"How can somebody's life change overnight?"
That was the thought on Isabella's mind as she stood outside the big mansion.
Her hands wouldn't stop shaking as she looked up at the huge house that was supposed to be her new home.
"This is completely different from where I am used to." Isabella stated to herself inwardly as she observed how everything about the place seemed too big, too fancy, and too different from the small apartment she had grown up in.
The front door opened, and a kind-looking woman stepped out to greet her.
"You must be Isabella! Welcome, my dear. I'm Mila, the cook. Your family is waiting for you in the grand hall." The woman said to her softly, her warm brown eyes shining with friendliness.
"Family..." Isabella mumbled under her breath.
The word made her stomach hurt. Just a few days ago, her whole world had turned upside down when she learned that the people who had raised her for seventeen years weren't her real parents.
*FLASHBACK*
"No, you are the parents I have known since I was a child. I don't want any other family than you." Isabella protested wildly.
"I am so sorry, sweetheart. We would definitely love to keep you forever as our child but your real family wants you back." The beautiful, cheerful woman Isabella had known as her mother had told her that fateful day.
"So, what happened to my biological parents?" Isabella had inquired sullenly.
"You are going to find answers to all your questions when you get back to where you actually belong to. The team who are taking you back are here already, you are going to leave with them tomorrow." Her adoptive father informed her.
"What? Tomorrow? That fast?" Isabella couldn't believe what was happening to her.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"Are you alright, dear?" Mila asked, noticing how pale Isabella had become. Her voice snapped Isabella back to the present.
"I... I'm alright, just... Uhm, nervous." Isabella slowly admitted, clenching her fists.
"You don't have to be. Your grandfather hasn't stopped talking about you since he found out you were coming. He has been so excited." Mila said and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder, then she led her in.
They walked through the huge entrance, and Isabella couldn't help but stare at everything around her. Everything looked expensive and perfect, making her feel even more out of place in her simple blue dress.
"The grand hall is right through these doors." Mila informed her, pointing to two large wooden doors.
"Thank you." Isabella replied managing a small smile and Mila nodded before leaving her alone.
"Okay, let's do this!" Taking a deep breath, Isabella pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
As her eyes wandered the grande room which was sparkling with the expensive things in it, she saw the two boys standing in the middle of the room. They looked about her age, both dressed like they had come out of a fashion magazine.
Their eyes met hers and the atmosphere changed.
"Oh, the princess has arrived!" The first boy said with a laugh that made Isabella want to disappear. He was looking at her like she was some kind of joke.
"H... Hello!" Isabella tried to keep her voice steady and mutter in greeting.
"This doesn't look anything like a princess. Are we sure she didn't miss her way?" The other boy asked rhetorically. He wasn't trying to hide how much he disliked what he saw.
Isabella felt her face get hot with anger and embarrassment.
"This?" She said, letting out a small laugh even though she didn't find anything funny.
"Excuse me, I am not..." She was going to give him a piece of her mind but before she could finish, another door opened.
And an old man in a wheelchair came into the room, pushed by another boy.
"Grandfather..." Isabella muttered as she saw the old man then her eyes wandered to the boy behind him.
He was the most handsome boy she had ever seen. He was tall, with perfect dark hair and a smile that could probably charm anyone.
"Isabella? Come here, my dear. Come give your grandfather a hug." Her grandfather said happily.
Her legs felt shaky as she walked over to him and hugged him.
"You look so much like your mother." He said softly, his eyes getting watery.
"Welcome home, Isabella. I'm Lucas." The handsome boy who had come in with her grandfather stepped forward, still wearing the perfect smile.
"These are my brothers. Damien and Liam. We are all so happy to have you back." He told her, his voice smooth and friendly as he pointed to the other two boys.
"The boys are my adopted sons. They are going to make you feel at home." Her grandfather assured her.
"Well, it doesn't seem so..." Isabella thought to herself but nodded to her grandfather.
"Would you show her to her room? She must be tired from her journey." He told Lucas.
"Of course." Lucas replied, his smile growing even brighter.
"Follow me, Isabella." He told her.
Lucas led her up a beautiful staircase and down a long hallway until they reached a door.
"Here is your room." He informed her, opening the door.
Isabella couldn't help but gasp as she peeped inside it.
"This room is bigger than my old apartment's living room and kitchen combined." Isabella commented inwardly as she looked at the expensive things in the room from the huge bed with silk sheets to the fancy chairs by the window.
"You should go inside and relax." Lucas said simply, about to walk away.
"Thank you, Lucas." Isabella called out quickly.
That stopped him and when Lucas turned around, Isabella felt her heart sank. The friendly smile that had been on his face was gone. Instead, his face was cold and angry, like he wanted to hurt her.
"You are not welcome." He said, his voice now harsh and scary. Isabella's eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped.
"Actually, you are welcome to the war zone. Are you ready?" He added, glaring at her with such hatred that Isabella felt like she might turn to stone right there.