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

were no lights, no windows, and even the walls

heat of summer could penetrate the

torment of stillness, existing was worse

only 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 struck. The sudden light was blinding, and it took Diana a while to adjust and recognize the figures before

up, mouth agape,

stared blankly at Karen

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

her back, protecting her

shook his head, realizing just how deep Diana's obsession

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

hand, signaling it was

no desire to engage with

visit was merely to support Jasper in putting an end to it all. He had

relationship had to

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

Ha, you talk to

prosperity to the Perez

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

that I didn't finish you off that day. If I had, there would

back, giving Diana one last look, then silently walked away

mentioned, they're probably rumors she overheard. Many couldn't understand why I adopted Diana and Willa, especially with so many kids at home. Rumors spread, and I thought

"Dad, why did you adopt her in the

one of my men. Her parents died in the line of duty, and I initially planned to send her to an

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

world. Even picking up a proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing did not faze

could I possibly become a

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