Paul checked Isabella out while she did the same to him.
She couldn’t remember her grandparents or uncles at all. The only thing she could recall was that day she and her mom got kicked out when she was three. That memory was burned into her brain, but it was all just a blur of angry faces, none of them clear enough to recognize now.
“Are you really my uncle?” Isabella asked, keeping her tone calm and steady.
In another life, she’d never spoken to anyone from her dad’s side. They’d never reached out either.
Paul flashed a greasy smile. “Of course I am. If you don’t believe me, we can always go to a hospital and do a DNA test. That’ll clear everything up.”
“Why are you following me?” Isabella pressed.
She pulled out her phone, snapped a photo of Paul, and said, “I don’t remember you, but I’m sure my mom will. I’ll send her your picture.”
Paul had already done his homework. He knew Isabella was loaded now, so he wasn’t worried about Cynthia finding out. He just shrugged. “Go ahead.”
It didn’t take long for Cynthia to call. Her voice was tight, almost shaky. “Isabella, where did you see this man?” There was fear behind her words. She’d never forgotten that day, all those years ago, when she and Isabella were almost sold off. Paul’s mean, twisted face was burned into her memory. No matter how much time passed, she’d always know him.
“He’s right here with me, Mom. He says he’s my uncle. Is that true?”
Paul just laughed. “Cynthia, it’s been so long. Why are you so angry? I’d never hurt Isabella. She’s my niece.”
He sounded smooth, almost rehearsed. “It’s been a long time. I know I made mistakes back then. I shouldn’t have treated you both like that. That’s why I found Isabella. I want to apologize. I want her to come home.”
“Dennis only has one child. Isabella belongs with the George family.”
Cynthia just laughed, cold and sharp. She didn’t believe a word. She knew exactly what kind of people the George family were. They’d cut ties with her decades ago. Peter, her father-in-law, had screamed that Isabella was worthless and would never inherit a thing. After Dennis died, it was like Isabella didn’t exist anymore.
For over twenty years, no one from the George family had checked on them. They didn’t care. Now, suddenly, Isabella was married into money and Paul shows up out of nowhere? Cynthia knew exactly what they were after. It was always about the money.

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