Chapter 2

Adora felt a sharp sting in her chest at her mother’s reaction.

She knew she smelled terrible, but how could she not?

Three years of sleeping in a pigsty embedded the stench into her very skin, sinking deep into her pores.

The female officer who accompanied her had helped her wash her hair and scrub her body, but no matter how hard she tried, the foul odor refused to fade.

Lilian hesitated, struggling to keep her expression neutral.

After a moment, she forced a stiff smile and said, "It’s good you’re back… you must have suffered a lot these past few years."

Hearing her mother’s words, Adora felt a small sense of comfort.

Her eyes burned, her heart heavy with grievance.

One of the officers pulled out his phone.

"Let’s take a picture together. That way, we can officially close the case."

The female officer, seeing Adora’s emotions running high, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Take a photo with your family. The nightmare is over now, and things will get better."

Adora took a few steps forward.

The guests watching from the sidelines instinctively stepped back.

The Matthews couple, standing stiffly, watched as their daughter moved toward them.

Their entire bodies tensed.

Every instinct screamed at them to run.

But before they could, the officers flanked them on either side, subtly blocking their escape and nudging them toward Adora.

"Aren’t there more family members?" one officer called out, waving toward the newly engaged couple.

"Come on, let’s get a full family photo."

Ruby visibly trembled.

She glanced at Eugene, her lips moving soundlessly before she whispered, "Eugene, I’m scared…"

Eugene tightened his arm around her, his voice low and reassuring. "As long as you don’t touch her, you’ll be fine. The officers are right here."

With that, he took her hand and led her forward, despite her obvious reluctance.

The moment Eugene got close enough to truly see Adora, his expression darkened.

His gaze flickered with something unreadable—part shock, part pain, but mostly unfamiliarity.

In the past, the moment Adora laid eyes on him, she would light up, throwing herself into his arms like a carefree butterfly—radiant, confident, impossible to ignore.

But now…

She looked dull, lifeless.

The vibrancy she once carried was gone, buried beneath layers of exhaustion and hardship.

Her sunken features only made her eyes appear larger, but instead of their usual spark, her gaze was empty.

It seemed the rumors weren’t exaggerated after all.

During her three years in captivity, Adora was likely passed around by countless men, broken beyond repair—both physically and mentally.

There wasn’t a single face showing joy or relief when the family photo was taken.

Once the officers finished giving a few final reminders, they got into their car and left.

The Matthews couple watched them drive off before slowly turning back to their long-lost daughter, their faces twisted with uncertainty.

They had never imagined that Adora would actually return.

Now, the biggest problem was—what were they supposed to do with her?

“Um… Adora, come in,” Lilian finally said, forcing a smile as she gestured stiffly toward the house.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t summon the joy she once felt for her eldest daughter.

Truthfully, she didn’t even want Adora stepping inside.

But she was her biological child—kicking her out would be abandonment, a crime in itself.

Adora didn’t hesitate.

She turned and walked toward the estate.

As she passed the newly engaged couple, her steps faltered.

Her gaze landed on her sister, dressed in a couture gown, looking as ethereal as a goddess.

For a brief moment, something flickered across her face before her expression steadied.

"Adora…" Ruby called softly, her voice uncertain.

She shifted her weight uneasily, instinctively stepping back.

Adora studied her in silence, scanning her from head to toe.

“You look beautiful today,” she said finally. “Congratulations.”

Ruby let out a nervous breath. “Thank you, Adora.”

Adora’s lips curved slightly. “Are you scared now that I’m back?”

The color drained from Ruby’s face.

Her eyes darted away, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her gown. "I—I don’t know what you mean…"

Adora let out a quiet laugh, but there was no warmth in it. "You really don’t?"

Her voice remained calm, but there was something sharp beneath the surface and simmering in the depths of her eyes.

"You know exactly what you did, don’t you? I treated you like my own sister, and yet you had the heart of a snake."

For three long years, she replayed that night over and over, trying to make sense of it.

At first, she was devastated—shocked, unable to believe the truth.

But as time passed, heartbreak turned to something darker.

Hatred.

It grew inside her, festering, feeding off her suffering, snowballing until it became the fire that kept her alive.

"Adora… I—I don’t understand what you’re talking about," Ruby stammered, her voice laced with forced innocence, her eyes wide with feigned hurt.

The tension in the air was palpable, and the watching guests began murmuring among themselves.

Sensing the unease, Lilian quickly stepped forward, her brows drawing together.

"Adora, what are you saying to your sister?"

She sighed, her voice carrying a note of exhaustion.

"Do you have any idea how much guilt and remorse Ruby has carried these past three years? She never stopped blaming herself.

“She told us everything. You were taken because you tried to save her. The guilt nearly destroyed her.

“She was so traumatized that she had to see a psychologist for two years just to recover."

"Mom, that night I—" Adora turned to her mother, ready to explain, but before she could get another word out, Ruby suddenly let out a soft cry.

"Ouch!"

She clutched her stomach, her face twisting in pain.

Eugene immediately reached for her, his voice laced with concern. "Ruby, what’s wrong?"

"I… my stomach hurts," she murmured weakly, her body leaning against him.

Lilian hurried forward, worry etched across her face.

"I told you not to drink, but you wouldn’t listen! It must be your gastritis acting up again. Come inside and rest."

Theodore took the opportunity to turn to the guests, forcing a smile. "Everyone, let’s head inside. The ceremony is about to begin."

But before he could finish, several guests exchanged awkward glances and quickly found excuses to leave.

Who would dare stay?

Everyone had heard the rumors that Adora was tainted, and worse, there were whispers of disease.

Who would risk sitting at the same table with her and eating the same food?

Lilian was about to follow her youngest daughter inside, but seeing the sudden exodus, she turned back in a desperate attempt to keep the guests from leaving.

However, it was useless.

Within moments, more than half of them were gone.

Adora watched it all unfold, her expression unreadable, but inside, she felt nothing but cold indifference.

So, this was how it was.

This was what it meant to fall from grace—to go from being the center of admiration to someone people avoided like the plague.

Not just the guests, but even the family who once claimed to love her behaved the same way.

Her own mother, her father, the people who raised her for twenty years rejected her too.

But why?

She had never given birth and never been sick.

Where had these rumors come from?

Could it have been Ruby?

Had her own sister orchestrated all of this just to ruin her and make sure she was despised, cast out by society?

Meanwhile, Ruby had already reached the steps, but as she glanced back and saw guests leaving one after another, her heart twisted with frustration.

Her carefully planned engagement celebration was crumbling before her eyes, all because of Adora’s sudden return.

Tears welled up as she stood there, frozen, overwhelmed by grievance.

Lilian saw her younger daughter fighting back tears and immediately turned to comfort her.

"Ruby, don’t cry… We can always reschedule the engagement party and make it even grander, even more extravagant."

Ruby wiped her eyes, looking delicate and sorrowful as she leaned into Eugene’s embrace.

With a gracious, self-sacrificing tone, she said, "It’s okay… Having my sister back is what truly matters. This should be a happy occasion—a double blessing.

“My little grievance is nothing in comparison."

"You’re such a good child. You’re so understanding."

Lilian’s voice softened with affection as she looked at her youngest daughter, but when she turned to Adora, the distance between them was painfully clear.

Then, as if suddenly finding someone to blame, she frowned.

"Adora, why didn’t you tell us you were coming back?"

Adora was momentarily stunned before a bitter laugh almost escaped her lips.

Was this a joke?

She thought back to what the officers told her and replied in a quiet, measured tone.

"The police said they called you several times. You thought it was a scam and hung up on them."

Lilian stiffened, momentarily speechless.

Sensing the tension, Eugene quickly stepped in, his voice gentle. "Ruby’s right. No matter what, it’s a good thing that Adora is back.

“The engagement can always be postponed. Madam Lilian, don’t be upset with her."

"Exactly," Ruby chimed in, playing the role of the considerate sister.

"Adora has already been through so much. She’s suffered enough."

Then, as if the thought had just occurred to her, she added casually, "But… where will she be staying now that she’s back?

“Given her condition, it wouldn’t be safe to risk the whole family—"

Adora’s gaze snapped to her, her voice sharp and unyielding. "If you claim I’m sick, show me proof."

Ruby flinched, her eyes flickering with panic before she quickly masked it.

Lowering her voice, she muttered, "How could you not be? After spending years in a place like that… besides, we saw the reports at the station…"

Adora cut her off before she could finish.

"And the child? If you’re so sure I had one, bring them to me. Let me see them."

A tense silence fell over the room.

Even Peter Matthews, the heir of the family, could no longer stay quiet.

His expression was heavy as he spoke. "Adora, we know what happened to you. We understand your pain, and we feel for you. But you don’t have to lie to us."

Adora turned to her brother, staring at him in disbelief.

Disappointment and heartbreak surged in her chest, weighing down like a stone.

There was a time when her brother doted on her endlessly, indulging her every whim without question.

But now, he looked at her as if she were something venomous and dangerous.

"I’m telling the truth," Adora said firmly.

"Before I came back, the officers took me for a medical checkup. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them. Or better yet, I can go to the hospital and get tested again."

She turned to her family, making one last attempt to prove her innocence.

But all she got in return were distant, skeptical gazes.

Doubt was written all over their faces.

Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, Ruby looked up at Eugene.

"Eugene, isn’t your uncle a doctor? He must know the signs of someone with… well, that disease. Why don’t we have him check Adora?"

"Right! That’s a great idea. I completely forgot about him." Eugene nodded enthusiastically before glancing around the room.

His eyes landed on a man sitting in the living room, his presence imposing despite his silence.

"Uncle!" Eugene called out respectfully.

Adora frowned.

Eugene’s uncle? Since when did he have an uncle?

Before she could piece it together, a tall, commanding figure emerged from the villa.

His features were sharp and defined, his gaze piercing and unreadable.

There was a quiet intensity about him—one that exuded authority and an air of untouchable indifference.