He hesitated, then finally forced himself to say, “Has Aria’s household registration been transferred back home yet?”
Zoe’s fork slipped from her hand and clattered onto the table.
In that moment, everyone’s face was clouded with profound sorrow, even Luke, usually so outspoken, fell silent, merely casting Nathan a complicated glance
Nathan realized something significant had happened in this family that he knew nothing about.
He didn’t say another word. After dinner, he found Silvia and quietly asked what had happened.
Silvia’s eyes filled with tears in an instant. “Nathan… I’m so sorry.”
Nathan quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe her tears. “What are you sorry for? You haven’t done anything wrong to me.”
Silvia tried to hold back her sobs, her words coming in broken fragments as she told him what had happened that day. Still, it was enough for Nathan to understand.
His eyes widened with disbelief.
“I went to see her and saw the scars on her back. Nathan, my biological parents nearly got her killed more than once. She has been missing for ten years, and no one knows what kind of hell she went through.”
Nathan let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down uncontrollably. “How could that be? She’s so strong. She even took down a dozen bodyguards. No way… I’ll go ask Caleb.”
Nathan rushed out of the room and saw that Luke’s door was slightly ajar. Instinctively, he pushed it open and called, “Uncle Luke.”
Luke seemed to be watching something on his computer. He snapped it shut in a panic, but in that split second, Nathan caught sight of a little girl on the
screen.
“Who was that little girl?” Nathan demanded sharply.
Luke’s expression turned complicated as he grabbed Nathan’s hand, stopping him from reaching the mouse. “Don’t look at that.”
“Is that Aria? Was that her as a child? Why can’t I see?”
Nathan didn’t care about respect anymore. He shoved Luke’s hand aside and reopened the computer, only to see a gaunt little girl staring back from the
screen.
Luke let out a heavy sigh, his mood weighed down. “I was the one who welcomed Aria least in this family. Even after the abuse came to light, I suspected Alice helped Aria fabricate a sob story.”
He continued, “Later, I secretly sent someone to investigate and obtained photos of Aria from her childhood. That reminded me of something, so I dug up this video. Years ago, I stumbled upon this livestream on an app. Nathan, if I’d called the police back then, if I’d used the Saxon family’s influence to help her, could we have brought Aria home sooner?“,
Luke hadn’t slept properly for days, regretting that he ever investigated, regretting that he recorded this video and kept it until now.
1
He should just keep being the “bad uncle“. That way, he wouldn’t have to feel guilty.
After watching the video, Nathan felt as if his heart was being pounded over and over again. He dropped to his knees, finally unable to hold back his sobs.
se she didn’t stand
‘What a pathetic fool I’ve been!‘ Nathan thought bitterly. ‘I distanced myself from Aria just because she seemed cold to me, just up for me when I was punished by the family. Over such a petty thing, I shut my sister out for good, treating her with nothing bu
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ulity
11:02 Wed, 4 Jun M
Chapter 159
‘Did I break her heart back then?‘
She fought tooth and nail to survive and return home, only to be met with suspicion and wariness instead of the love and care the deserved
“What about Henry? And that couple?” Nathan looked up, his eyes burning with hatred.
Luke let out a heavy sigh. “They’re all behind bars.”
Not even a sliver of a chance remained for them to make amends.
On the day of the charity auction gala, Aria arrived at the Grand Metropolis Hotel in a simple trench coat. She handed over her invitation and walked inside.
Her understated trench coat stood in stark contrast to the venue’s opulent decor, making her the center of attention the moment she appeared.
As soon as Aria appeared, Zoe immediately stood up, wanting to go to her, but Logan stopped her. “Zoe.”
Her eyes stung with unshed tears as she silently sat back down.
Caleb had warned them. If anyone disturbed Aria, he would sever ties with the Saxon family and wouldn’t take over the Saxon–Group.
Joseph was shaken by the ultimatum, but Logan and Zoe knew they no longer had the courage to beg their daughter for forgiveness.
They simply didn’t deserve it.
Aria found her seat, sat down, and started scrolling through her phone.
Another wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Aria kept her head down, but caught a sudden gasp.
“Wait, are Owen and Aria seriously wearing matching outfits?”
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AD
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