LOGIN"I…"Quinton froze. He was suddenly at a loss for words.For the first time, he regretted being the person he used to be. Back then, hatred had consumed him so completely that he had unknowingly passed much of it on to Renee. Now she was standing exactly where he once stood. She was trapped in the same extreme mindset.Unfortunately, there was no undoing the past. He had to live with the consequences of his own actions."So what are you planning to do?"He knew there was no convincing Renee to let it go. If he couldn't stop her, then he would walk beside her.If she chose forgiveness, he would forgive.If she chose revenge, he would become her trusted accomplice."I want the Hunt family to pay the same price. I want them to know what it feels like to be separated from their own flesh and blood!"Renee clenched her fists."Separated from their own flesh and blood?"Quinton was curious what she meant by that.At present, the Hunt family line was fairly straightforward. There
Seeing the look of disbelief on Renee's face, Quinton felt bad.To him, Stefan's family had always been enemies he could never forgive. But to Renee, they had once been family.Asking her to believe that her mother-in-law had destroyed her own biological family was unimaginably cruel."It's okay. You don't need to think about it anymore. It's all in the past. I've let it go. I only told you because I could see how much it hurt being kept in the dark. Just pretend you never heard any of this!"Unfortunately, comforting people had never been his strength. This clumsy attempt was the best he could manage."No! I can never let this go!" Renee exclaimed with tears in her eyes.The shock and disbelief in her eyes gradually faded and were replaced by acceptance. As she compared everything Quinton had told her against years of interactions with Francine and the rest of Stefan's family, pieces began falling into place. Questions that had haunted her for years suddenly had answers."I
"W-What?"Renee froze. That came as a complete shock to her. Her mind went blank, and her body felt numb."You heard that right. Our mother and your ex-husband's father were once deeply in love!"Quinton snorted. He felt equal parts bitterness and resignation. "This was what I meant when I said fate played tricks on humans. Their relationship changed the entire course of my life. I've spent years trying not to hate them, but for a long time, I couldn't. At the same time, I know I can't keep hating them!"His clenched fists slowly loosened as he spoke. The rage that consumed him gradually gave way to acceptance.Renee was still reeling from the revelation. Her expression only grew more bewildered. "But how would their relationship affect your life? Are you saying the reason you were taken as a baby had something to do with that?""Jealousy can make a woman do terrible things. The reason I was taken traces back to your former mother-in-law."Quinton clenched his jaw. He was st
Renee thought back to the way her parents had interacted with each other. Their relationship had always seemed harmonious. Her father adored her mother. He treated her like the most precious thing in the world, protecting and cherishing her in every way.Her mother seemed to love him too. She rarely argued with him and never made unreasonable demands.Their marriage reminded Renee of those old-fashioned arranged marriages between well-matched families. It wasn't passionate or dramatic, but there was mutual respect, companionship, and devotion.Still, something always felt missing, but she couldn't explain exactly what it was."From the way you're describing it, they weren't really in love at all. It sounds more like they were maintaining appearances and playing the role of a loving couple, doesn't it?"Quinton cut straight to the point.If that was true, then everything Stefan had told him made much more sense.His mother had already given her heart to someone she could never fo
Quinton was silent for a long time before finally nodding.He knew that, given Renee's relentless curiosity, there was no way he could keep hiding the truth.Besides, as far as he was concerned, he and Renee shared a special bond. They had spent nine months together in their mother's womb. They were connected in a way no one else could understand. There shouldn't have been any barriers between them.Since Stefan had chosen to be completely honest with him, perhaps he had already accepted that this secret would no longer remain a secret."So what's the story behind this painting? Tell me already!"Renee's eyes sparkled with anticipation.She had expected her brother to eventually open up to her, but she never imagined he would give in so easily. It felt like she had suddenly uncovered a hidden treasure.In a way, when someone who had been kept in the dark for so long finally had access to the truth, wasn't that its own kind of treasure?"How much do you really know about Mom and
Renee wasn't dumb. She could hear the hidden meaning behind Stefan's words about 'real damage' and Quinton's remark about fate playing tricks on people.Maybe they were talking about the same thing. Maybe both of them already knew the truth. She was the only one still being kept in the dark. To her, following their lead and living according to their choices felt even worse than being a fool."W-What do you mean? Fate playing tricks on people? It's just an expression."Quinton took a step back. He couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. He felt like a criminal being interrogated."Quinton, stop treating me like I'm dumb, will you? What exactly are you and Stefan hiding from me? If he won't tell me, fine. But are you really going to keep secrets from me too? I'm your sister. Your twin sister. We spent nine months in the same womb together!"Renee pressed forward, alternating between reason and emotion as she chipped away at Quinton's defenses.Just as she'd said, Stefan might be i
Suddenly, Justin became mature and stopped making jokes. He talked steadily and was no longer emotional. It filled Austin with worry because it made him feel like Justin was an emotionless robot.In comparison, he liked Justin's previous self better. At that time, Justin was simple and sentimental.
"Do you want to leave?" Stefan saw Renee. He was calm, indifferent, and distant. His behavior stung Renee. Renee could easily recall their lovey-dovey memories. They had both risked their lives for each other and vowed to be together forever. They had two children, too. Yet, they ended up as
A minute passed by. Renee was holding the phone but had yet to get a call back from Justin. She was not that very confident."Why isn't he calling me back? Should I call him again?" Although she did not want to be embarrassed, she already did after making six calls. She was fine with it already.
Stefan purposely spoke politely. Awkwardness filled everyone again. The children continued making comments and said a lot of rude things to Stefan."Keep quiet. Didn't you hear me? Are you asking for a beating?" Renee scolded.Renee was gripped with an unspeakable sadness, just like Stefan. She







