After the phone call, I rush to meet Mario at a nearby café where he promised to show me some proof.
When I arrive, he quickly ushers me to a secluded table and opens his laptop. To my shock, the screen displays footage from a parking lot security camera. Three men are clearly seen tampering with the brakes of my car. My heart races as I watch them work methodically, their faces are quite clear.
Mario pauses the video and looks at me gravely.
“Do you know them?”
The realization that someone had deliberately tried to harm me sends chills down my spine. “Never seen them.”
As I sit back, trying to process the gravity of the situation, I realize my enemies are closer than I ever imagined, and this was just the beginning.
“Hand this evidence to the police and let them dig deeper.”
Mario agrees with me and tells me that he will expedite this matter. But he also asks me to exert caution.
As I leave the café, my mind races with thoughts of who could be behind this and why they want to harm me. The realization that my life is in danger brings a new level of urgency and fear. I know I need to stay vigilant and protect myself while Mario uncovers the truth.
I am lost in thoughts when I receive a call from Adam. What now?!
“Aria! Please come to the hospital quickly. Something happened.”
Gosh! Why will he not leave me in peace? What has he done now that he seems so worried?
Mario’s revelation adds another layer of tension to an already chaotic situation. I walk back to my car, my mind a whirlwind of questions and suspicions. Why am I always at the center of such turmoil? And why does Adam keep inserting himself into my life, only to complicate things further?
His constant presence, his sudden protectiveness, and now this looming threat… it’s all too much.
As soon as I reach the hospital, I am appalled to see Grandpa lying in bed, surrounded by Eva, Adam, Elodie, and even Sophia. Seeing Sophia there ignites a fire within me. Before I can voice my thoughts, Grandpa beckons me over with a gesture.
“What happened to you, Grandpa?”
Grandpa is quite weak, but still, he tells me everything that has just transpired and I am taken aback.
“Please, forgive me my child… I shouldn’t have let you marry Adam.”
Grandpa’s revelation hits me like a ton of bricks. I can’t believe Adam would betray me like this, especially with Sophia. Seeing her flaunting her pregnant belly only adds insult to injury. It’s a wave of emotions – anger,
betrayal, and hurt – all crashing down on me at once.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. It’s not your fault,”
I try to pacify Grandpa, but the guilt and remorse are eating him up. His frail hand grips mine tightly, and I can see the anguish in his eyes. He blames himself for not seeing the signs, for not protecting me from the betrayal.
I assure him that none of this is his fault, but the words feel hollow. Deep down, the pain and betrayal cut through me like a knife, and all I can do is hold back my own tears for his sake.
1/2
CHAPTER 86
+25 BONUS
Adam is ashamed and Grandpa seeing his face, starts lashing at him even more than I have ever seen.
“You’ve ruined Aria’s life!”
The scoldings and sharp words echo in the room, creating atense and oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, Grandpa clutches his chest, his face contorting in pain. Before anyone can react, he starts vomiting blood, the crimson liquid staining the white hospital sheets.
Panic erupts, and the room descends into chaos as nurses rush in and doctors shout orders, trying to stabilize him. My heart pounds in my chest, a cold dread washing over me as I watch helplessly, my mind reeling from the shock of it all.
“Everyone! Get out of here, now!”
The doctor shouts at all of us to clear the room, and we all rush out, our faces pale with fear and concern.
I feel a wave of disgust and sorrow wash over me. Grandpa’s own family, his blood, has caused him so much harm. As I stand in the hallway, my mind races, struggling to process the events that have just unfolded.
Adam approaches me and tries to give me a valid explanation, but I gesture to him to keep his mouth shut.
“I really don’t care why you brought Sophia here and caused so much of pain to Grandpa.‘
My tone is cold and unwavering. I let him know that Grandpa has always been so kind to me and I have always had a great respect for him and his feelings, but Adam, being his grandson, has only hurt his own grandfather even
more.
“You shouldn’t have done that!”
CHAPTER 87
CHAPTER 87
