I took out my ID, faced the camera, and let out a deep breath…
“Hello, everyone, I am Nora..”
At this moment, I was so sure!
“Hello, everyone, I am Nora. I am here to publicly accuse Star Media’s Chairwoman Genevieve and President Declan of domestic violence, intentional harm, and various illegal activities including surrogate motherhood.”
With those words, time seemed to freeze.
After a few seconds of stillness, all cameras turned back to me, every reporter documenting this breaking news.
And of course, the tens of millions of online viewers.
“As everyone knows, I am the daughter–in–law of Declan’s family, but I’m also a citizen. So this isn’t justice over family; it’s just clear–cut distinctions between gratitude and grudges.”
I glanced at Genevieve and Declan, who probably still couldn’t believe what I had done.
But now, I no longer cared what they thought.
I had to continue.
F
“Emotionally, ten years ago, as Star Media faced a transition in the traditional media industry, my father, based on business ethics and his long–standing friendship with the late founder of Star Media, Luke Aiden, agreed to marry me into the Aiden family under Genevieve’s strong persuasion. But the Aiden family did not respect or honor me. Instead, they humiliated me for not being able to bear a child for them. Where is the family etiquette of the Aiden family?”
with
“Legally, Declan and I are legally married an official marriage certificate. Yet, my mother–in–law Genevieve, driven by her obsession, disregarded our years of marriage and insisted taking a concubine for my husband. Along with my husband Declan, they repeatedly slandered me for harming lives and even committed verbal and physical violence against me and my family, causing me severe mental and physical harm. Where does the Aiden family place social moral order?”
“Legally,”
I gave Jasper a look, signaling him to release the evidence in the live stream.
“In reality, it is Declan and I who are legally married. Yet, my mother–in–law, Genevieve, driven by her own desires, ignores our long–standing marriage and insists on bringing another woman into our family. During this period, she even conspired with Declan to falsely accuse me of committing heinous acts, subjecting both me and my family to verbal and physical abuse. This has inflicted severe mental and physical harm on me. Can someone tell me where Declan’s family stands on social and moral principles?”
“Legally speaking,”
I gave Jasper a nod, signaling him to present the evidence in the live stream.
“Legally, my mother–in–law, Genevieve, and my husband, Declan, have subjected me to a prolonged period of verbal insults, physical violence, and emotional abuse, even going so far as to restrict my personal freedom. This constitutes severe domestic abuse. Moreover, Genevieve, in her obsession with continuing Declan’s family line, has harmed innocent people and signed surrogacy contracts, thereby depriving other women of their reproductive rights…”
At this moment, the evidence paused on several surrogacy contracts–nearly three or four over the past decade.
I was trembling.
“Marriage shouldn’t be like this…”
I looked up helplessly to the sky as tears streamed down my face.
Later, amidst the chaos, my memory blurred. I only remember collapsing to the ground, with Jasper cradling me in his arms.
I adjusted my position to find comfort and sank deeply into his embrace.
At that moment, his warmth enveloped me completely.
12
- 12.
“Feeling hungry?”
Jasper stood before me, holding a bowl of egg custard.
It was noon, and the sun was shining perfectly.
I sat in the wheelchair, basking in the garden’s sunlight.
“Could you pass me the soy sau
Jasper looked taken aback.
I quickly explained, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like it. I’m just worried about…”
Jasper chuckled.
I was puzzled as to why he was laughing until he quietly revealed a small bottle of soy sauce from behind. “I was worried about getting the amount wrong, too much or too little, and you not enjoying it. So, I brought it for you. You can add it yourself, and I’ll take it back afterward.”
I looked at him.
A gentle breeze blew, causing the hem of his shirt to flutter softly.
Later, he informed me:
Adeline and that woman are safe.
The so–called master who performed the ritual was handed over to the authorities for fraud and causing serious injury through superstition.
As for Genevieve and Declan,
They were charged with several crimes, including intentional harm, illegal detention, illegal medical practices, and trafficking of women and children, resulting in sentences of 20 and 15 years, respectively.
And Genevieve’s prized Star Media?
It went bankrupt after being targeted by an investment firm, and Jasper’s Group acquired it at a loss, honoring its long–standing contributions to the industry.
As for me,
I still look forward to love and will continue to cherish myself.
Because these ten years are just a small chapter in the long story of my life.
That’s all.
