Chapter 20
After leaving the living room, Sullivan noticed Isabel returning from the garage. The moment her eyes met his, her breath visibly hitched. Still, she figured he hadn’t seen anything.
Meanwhile, Sullivan glanced between Isabel and the garage. Narrowing his eyes, he questioned, “What did you do?”
Shrugging her head somewhat evasively, Isabel offered an awkward smile and said, “What could I have possibly done? I was feeling a bit bored, so I decided to walk around for a bit.”
Then, she quickly changed the subject. “Have you finished talking to Madeleine, Sully? It’s getting late. We should head back.”
Isabel hesitated at the mention of Madeleine. She had seen Madeleine’s body all those years ago. Even though it had been submerged in the sea for three days, she still recalled the face. It had indeed belonged to Madeleine.
However, if that body was indeed Madeleine’s, who was the woman she just saw inside? It couldn’t have been a ghost or some kind of reincarnation, right?
“Sully, didn’t Madeleine… leave five years ago? Who was that just now?” Isabel asked.
Sullivan glanced at her before heading off. Once she caught up with him, he gave her a warning look and said, “That wasn’t Madeleine. Her name is Adeline Monroe. She’s the Emersons’ adopted daughter.”
“I’m warning you, Isabel. You’d better not get any ideas. If anything happens to her because of you, the Emersons won’t be the only ones coming after you. I will make you pay for it as well. You know what I’m capable of.”
Isabel hastily shook her head and attempted a placating smile. “Why would I ever do such a thing, Sully…”
Sullivan kept walking without commenting on whether or not he believed her. She nearly couldn’t keep up with his footsteps, but she couldn’t resist feeling a sense of glee.
Adeline Monroe, the Emersons’ adopted daughter?
Isabel couldn’t be certain at first, but now, she knew she was right. Adeline and Madeleine shared similar names and faces and were both identified as the Emersons’ daughters. Who would believe there was nothing fishy afoot? How could there be such a coincidence?
Although she didn’t know what Madeleine had done all those years ago, she was certain that Madeleine faked her death five years ago and left Arbingston under a new identity.
Since she had decided to leave, why did she come back? Wouldn’t it be better if she died for real? Why did she have to come back and steal Sullivan away? Isabel didn’t care if Adeline was indeed Madeleine or if it was just a coincidence. Whoever she was, Isabel wasn’t going to let her remain beside Sullivan. If she died, Sullivan might mourn her death for a while, but time would heal all wounds.
Isabel assumed that once she was the only one left beside him, sooner or later, he would fall in love with her. Glancing back at the Emerson residence, she smirked and said to herself, “Die, Madeleine. As long as you die, everything will come to an end.”
Back inside the Emerson residence, Adeline insisted that she didn’t want to use the identity of Madeleine Emerson ever again. Frank and Cynthia had no choice but to give in.
“Oh, fine. If you don’t want to, then don’t. Maddie, we’ll hold an event in a few days to officially proclaim that you’re our adopted daughter. Things would be easier for you that day.”
This time, Adeline didn’t reject their suggestion. She nodded in agreement. After all, she couldn’t just stay in the house the whole time. She needed an identity she could use to appear in public.
After that day, Sullivan didn’t attempt to see Adeline again. He busied himself searching for a way to escape the control of the plot.
Not long after, he heard the news that the Emersons were hosting a party for their new adopted daughter. When he received the invitation, he hesitated briefly before deciding to attend. He wanted to see Adeline, even if he could only do so from afar.