Vivienne pushed open the heavy iron gate, rubbing her arms.

Though the sun was shining bright outside, the place seemed to cast a chilling shadow over everything.

"Mom, Grandpa, are you sure you don't need me to come with you?" Vivienne asked.

Jasper shook his head. "No need, sweetheart. Your mother and I can handle this. You just wait here, okay?"

Vivienne nodded, watching Karen and Jasper disappear through the doorway.

She settled back into the car and began to nibble on a strawberry cheesecake.

As Karen pushed open the door, a nauseating stench hit her full force.

The person inside, hearing the noise, slowly turned her head.

Her hair was a tangled mess, unwashed for days.

Stains marred her clothes, and her bare feet were caked in dirt.

The source of the foul smell was clear-it emanated from her.

Jasper sighed deeply at the sight. "Diana..."

The person trapped here was, indeed, Diana!

After the cliff side explosion, Diana had been rushed to the hospital. Once she survived, the Perez family had locked her away here.

The villa might have looked like a luxury home, but it was more akin to a prison cell.

It had everything-a complete set of furniture.

all-black decor and the perpetual darkness turned the spacious abode into

and even the

the heat of summer

of stillness,

could not hear anything outside her darkness. She relied on touch to find something to eat when hunger struck. The sudden light was blinding, and it took Diana a while to adjust and recognize the figures

stood up, mouth agape, but

blankly at

an eternity, she suddenly charged at them, screaming, "I am the only daughter of

swiftly pushed her back,

head, realizing just how deep

to say. I've raised you all these years, but our bond is

Jasper patted Karen's hand, signaling it was time

desire to engage with

to it all. He had truly loved Diana as his daughter,

had to be

filled the room, reminiscent of a deranged spirit

talk

bond? Was it because someone said adopting a child would bring prosperity to the Perez family?

me your righteousness! You're nothing but a hypocrite! You adopted me with ulterior motives, and

only regret is that I didn't finish you off that day. If I had, there would be

giving Diana one last look, then

understand why I adopted Diana and Willa, especially with so many kids at home. Rumors spread, and I thought she was educated enough not to believe them. Apparently,

why did you adopt

in the line of duty, and I initially planned to send her to an orphanage and support her from a distance. But you wanted a

remember how

up a proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing did not faze her.

"Master, could I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255