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

no windows, and even

even the heat of

torment of stillness, existing was worse than

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

stood up, mouth agape, but

stared blankly at Karen

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

swiftly pushed her back, protecting her

head, realizing just how deep Diana's

over. I have nothing to say. I've raised you all these years, but our bond is broken. I can never forgive you. Stay here and fend for

Karen's hand, signaling it was

to engage with

Jasper in putting an end to it all. He had truly loved Diana

relationship had to

laughter filled the room, reminiscent of a deranged spirit from

you talk

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

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

finish you off that day. If I had, there would be no Vivienne,

one last look, then silently

Jasper explained, "The things Diana 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

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 an orphanage and support her from a

entwined. "I don't remember how I felt back then, but I certainly

no place in Karen's world. Even picking up a proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing did not

I possibly

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