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.

perpetual darkness turned the spacious

lights, no windows, and even the walls were painted

of sunlight, not even the heat of summer could penetrate the coldness

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

on touch to find something to eat when hunger struck. The sudden light was blinding, and it took Diana a while to adjust

stood up, mouth agape, but no sound came

at Karen

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

pushed her

realizing just

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

that, Jasper patted Karen's hand, signaling

had no desire to engage with

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

had

leave, Diana's eerie laughter filled the room, reminiscent of a deranged

you talk

our bond? Was it because someone said adopting a child would bring prosperity to the Perez family? Or that this adopted

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

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

Diana one last look, then silently walked away with

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,

did you adopt her

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

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

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

I possibly become

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

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