All Chapters of A Love That Was Never Mine: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

“Honey, I’ve been talking to your parents about something these past few days. In a couple of days, it’ll be Issa’s memorial. We were thinking of visiting her grave. I know she did horrible things to you, but… well, she’s gone now. Your parents raised her for years, and I grew up with her. We just didn’t want you to feel upset, so we figured it would be best if the three of us went without you–”“Go ahead. I won’t go,” I cut him off.Surprised by how agreeable I was, Henry couldn’t help but smile as he leaned in closer to me.“I knew you were the most understanding person I know. You’ll just stay home and rest.”I subtly avoided the kiss he tried to plant on me, brushing him off casually.“We’re in public. Let’s just go home, okay?” I turned my face away, pretending to be shy.However, in reality, my hands were clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, leaving red marks that numbed the pain. It hurt so much... my hand and my heart.When we got home, I found an excuse

I had to stay silent, trying my best not to expose myself. I wasn’t ready for Henry to discover me just yet.He stepped closer, suspicion growing in his eyes. Then, he reached out to pull down my mask. Thankfully, Mary—the housekeeper I had bribed earlier—showed up just in time.She quickly intercepted his hand and explained, "Mr. Henry, this is the new maid for the house. I'm in charge of her. She's wearing a mask because she has the flu."Henry lowered his hand, his voice turning cold as he berated her. "Mary, since you've been around for a while, I won’t say anything harsh, but get rid of her. If she’s got the flu, she shouldn’t be here. Bear's still young, and Issa just recovered from a cold last week. We can’t risk spreading it!"From the ease in Henry’s tone, I could tell how familiar he was with this “home.” He cared about them too deeply. He even knew the names of the staff right away, instantly recognizing me as the new maid.It finally made sense why, despite being marri

"What did you just say? That’s impossible!" Henry’s face immediately changed, his expression full of disbelief. My parents' faces also grew pale as they rushed over to surround the butler, their voices harsh with urgency."Yes, we made sure the food and the drug in her drink would keep her asleep until tomorrow morning. How could Zoe have found out?"The butler stammered, unable to explain in a few words. He quickly handed over a gift box, his speech hurried."Ms. Zoe woke up shortly after she fell asleep and left, saying something urgent came up at the hospital. She left this gift box behind and told me to open it at ten o'clock. When I did, this was what I found inside…”Before the butler could finish, Henry impatiently ripped the lid off the gift box. A large family portrait stared back at him—the same one that hung in Issa’s living room.The tense atmosphere froze instantly. Now, they knew I knew everything.Henry’s trembling hands flipped through the stack of photos in the

“You’re back!”As soon as Henry opened the door, he was greeted by Issa’s smiling face. The only difference was that every time he looked at her now, that smile felt like a thorn in his side.“You can’t stay here! Take Bear and leave. You know this isn’t just my decision; it’s what your parents want too.”Issa’s smile froze, and she grabbed Henry’s sleeve tightly, trying to explain.“Henry, I was out of my mind back then, I swear! It was never intentional… For all these years, haven’t I been living a quiet life with Bear, never causing any trouble?”Henry’s anger flared. He yanked his arm free from her grip and snapped, “Quietly? Issa, do you really think no one knows about the messages you’ve been sending to provoke Zoe? Or that I couldn’t find out about the drugs you bought back then? Was it really a mistake, or have you been planning this for a long time?”My parents came out when they heard the commotion, looking tired and fed up.“Issa, it’s time for you to leave,” my dad

He didn’t dodge. He took the slap full on, his cheek turning bright red."Let me put it in simpler terms. You chose to cheat and betray me. When we got married, you swore you’d love me for life. You told me I’d suffered enough growing up in an orphanage and that you’d protect me from now on, but you caused me even more suffering. Henry, I will never be the foolish Zoe who believed in you again."Don’t come back. If you do, I’ll call the cops."I had never seen Henry look so devastated before. He stared at me as if he suddenly remembered something, his eyes brimming with tears."I love you more than anything. But I made a mistake. I forgot everything you once said to me."Then, Henry left. I believed that was the last time I would ever see him.My parents arrived the next day, around noon. Well, I suppose I should call them Mr. and Mrs. Acosta now.My mom grabbed my hand, her voice trembling. "We know we made a mistake. Back then, we caved. After all, we had raised her for over t