Page 54 of Isabella and the Slipper

Isabella couldn’t believe her ears. She’d just spent the entire night rearranging everything. Why couldn’t Elenore have waited to take down Elsa’s art until the new art came in to take its place? Isabella wanted to scream but pressed her lips together and clenched her hands. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.

Elenore continued. “This new artist has been working hard for years, trying to master her skills. I’ve been supervising her progress.”

Isabella’s throat grew tight. Was Elenore saying what she thought she was saying? Were they really going to signher? Isabella’s heart beat rapidly in her chest.

“It has recently come to my attention that this budding artist has progressed to the point where her artwork is now ready to be displayed in her father’s art gallery.”

Leilani grinned and clapped her hands, and Paco joined in. Isabella’s eyes brimmed with tears. She couldn’t believe it. Elenore was finally going to recognize her hard work. She’d made it into the gallery. And she had called everyone in to make the announcement.

Elenore held up a hand and the room silenced. “I want to introduce my daughter’s art next Saturday with a special gala.”

Isabella had waited five years to hear her stepmother acknowledge her as a daughter. And now that it was happening, she barely knew what to say. Emotion filled her throat. They were going to throw a party, just for her.

“Delilah, I’m so proud of you,” Elenore said.

Isabella’s world tilted, and she blinked.

Delilah stepped forward, a smug smile on her face. “I’m so honored.”

Isabella’s palms grew sweaty and she could barely swallow. Elenore wasn’t talking about her. She wasn’t finally getting the recognition she deserved. It was Delilah. Her stomach dropped, and she tried to discreetly wipe her face of the tears that had now spilled down. Heat seared her cheeks. She should have known it wasn’t her.

Elenore took Delilah’s hand and pulled her to the front of the room. “The gallery will need to be cleaned from top to bottom for the party, and we will invite all our clients and serve hors d’œuvres and wine.”

The realization sank in, and Isabella blurted out, “But that’s the day of the fall formal.”

Elenore shot a death glare at Isabella. “And Delilah will make a special appearance here before the dance. The rest of you will need to be here all night to help with the gala event.”

“What?” Ava shrieked.

“Not you.” Elenore dismissed Ava with a wave. “Everyone else.” Her gaze landed on Isabella.

Great. Not only did she have to rearrange the art floor again, but she had to put up Delilah’s art, whatever that was. She’d never seen Delilah paint anything except her nails. And on top of that, she had to break her date with Chase. Life just kept getting better. Isabella straightened her back. She wasn’t going to let her stepmother know she’d gotten to her.

“Fine with me,” Isabella said.

A satisfied smile formed on Elenore’s face. “Then we’re done here.”

Elenore turned to leave, but then stopped. “Oh, Isabella.” She faced her. “I’ll be dropping off Delilah’s work in a few minutes. I want you here so you can start the displays. I want Delilah’s art to have top billing.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Elenore breezed out of the gallery, her daughters following close behind. Leilani huffed and put her hands on her hips. “What is wrong with that woman?”

Paco grunted. “She wouldn’t know good art if she was bitten by it.”

Isabella didn’t want to think about it. If she gave it any more thought, she’d dissolve into a puddle of tears, and she didn’t want to expend the energy on Elenore. “I’m just happy I’m graduating this year,” Isabella said with a sigh.

Leilani wrapped her arms around Isabella and gave her a hug. “Just ignore her and that terrible daughter of hers. Delilah’sart,” she scoffed. “I can’t wait to see what that entails.”

“Maybe it’s a collection of selfies. That’s the only thing I can think of.”

Leilani laughed. “I can picture that.”

Isabella’s phone vibrated again in her pocket, and she excused herself and went into the office. The fluorescent lights flickered on and then hummed. She pulled out her phone and plopped down on her chair.

How are you this morning?

Everything okay?

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