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.

the perpetual darkness turned the spacious abode

no lights, no windows, and

the heat of summer could

here, with only the torment of stillness, existing was worse

to ensure Diana remained alive. Unaware of time or place, she could not hear anything outside her darkness. She relied on touch to find something to eat when hunger

slowly stood up, mouth agape, but

stared blankly at

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

pushed her back,

just how

I've raised you all these years, but our bond is broken. I can never forgive you. Stay here and fend

Karen's hand, signaling it was time to

to engage with the madwoman

Jasper in putting an end to it all. He

relationship had to

they turned to leave, Diana's eerie laughter filled the room, reminiscent of a deranged spirit from a

you talk to me about

would bring prosperity to the

but a hypocrite! You adopted me with ulterior motives, and now you preach

day. If I had, there would be no Vivienne, and I

Diana one last look, then silently walked away with

understand why I adopted Diana and Willa, especially with so many kids at home. Rumors spread, and I thought she

"Dad, why did you adopt

at Karen, and said, "Diana was the child of one of my men. Her parents died in the line of duty, and I initially planned to send her to

realizing how the threads of fate entwined. "I don't remember how I felt back then, but

regret had no place in Karen's world. Even picking up a proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing did not faze her. After all, she had

"Master, could I possibly become a

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