Substitute Abandons Husband and Daughter

At the time, the only reason they were willing to let me into the family was because I had the same face as her, and I could take care of Alana.

So, I had always made sure to leave myself a way out.

As long as I received the agreed-upon money, I would leave the Greenwood family and return to the orphanage.

That place was my real home.

But I didn’t understand—clearly I had fulfilled my duty and honored our agreement, yet Alex was unwilling to let me go.

"Mr. Greenwood, I have already done everything I promised your mother. Alana... has also grown up. I’ve stayed in the Greenwood family's residence long enough. Rumors are all over the place. If I continue to stay here without any name or status, it would be a disrespect to your late wife."

The man stared at me for a moment, and suddenly a smile spread across his face.

"So that’s what you’re worried about. Then don’t be. Helen had always been broad-minded and wouldn’t care about things like that. You just want to marry me and that won’t be a problem. As long as you stay obedient and treat Alana well, I wouldn’t mind marrying—"

"No." I shook my head. "You misunderstood. I don’t want to marry you, and I definitely don’t want to register our marriage."

The moment those words fell, a dark, stormy look surged in his eyes.

If it had been in the past, I would’ve already been trembling, apologizing, and trying every way possible to calm his anger.

But I had grown tired of living so humbly.

"I don’t want to stay in the Greenwood family anymore. I want to go back to the orphanage, to be with the dean, and take care of the children. Alana has already grown up and is extremely annoyed by me. She doesn’t need me by her side anymore. As long as Mr. Greenwood gives me the promised payment, I will leave right away—"

With a loud crash, Alex swept everything off the table.

"Shut up! Seems we’ve treated you too well, to the point where you think you can come and go as you please! I’m telling you, without my permission, you can forget about leaving the Greenwood family!"

Then, he turned and left, ordering several servants to lock me in the room.

The heavy door was shut tight, and that night, only water was brought in.

The servant who detained me looked apologetic and said that Alex had ordered to starve me for a few days as a lesson.

I was shocked by his shamelessness. I never thought this man would not only break his promise but also use such disgusting methods to torture me.

My body was already weak from a recent miscarriage, so I had no choice but to lie on the bed and think of ways to escape.

The next morning, just as sunlight streamed into the room, I heard a commotion outside the door.

"What? That woman really tried to leave? And Dad locked her up?"

Alana’s piercing voice rang out from outside. After a few futile pleas from the servants, she kicked the door open.

She strode into the room and saw me lying weakly on the bed.

A wicked smile curled at her lips as she grabbed my hair and yanked me up.

"I heard you argued with Dad yesterday. You’re such a pathetic loser—after staying in the Greenwood family for over a decade, and still no one likes you."

The sharp pain on my scalp made me frown deeply.

"Alana, let go of me!"

"Oh? You dare yell at me now? What, you really think you’re my mom?"

She pulled even harder, then flung me back onto the bed.

My nose hit the mattress and a sour sting spread through it, my eyes filling with tears before I could stop them.

Alana laughed even louder. "I heard you didn’t eat last night, so I kindly brought you a meal."