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.

darkness turned the spacious abode into a haunted

were no lights, no windows, and

even the heat of summer could penetrate the

with only the torment of stillness, existing was worse than

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 before

stood up, mouth agape,

stared blankly at Karen

at them, screaming, "I am the only daughter of the Perez family, I am the only

her back,

shook his head, realizing just how deep

have nothing to say. I've raised you all these years, but our bond is broken.

hand,

to engage with

it all.

their relationship had

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

you talk to

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

your righteousness! You're nothing but a hypocrite! You adopted

you off that day. If I had, there would

back, giving Diana one last

Many couldn't understand why I adopted Diana and Willa, especially with so many kids at home. Rumors spread, and I thought

was curious, "Dad, why did you adopt her in

duty, and I initially planned to send her to an orphanage and support her from a distance. But

entwined. "I don't remember how

had no place in Karen's world. Even picking up a proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing

could I possibly

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

Comments ()

0/255