Chapter 7
Through their explanation, I finally understood what had happened |
After the auction. I had immediately gone to them, explaining everything and informing m of my decision to divorce
our families had been friends for generations, and my parents had entrusted them with my care before passing
[saying goodbye ||
For years, they had treated me like their own daughter, so I could leave without s
What I didn’t expect was that after I left, they thoroughly investigated Sophia
Using their connections, they forced her to leave Manhattan that very day.
They’d assumed Sophia was the root of my anger.
They were wrong.
Meanwhile, Blake, discovering Sophia’s disappearance and learning I had met his parents, mediately concluded I had “tailed and used his parents to drive Sophia away.
As revenge, he published my Intimate photos online
When I arrived at the Reed estate, Blake was kneeling in the study while his father lashed his back with a riding crap:]
“Apologize! Will you apologize or no?”
Blake’s hands were bound behind him, his back already lacerated, his shirt turn to reveal bloody flesh.|||
His injuries looked even worse than that snowy night ten years ago when I found him in the wolf den
Despite this, he clenched his jaw, his forehead headed with sweat from the paire
“No.“]
“You ungrateful brat:“|
As Mr. Reed prepared to strike again, I spoke up:||
“Dad, that’s enough
“Emma” Mr. And Mrs. Reed nished to greet me.
Mr. Reed dragged me in front of Blake: “Apologize to Em
Blake knelt diere, glancing up at me.
Though his features contorted with pain, he still managed a mocking sanile:[]
“She doesn’t deserve it.”
“You disrespectful childr
A kick to his chest sent Hake sprawling to the floor.
1 stopped Mr. Reed from advancing “Dad, Im divorting him anyway. Please calm down. ~||
flake gave me a look ||
Mrs. Regil gripped my hand desperately: “Tuna, your parents entrusted you to us before they passed. With his behavior, we’ve failed them terribly. We can’t let you leave Like this. ||
1 smiled gently. “Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. Even after the divorce, you’ll sull be my parents. i’s mistakes aren’t your responsibility–please don’t feel gudty Then I pressed two small objects into their palm–vintage St. Christopher meals, the patron saint of travelers ||
nying to switzerland tonight and won’t be back for a while. Let these keep you both safe |
Immo…wast” They tried to stop me, but I was already walking away–without so much at a glance at Blake. The heavy oak door of the estate slammed shut behinit me
Inside, Mr. Reed threw the riding crop to the floor, pointing accusingly at Make-|||
that you’ve done! You drove away the best woman you’ll ever havet You don’t deserve her!–]]
Look what
Blake wiped bland from his lip, laughing bitterly. Tad, Mom, only you two would fall for her act, She’s always played the victim to win your sympathy.-||
“Shut your mouth!” Mrs. Reed was furious, slapping her son for the first time.||
“She carried you down the mountain with a fractured leg, endured three months of therapy without a single complaint about the pain. And you dare call that an
Blake paused, then scoffed: “You’re mistaken. Sophia carried me down, not Emma.“]]
You still have the nerve to mention that girl Mr. Reed angrily threw a stack of photos at his face
“Look! This is your so–called innocent, pure angelt ||
The images scattered–sophia tangled with CEOs, heirs, married men. Some were more explicit than my leaked photos.]
This is…” Blake looked up sharply. “Did Emas give these to you? Don’t be fooled by herr|
“We found these ourselves!“Mrs. Reed thrust a USB into his hands. “Watch. Then tell me who’s been lying to you.“[]
The videos played Sophia, in various beds, her body bending in ways that made one thing irrefutable:||
Her legs were perfectly healthy.
But on that snowy night, the girl who carried him had fractured her leg, hadn’t she?]
Mrs. Reed waped away tears: “Emana saved the wrong person. After rescuing you, she went to a private facility to recover. I visited her for three months–steel pins through the bune, yet she never made a sound. And this is how you repay herr
Blake swayed slightly—||
Three months in a recovery facility?
Was this the read reason lie hadn’t seen Emina after waking up?
He had thought Emma was heartless, not visiting him for three months, while a young girl remained devotedly by his side.]]
But now.
“Where are you going? Mr. Reed barked as Blake staggered up ropes snapping from his bloodied wrists.
To bring her home-
Chapter 8
