Chapter 5 Noelle rubbed her reddened wrist , her gaze as cold as frost as she met her brother's eyes . " Mr. Raymond brought me back , " she said flatly . " Sneaking back ? I couldn't if I tried . " Harold froze for a moment , then snapped , " What's Ray thinking ? He should've known better than that ! " He gave her a once - over , his gaze full of contempt . " So what if he brought you back ? Trash should stay hidden , not parade around making a fool of itself . You think you can steal Lucie's spotlight by showing up at her party ? Get out of here right now ! We don't want you ! " Noelle stared at Harold's face , so similar to her own , and her mind drifted back four years . When she'd first been found , everyone had showered her with kindness - everyone except Harold . Back then , he was the only Martinez who never welcomed her . From the moment she stepped through the door , he'd greeted her with nothing but scorn . At first , his hostility left her anxious , and she'd tried to win him over . But the harder she tried , the crueler he became With her first month's allowance , Noelle had bought small gifts for every family member . When she offered one to Harold , he refused it , shoving her so hard she tumbled down the stairs . " You think playing the suck - up will make me accept you ? " nothing but ... " e'd sneered . " Let me make this clear : my only sister is Lucinda ! You're nothing but ... He couldn't even finish , unable to define what she was to him . Under the family's reproach , Harold had stood his ground , eyes blazing as he roared , " Get out ! We don't want you ! " Then he'd stormed off without a backward glance . Noelle had never understood why . Later , Raymond told her that the reason she was kidnapped at age three was that Harold insisted on taking her to an amusement park and gave her his hand - knitted beanie with " boy " embroidered on it to wear . The police concluded that the kidnappers , likely short on staff , chose to take Noelle instead of both children because they probably mistook her for a boy and thought she would be easier to handle . Raymond had asked her to be understanding of Harold . After the incident , he'd been plagued by nightmares , waking up in tears . Their mother , Hester Fletcher , had been shattered by the loss , and Harold bore the brunt of her sorrow and anger . It wasn't until their father , Carson Martinez , adopted Lucinda that the family's atmosphere , finally lightened . Noelle never understood why she , the one who had suffered most , was also the one expected to be most forgiving . Back then , desperate for family harmony , she'd kept trying to win Harold over , even after breaking a bone in that fall . But all she got was more insults . This time , though , Noelle was done forgiving . She lifted her head , her voice steady . " Harold , do you even have a heart ? " Harold faltered , caught off guard by the calm , unyielding look in her eyes . A flicker of panic sparked in him , but he snapped , " What nonsense are you spouting ? " Because of you , I was taken , " Noelle said , her gaze piercing . Harold's mouth opened , but no sound came . It was like invisible hands were strangling him . " I was sold to a remote village , " she continued , her words deliberate . " I was too young for them to violate me , so they used me as a servant . I couldn't go to school I worked from dawn to dusk , and if I made a mistake , they beat me . They said they said once I started menstruating , I'd Binance Buy Bitcoin & Crypto Bet a wiserte gift from Dancel were towing new imersa share of spunk in Run Download O < hapter 5 ready to have children . Menu rayed every single day - begging my body not to change . Not yet . Not ever . " voice trembled but pressed on . " Then the police came and rescued the trafficked women in the village . I was too young to remember thing about my identity , so they couldn't find my family . Later , I was sent to an orphanage . ve you ever been to one , Harold ? Do you know what it's like ? When I was ten , I had to work, take care of even younger orphans , and try to ly . At school , orphans were the easiest targets for bullies . " paused , her eyes locked on his . " And all of this started because of you . " Binance : Buy Bitcoin & Crypto Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!