Chapter 8%
To protect Hannah and Lily, she had no choice but to turn a blind eye.§
“Mom… Where is Hannah? Where did she go?“}
“What does that have to do with you?” Sinclair’s mother kept her eyes on the flowers before her, trying to steady her voice. “Hannah will live a better life without you. Don’t bother her anymore.“>
Ethan’s eyes reddened, as if all his strength had drained away. He collapsed onto the sofa and said in a low voice, “Mom, why did you insist I marry her? You knew what she was like…“}
“Shut up!”
Ethan’s mother snapped, unable to hold back any longer. The scissors in her hand flew out, just grazing his cheek and leaving a bright red
mark.
Her chest heaved with anger as she gasped, “Ethan, you fool! Do you really think Hannah needed you so badly that she would drug and seduce you?“”
“It was you! You got drunk and broke into her room!” Her fury gave her a headache. Clutching her chest, she spoke slowly, “I’m telling you, Hannah hated you with every fiber of her being! You stole her innocence and shamelessly threw every dirty word at her!“}
“I wanted to tell you the truth, but Hannah wouldn’t let me. She was afraid you’d lose your mind if you knew!“>
After five years, the truth hit him like a blow.
Ethan’s throat tightened, and tears spilled down like a dam breaking.}
All his hatred over the years had been a cruel joke.}
Hannah never resented him. It was he who had destroyed her–and didn’t even realize it.
What had he done?}
RI SI F
He sobbed uncontrollably, burying his face in his arms.
Then suddenly, that night flashed before him.”
He had been drunk and stumbled into her room.}
Hannah woke up, looked at him timidly, and tried to help him go back to bed.
But he, drunk and reckless, kissed her lips, stained red.}
Then everything spiraled out of control.
Hannah struggled, telling him she wasn’t Jessica and begging him to stop. He didn’t, and cruelly destroyed her innocence.}
IIFI
The memory painted despair and pain across his pale face.}
He trembled as he choked out, “Mom, where is Hannah? Please… tell me.“>
He wanted to atone. He wanted to apologize to her face to face.
He didn’t hate her–he just hated being played.”
All these years, he had thought Hannah was like those women outside, ruthless and power–hungry.
But he was wrong–so terribly wrong.
Ethan’s Mother looked at his desperate plea without a shred of mercy. “She doesn’t want to see you. Don’t dirty her eyes.”}
With that, she set down her things and walked upstairs to her room.}
Ethan knew she wouldn’t tell him where Hannah was, so he didn’t linger.”
He would have to find her himself, apologize, and ask for forgiveness.
After leaving, she took Lily to a small seaside town.
Because Lily’s biggest dream was to see the ocean and run freely on the beach.
He bought an old house with the money he had.”
It wasn’t large, but it was enough for him to live alone.”
Next to the house was a homestay, bustling with people coming and going.”
That day, after finishing work at home, he went out to relax.
Passing a fruit stand, he stopped.”
Lily and he both loved mangoes.
He squatted quietly, picking some.”
Then suddenly, he noticed a burning gaze on him.”
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3:31 PM J
