddenly stopped and wiped her tears.
Isabella waited for her to continue, but Nina suddenly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about this, Bella. I should have told you earlier, but the past is full of painful memories. I'll bear them alone. I just want you to grow up happy and joyful."
Isabella grabbed her hand. "What happened after that? You said Dad died and Mom left. So, did she leave after giving birth to me?"
Nina pressed her lips tightly and said nothing.
In her silence, Isabella understood. "She abandoned me like Margaret, didn't she?"
Tears streamed down Isabella's face as she finally felt the pain of being abandoned.
Nina turned and hugged her. "Bella, Delilah might have had her reasons. No matter what, it's all in the past. You still have me. No matter what happens, I will always be with you and never let go of your hand!"
Isabella cried, her heart filled with sorrow, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
Crying and laughing, she hugged Nina tightly, "Thank you, Nina."
The two of them, like branches in the cold winter, leaned on each other, becoming each other's only support.
The Jose Group.
Zaire looked at Seb across the table and said, "You've been here for half a day. What's going on? Did you have a fight with Isabella?"
Zaire said, "Isabella is such a good-tempered person. It must be your fault!"
Seb finally looked at him with dissatisfaction. "I'm a good-tempered person too. Why don't you say she provoked me?"
Zaire raised an eyebrow. "Isabella provoked you? Would she dare?"
Seb frowned and said nothing.
Isabella was indeed soft-hearted and wouldn't dare provoke him.
Sometimes, Isabella even showed fear in her eyes when looking at him.
However, for Matthew, Isabella might dare to do anything!
Zaire poured a glass of juice and placed it in front of Seb. "Why can't you just sit down and talk things out? Why do you have to act like a child and come here to hide?"
Seb kicked him in the leg. "Who's a child?"
Zaire yelped in pain and laughed. "You are. Do you want me to get you a mirror? Look at yourself. You look like a wronged child."
Seb raised his foot again. However, this time, Zaire was prepared and dodged.
Zaire said, "I'm going to find some women. If you want to stay here, go ahead. I'm not keeping you company!"
Seb was annoyed. "Where are you going?"
Zaire replied, "Moon Club. Do you want to come with me? I'll get you a couple of beauties. Maybe you'll forget about Isabella once you're having fun. Coming?"
"No!" Seb refused without thinking.
Zaire said, "Fine! Stay here then. I'm leaving."
Zaire walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at Seb, smiling. "But if you fought because of someone else, staying here is just giving your opponent a chance. A lot can happen in a day."
After saying that, Zaire left.
Seb sat quietly for a moment, thinking about Zaire's words, and couldn't stay calm.
He got up and left the Jose Group.
However, just as Seb drove away from the Jose Group, Jack called.
Jack said, "Mr. Landon, we've found Samantha. Her situation is worse than we expected."
