Chapter 32%
As soon as Ethan left the café, I released a shaky breath, my shoulders slumping under the weight of his accusations. The tense atmosphere he created dissipated, but the chill remained, burrowing deep into my bones.
Leo’s voice broke the silence. “If I were you, I would never go back to a place full of dark pasts like Donovan, Lucy.”
“It’s none of your business, okay?” I snapped, my voice harsher than intended. “The moment I left you, we no longer had any relationship, Leo. You should get married and be happy with Sara, not get further into this.”
Leo looked at me with a mixture of desperation and anger. “You still think I love her after all the proof?“>
“I don’t care about your truth, Leo. All I care about is moving forward and living my life. Something I should have done a long time ago.” I turned away from him, refusing to let his words sink in.
“Why can’t you see that I’m trying to help you?” Leo’s voice cracked, the vulnerability slipping through. “Maybe I can’t fix what I broke between us, but I can at least make sure you’re safe.”
“Safe?” I laughed bitterly. “You have no right to talk about my safety, Leo. Not after everything you put me through.“>
Besides, I had no regrets about leaving him. Even without Sara or Ryan’s interference, I was already disillusioned with his constant broken promises and the way he took our relationship for granted.”
Deep down, I always knew why we kept our love a secret.
Leo was the esteemed son of the Robbins family, bound by expectations to marry someone of equal status. And I? I was merely the daughter of a painter and a designer, worlds apart from his.
From the very beginning, our relationship was doomed to fail.}
I continued, “You should be focusing on your own life instead of interfering in mine. Go back to Sara. Go live the life you’ve chosen. Just leave me alone.“>
My heels clicked against the pavement as I stormed away, refusing to look back. The moment I left him behind, a wave of satisfaction washed over me.”
Leo could chase me forever, but he would never find what he was looking for. I had made my decision, and it was final.
But even as I told myself that, doubt twisted through me. Ethan’s words refused to leave my mind.”
Once I reached the Donovan residence, everything felt heavier. The luxurious mansion that once welcomed me with warmth that time seemed ominous.
The hair clip Ethan had shown me was real. I recognized it instantly. But the memories he claimed to share with me felt distorted, like pieces of a puzzle that did not quite fit.
I remembered having that hair clip once, a cheap trinket I treasured as a child that had lost ages ago. But I did not remember giving it to Ethan.
Besides, the boy I remembered played with me always calmed me down when I cried, comforting me with his gentle voice and endless patience. Not someone who was a broken child, tormented and abandoned, clinging to me as if I was his only light.”
So, Ryan acted more exactly like the boy I remembered than Ethan.
But if Ethan was telling the truth, then what role did Ryan play in all of this?
I admitted if Ryan was too perfect. As if there was no gap that could bring him down.
Since the Donovan family had moved, there had never been a single scandal, not even a whisper of controversy. Everything had been clean, pristine, and carefully curated.}
But the brighter the light, the darker the shadow. So, the more I tried to piece things together, the more they fell apart.
I pressed my hand against my chest, my breathing shallow. The truth was buried somewhere between Ryan’s charm and Ethan’s rage. And I had to find it before it destroyed me.}
That night, I had made up my mind. If I was going to unravel this twisted mess, I needed answers. And those answers had to come from the Donovan family themselves.
But when I walked into the dining room, only Ryan’s parents were there.}]
Ryan’s father sat at the head of the table, his posture as composed as ever. His mother wore her usual serene smile, as if there was nothing bothered them.”
The butler informed us, “Mr. Donovan has to work overtime at the office. He apologizes for missing dinner.“}
“He stayed at the office?” I murmured to myself.”
His mother’s cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. “Maybe he wants to finish a lot of work at once so no one will bother him during the wedding and honeymoon. Let’s start dinner, dear.“}
His father nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable as he picked up his fork.
They carried on as if nothing was wrong, as if their lives were not tangled in secrets and lies. But I had come here tonight with a purpose, and I refused to back down.“>
It was time to confront them.}]
I forced myself to eat a few bites, letting the silence stretch just enough to draw their attention.
Finally, I asked, “Why did both of you seem so calm after learning Ethan is alive?”
For a moment, all I could hear was the soft clinking of silverware. Then, like the world itself held its breath, everything stilled.
3:42 PM
ruia moment, anticou eat was the sun Ciming of Silverware, then, have the wunu isen nem is ved, everyummy Sumeu.a
Ryan’s mother’s hand froze midair, her glass trembling between her fingers. Her eyes widened, terror blooming within them like a deadly flower.
The fork also slipped from Ryan’s father’s hand, clattering against his plate with a sharp, jarring sound. His face turned ashen, his jaw clenching so tightly I could see the strain in his muscles.
“Jocelyn, who told you about Ethan?” he asked calmly, but his face acted as if he was furious.
I also answered calmly to equalize the atmosphere, “Yesterday, he contacted me and Ryan himself. I thought Ryan had told both of you yesterday.“N
Both of their faces were darkened after hearing my explanation, as if Ryan never came to explain to them yesterday.N
But if it was true, if they did not know about Ethan’s news, then where had Ryan gone yesterday?
