Chapter 143
But Derek let out a cold laugh. “You’re all so fixated on whether Aria’s really a Saxon, but has anyone thought about where she was or what she has been through during those ten years?”
The family always showered Derek’s older brother with care–meals prepared with love, clothes handpicked by their mother–while Derek was left to be raised by the nanny.
He’d always thought they were biased.
But today, he realized the Saxon family wasn’t just unfair. They were downright absurd.
Even as a cousin, hearing about Aria’s ten–year disappearance made him instinctively worried. Yet all they cared about was a DNA test.
And Zoe had the audacity to call Aria cold–hearted, saying she was indifferent to her family. What a joke!
Zoe’s mind went blank, her voice trembling as she turned to Caleb. “Caleb, you knew Aria had been missing for ten years?”
Caleb didn’t answer, and the realization hit Zoe like a blow. Her face crumbled. “You knew but didn’t say anything. Aria is your sister. She’s also my daughter!”
Caleb’s expression darkened, his voice heavy with frustration. “Mom, would it have made any difference if I told you? Would you have done anything?”
The living room fell into a suffocating silence.
“Alice mentioned Aria’s ten–year disappearance, and your first reaction was to doubt her bloodline and demanded another DNA test. Is that all you can
do?”
Caleb’s voice was sharp with anger. “Do you even know what she’s been through? Dominic and Alice abused her relentlessly–beatings, starvation, neglect. They even took out a high–value insurance policy on her and set the house on fire, trying to kill her for the payout. She barely escaped, and her back is covered in scars from that fire.
“They sold her for one thousand dollars. And when she managed to escape and come home, they didn’t feel a shred of guilt. Instead, they sold her off again.”
Caleb’s eyes were bloodshot as he pleaded, “I’m begging you. Just let Aria live in peace. After everything she’s been through, it’s a miracle she’s still alive.”
The damage was done, and they’d never be able to make it up to Aria.
What was the point of feeling guilty? She was thriving, strong, and didn’t need anyone’s help.
All Caleb wanted was to stay by Aria’s side.
Derek’s eyes widened, his chest tightening as if something heavy was crushing him, leaving him gasping for air.
So, that was what Aria had endured all these years!
Zoe’s hands trembled as she grabbed Caleb’s arm. “No, no way! Caleb, you’re lying, aren’t you?”
Logan’s eyes narrowed in shock. “So, when you left home, you were investigating this?”
“Yeah!” Caleb lowered his gaze, a bitter smile tugging at his lips as tears welled up. “Hard to believe, isn’t it? That Aria, always so strong independent, never showing weakness, never asking for help, went through all of this?”
He pushed Zoe’s hand away, his gaze icy as it landed on the woman on the floor. “Did you really think, Alice, that with Dominic and Austin behind bars, you’d walk away unscathed?”
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Chapter 143
Alice’s eyes widened in horror as realization hit her. “It was you! You ruined my son! You sent my husband to prison”
She had come to beg for help from her enemy!
Consumed by rage, Alice lunged at him, but Caleb kicked her aside without hesitation.
His expression was colder and fiercer than ever. “Your son’s crimes are his own. I didn’t need to frame him. But don’t worry. You’ll be joining him in prison soon enough.”
Alice knew all too well the Saxon family’s power. There was no way she could save her son or husband,
Alice tilted her head back and let out a wild, bitter laugh, her eyes blazing with hatred as she glared at the Saxon family. “I should’ve killed Madelyn when I had the chance!”
“I starved her, froze her, burned her, sold her off, and still, she survived it all. Ten years later, she crawled back alive. That girl’s life is disgustingly tought
