Last night, Drake told me something surprising. He said he’d never once stepped foot inside Tristan’s home in all his 25 years.
Back when he was adopted, the entire Clark family strongly opposed it. They believed he’d one day fight them for the family’s wealth. But since they couldn’t win against his grandfather, they had no choice but to accept it and pretend he didn’t exist.”
Drake spent most of his life abroad with his grandfather, so there had never really been conflict. Even when they crossed paths during holidays, it was nothing more than polite small talk.}
But now, having to witness their own son fall victim to the curse, Mr. and Mrs. Clark clearly didn’t want us anywhere near the house.} Mr. Clark wanted to stop us from going, but he was afraid I’d back out and refuse to help. So he forced a stiff smile and invited us into the
car.
When we arrived at the Clark family estate, the first thing I saw caught me completely off guard.}
My parents were on their knees at the front gate.
They looked wrecked. Disheveled hair, torn clothes–nothing like the smug, well–dressed couple from the day before. It was like they’d aged ten years overnight.”
The moment they saw Mr. Clark get out and open the car door for me, their eyes lit up. They shuffled forward on their knees and begged.” “Sweetheart, you’re here! Please, say something nice for us. We didn’t know things would get this bad.“}
But I just coldly replied, “Mr. and Mrs. Shelton, if I recall correctly, didn’t you announce yesterday that I was no longer your daughter? That your only child was Bianca?”
The moment I said her name, Mom snapped, “Don’t mention that little bitch! She couldn’t even save Tristan and ended up dragging us down with her! We have no daughter like that!“}
Dad chimed in with a fawning smile, “That’s right. You’re our only daughter now. From now on, we won’t care about her. Let her rot on her own!”
Their words made my stomach churn.
In my past life, they betrayed me for Bianca. Now, they were betraying her just to crawl back to me.
That was when I finally understood. They never loved either of be called parents.
“Sorry, I don’t recognize such self–centered people as family. Now
They only loved themselves. Selfish people like them didn’t deserve to
Ove,” I replied.
Without sparing them a second glance, I walked straight through the Clark estate gates.
Inside, I found Bianca kneeling at Tristan’s bedside. Her body was wrapped in blood–stained gauze. She was clearly badly injured, but still clinging to her performance.
Meanwhile, Tristan lay under a thick blanket. But even that couldn’t hide the disturbing bulge on his chest. Well, there it was–true wealth coudn’t be hidden. It only made people try harder to pretend.”
I gave Bianca a long, mocking look. “Well, well… little sister. Looks like you lost our bet.”
Her dull, defeated eyes instantly lit up with rage.W
“I didn’t lose!” she snapped. “Drake isn’t even a real member of the Clark family. That bet doesn’t count!“>
She jabbed a finger toward Drake, voice shrill with hate. “You set me up, didn’t you?! You two planned this together!”
She then turned to Clark couple and said, “Mom, Dad, don’t believe them! They just want to wipe out your bloodline and take over everything!”
Suddenly, Mr. Clark struck her across the face, eyes burning with fury. “Shut up! Don’t you dare call us ‘Mom‘ and ‘Dad!”
He then pointed at her with trembling hands and continued, “Yesterday, your sister said you couldn’t save my son. My wife wanted to swap you out of the marriage, but you and your vile parents kept interfering! Now look what you’ve done to my son! Our family doesn’t want a daughter–in–law like you. Stay on your knees!“}
Right then, Tristan slowly opened his eyes. The moment he saw me, his face lit up with desperate hope.
“Eloise, you came. You’re here to save me?“N
Bianca crawled to his–side, tears brimming. “Honey, you’re awake! I’ve thought it through. No matter what happens to you, I’ll still love you I won’t ever leave you.”
