Chapter 176

Margaret was stunned, tears silently streaming down her face.

"I'd rather die with you than stay there alone. Every night, I curled up next to trash heaps, digging through garbage cans for food, chased by dogs, and bullied by other homeless people! Do you know how helpless I felt? How much I wanted you to hold me?"

Nina shook her head, her voice trembling, tears flowing uncontrollably. "You wouldn't understand! Even so, I waited for you in Alvia for half a year, but you never came back!"

"No!" Margaret cried bitterly. "I asked Olivia Taylor to take care of you. Didn't she get my letter? Or was she delayed?"

Margaret panicked. "Lisa, believe me. I didn't abandon you. I sent a letter to Olivia asking her to take care of you! I really didn't know."

Nina wiped her tears, her tone calm. "Mrs. Jose, from the moment I left Alvia, Lisa was already dead. I'm Nina now, and my only family is Isabella."

"No!" Margaret screamed in agony.

Nina looked at her. "I'm grateful for your help. Today, I came to repay your kindness and Mr. Jose's. From now on, we go our separate ways."

She tried to pull her hand back, but Margaret clung tightly to her arm. "Lisa, don't do this to me. I beg you."

Nina stopped, looking at her calmly. "If I go back to the Jose family now, Isabella will end up just like I was when I was abandoned. I promised her I'd be her family for life. Even if I die, I won't leave her behind."

Margaret was stunned.

At that moment, Nina pulled her hand back, opened the door, and walked out without hesitation.

"Lisa!" Margaret's cries echoed from the room.

Nina paused for a moment, wiped away her tears, and walked away quickly.

Isabella and Kelsey were waiting at the staircase.

Kelsey kept stretching her neck. "It's been so long. I wonder how Mom and Nina are doing."

Isabella waited quietly, looking down at the potted plant in the corner, not saying a word.

"Isabella?" Kelsey poked her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Isabella looked at her and shook her head.

"Are you reluctant to part with Nina?" Kelsey asked directly.

A flash of sadness crossed Isabella's eyes. She shook her head, denying it.

"Oh, don't be shy. I know you don't want to part with her. How would you feel about having more family, like me as a sister?"

Isabella blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I mean..."

Suddenly, a shout interrupted Kelsey's words.

"Mom!" Kelsey turned quickly and saw Nina walking out.

She hurried to meet her, asking, "Nina, where's Mom?"

"In the room." Nina's face was still streaked with tears.

Kelsey felt something was wrong and quickly ran to find Margaret.

Isabella was also startled by the shout and wanted to follow, but Nina grabbed her wrist.

"Let's go." Nina pulled her downstairs.

"Nina," Isabella called, but Nina didn't respond. She just held Isabella's hand, walked downstairs, and left the Jose Mansion.

Since then, Nina never went back to the Jose family.

Kelsey mentioned a few times to Isabella that Margaret fell ill after that day.

Isabella knew what Kelsey meant. She wanted her to tell Nina.

So after work, Isabella found an excuse to invite Nina to dinner.

Isabella ordered a few spicy dishes, but Nina took the menu. "Considering your condition, it's better to eat less spicy food."

Then she added two light dishes and a nourishing soup.

Isabella touched her round belly. "They say if you crave sour food, you're having a boy. I loved sour food early on, but now I can't get enough of spicy food. I wonder if it's a girl or a boy."

"Whether it's a girl or a boy, it's your baby, right?" Nina said with amusement. "By the way, I've been learning to knit. You're six months along now. As your kid's aunt, I need to start preparing. I've picked out a few colors. Take a look."

Isabella turned off her phone. "As long as you choose it, I'll like it. My baby will love it too!"

"Then I'll choose?"

Isabella nodded. Seeing Nina in a good mood, she hesitated and said, "I heard Margaret is sick. Should we go see her?"

Nina's fingers paused, but she stayed calm. "No need."

Isabella added, "Kelsey said she's quite seriously ill."

"Bella!" Nina put down her fork and looked at her. "I don't want to talk about this. Can we talk about something else?"

Isabella bit her lip. "Nina, do you really not want to acknowledge them?"

"No!" Nina answered firmly and decisively.

"Why?"

Nina sighed, picking up her fork again. "Why does there have to be a reason? I've been on my own for so many years. Suddenly having so many family members, I don't like it."

She gave Isabella a lot of food.

But Isabella didn't touch her fork. She just looked at Nina and said after a long time, "Nina, you're doing this for me!"

Nina stiffened and smiled. "Don't be so self-centered. I'm not doing it for you. I just don't want to acknowledge them."

Isabella held her hand. "Nina, go back to the Jose family!"

Nina looked at her in a daze.

Isabella said, "I know you don't want to leave me, but going back to the Jose family doesn't mean abandoning me. Whether you're Nina or Lisa, you'll always be my sister! That won't change. You don't have to worry about me. I have Sebastian now, and in a few months, our baby will be born. I'm not alone anymore."

Nina was moved. "Bella."

"You did it for me, and I'll do it for you. I'm really happy that you found your family. You should go back!"

Nina was silent for a long time.

Her emotions changed several times.

Nina finally showed a hint of a smile. Just as she was about to say something, a gust of wind passed, and a tall, imposing figure stood by their table.

Isabella turned and saw Richard's fierce face.

"Mr. Cole?" Nina spoke.

The next second, Richard grabbed her and dragged her out.