13:19 Fri, 13 Jun WO
Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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“Arya, you’ve got it all wrong. Of course, I want your father to get better,” Jared said quickly, feigning sincerity. “I know some top neurologists abroad who specialize in rare brain conditions.
“I’ll ask them to fly in and consult on his case. Give it time–he’s bound to recover.”
Arya lowered her eyes, hiding the storm behind them. “Well then, thank you, Uncle.”
Jared saw that she seemed convinced and let out a courteous chuckle. “We’re family. Helping each other is the least we can do.”
‘Family?‘ She almost laughed. ‘More like a family trying to steal everything from the Kellers.‘
But she didn’t call him out. Her tone stayed calm. “I hope you’ll remember your promise, Uncle.”
There was a distinct chill in her voice.
Jared looked up and met Arya’s eyes. He must’ve sensed the edge in Arya’s stare.
Still, he brushed it off, threw out a few more empty pleasantries, and found an excuse to leave the house.
Finn watched him go, those eyes of his narrowing slightly.
It only took Finn one glance to know–Jared was an old fox. Cunning. Dangerous.
As soon as Jared stepped out of the Keller estate, he was already on the phone. “Yeah, Stephen’s awake. But he’s lost his mind… not that it matters
anymore.”
Back in the house, the moment Jared left, Arya shut the door and locked it tight.
Then Arya went straight for the medical kit and started laying out the tools.
“Arya, what are you doing?” Maria asked, wiping at her eyes, confused.
Travis, however, seemed to catch on. “Wait… Arya, does that mean Dad can still be saved?”
Arya nodded. “Yes. He hasn’t lost his ability to speak–he just has damage to his speech center. As for why he’s pretending not to recognize us… I think Jared has something to do with that.”
Even as Arya spoke, her hands were already moving. Clean, precise. One motion after another, no hesitation.
Finn’s gaze lingered on her. Sharp, searching.
If Finn had only suspected before, he must be sure now: Arya was the healer he’s been looking for.
And just as expected, minutes after Arya finished the treatment, her father stirred. Then slowly, in a rough, broken voice, he said, “Arya…”
Arya’s heart leapt. Her eyes burned. “Dad!”
Maria and Travis rushed over too, eyes red.
“Stephen, you scared us half to death,” Maria exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion.
Travis, his face etched with concern, quickly followed up, “Dad, are you okay? Can you feel everything? Does anything still hurt?”
Stephen’s eyes were misted over, but he blinked the tears away and smiled faintly. “I’m alright now.”
But Arya couldn’t wait any longer. “Dad… why did you jump?”
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1STY EN, 13 Jun W□O·
Chapter 39
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Arya had always known her father. He’s not the kind of man who runs from hardship. He ruled the business world like a king. What could’ve pushed someone like him to attempt suicide?
He looked at all of them for a moment. Then his gaze shifted, right to the tall man standing near the back. His expression turned wary.
“Mr. Barnett?” His brow creased. “What are you doing here?”
Arya’s father remembered Malcolm. Arya’s fiancé–former fiancé. Why was his uncle here instead?
He must’ve guessed something had changed while he was unconscious.
Maybe Malcolm had let Arya down?
Arya turned toward Finn, just realizing he was still in the room.
Before Arya could explain, Finn stepped forward, calm and confident. “I came with Arya,” he said with a respectful nod. “Father–in–law.”
That one phrase hit the room like a thunderclap.
Arya’s father stared at Finn in disbelief.
His body trembled. “Arya… you married him?”
Arya could see it all playing out on her father’s face. Years of experience in business had taught him the harsh truth behind every smile and handshake.
And Mr. Barnett? In their world, he’s a legend. A nightmare in a tailored suit.
Some say if you cross him, he won’t just ruin your business.
He’ll erase your existence. And no one will even find your bones.
Finn’s cruelty made them hold back, but he was still someone they had to look up to.
Stephen thought, ‘How could she have ended up with someone like him?‘
And more than that–how did Arya go from being Malcolm’s fiancée to marrying his uncle?
Arya didn’t wait for him to ask. “Dad, the night of my engagement. /. I was kidnapped. So was Eloise. Malcolm paid to save her and left me behind.”
Arya paused, then turned to Finn, her eyes full of quiet admiration. “It was Mr. Barnett who saved me.”
There’s no point hiding it. Sooner or later, Stephen would hear the truth. Better it came from Arya.
Arya tried to sound detached, like she was simply recounting an event–but she could see the fury build in Stephen’s face.
“That bastard Malcolm,” her father muttered, voice shaking. “He begged me for your hand. Promised to treat you like gold. And now this?”
Stephen thought, If that bastard Malcolm hadn’t begged me back then, swearing he’d treat Arya right for the rest of his life, how could I have ever agreed to this damned marriage?
‘And yet, I never imagined that after the Keller family fell from grace, that ungrateful wretch would turn on my precious daughter like this.
‘He thinks he can get away with it? Over my dead body! I’ll make sure Malcolm pays for every single tear she’s shed.‘
But then his attention snapped back to Finn, eyes sharp as blades.
Stephen thought, ‘If Malcolm is that heartless, how could his uncle be any better? There’s no way he has good intentions by staying with Arya!”
Finn suddenly stepped forward. “It sounds like you’ve got a problem with me?”
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13:19 FM, 13 Jun WO
Chapter 39
The pressure in the room shifted–intense, heavy—and Stephen felt it immediately, a tightness in his chest he couldn’t quite shake.
He met Finn’s eyes without flinching. “You’re damn right I do.”
How could he not have had an issue with the man who had taken away his precious daughter?
The nerve of this man, stealing away his precious daughter like that. Of course, he had a problem.
The problem didn’t even begin to cover it. He had a list of problems with Finn, with the entire Barnett family.
“Sir,” Finn said calmly, already slipping an arm around Arya’s waist, “I understand you have your
concerns.”
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His voice was low, smooth, with just the right amount of gravity–firm but not defensive, confident but not arrogant. “But Arya and I… we’re in love.”
Each word was perfectly measured, effortlessly commanding attention.
Arya glanced up at him instinctively, taking in the sharp lines of his face, the regal way he carried himself.
Even standing still, he radiated power–quiet, magnetic, untouchable.
“Love?” Stephen frowned. “Mr. Barnett, as far as I know, you were abroad for most of the past few years. When exactly did you and Arya even meet?”
Finn didn’t flinch. His answer came without hesitation. “It was love at first sight.”
