Chapter 4 Scars

Adeline's bandaged arm was particularly conspicuous. She lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across the room, her eyes as black as ink and devoid of warmth. Gavin entered, his eyes landing on her wound, his brow furrowing deeply. He stopped in his tracks and asked coldly, "Why didn't you mention your injury earlier? Were you trying to make Grandma worry on purpose?" His voice was not loud, but it carried an aggressive tone. Adeline let out a cold laugh in response, "Do I need to report my injuries to you? Or are you saying I don't even have the freedom to get hurt?" Gavin was taken aback by her retort, momentarily speechless. He stared at Adeline's face, which was calm almost to the point of being detached, and felt an inexplicable irritation rise within him. "I'm worried about Grandma," he said gravely, "you're upsetting her with this." "Oh?" Adeline raised an eyebrow, "So, are you really thinking of grandma, or are you just making excuses for yourself?" Her question shattered his facade. Gavin's face shifted subtly, but he couldn't find the words to argue. He knew that no matter what he said, it couldn't change the facts of the past—he had sacrificed Adeline to protect Michelle. The air between them grew tense, the standoff casting an eerie silence over the living room. Adeline glanced down at her bandage and suddenly said, "What's this little injury compared to what I went through in prison three years ago? It's nothing." Her words dropped like a stone into a still lake, rippling through the quiet. "Prison?" Diana exclaimed in shock, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment and guilt at Adeline. "Addie, what... what happened to you in prison?" Adeline didn't answer right away but fell into a brief silence. Memories surged like a tide, dragging her back to that dark and humiliating period. In the damp, gloomy cell, the air was thick with the smell of mold. Adeline sat in the corner, hugging her knees, curling herself into a tight ball. Mocking laughter and venomous stares surrounded her, making escape impossible. "Look, that's the high-born noble, now nothing but a common prisoner!" A fellow inmate scoffed as she kicked a small metal bucket near Adeline. The bucket clattered noisily aside. Adeline lifted her head, her eyes devoid of emotion, just staring intently at the person in front of her. "What, can't handle it?" Another inmate grabbed her by the collar and yanked her up. "Heard you used to be Ms. Layton of the Layton family, what happened to turn you into this?" Before she could respond, a bucket of ice-cold water was dumped over her head, soaking her through. The chill seized her body, but she clenched her teeth and remained silent. "Still got some fight in you," the inmate tossed the bucket aside and walked away. "But don't worry, you'll beg eventually." The memory cut off abruptly. Adeline slowly lifted her head, her gaze settling on Diana's pale, shocked face. "You asked what happened?" she said softly, "Just some 'rules' like being doused with cold water, tripped up, food stolen... nothing much to you, right?" Diana shook her head, tears rimming her eyes, "I didn't know... I really didn't know..." "Didn't know?" Adeline scoffed coldly, "Then who was it that personally sent me there? Who turned a blind eye to everything that happened?" Her words landed like a hammer, leaving everyone speechless. Diana began to tremble, covering her face as she sobbed, yet she didn't dare move closer to Adeline. Gavin, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up, "Enough! Let's not dredge up the past!" His voice was deep and forceful, but it couldn't hide the turmoil and guilt within. He looked at Adeline, his deep eyes flickering with complex emotions before returning to a cold detachment. "It's good you're back now, let's not dwell on the past." "Not dwell on the past?" Adeline repeated, a scornful smile forming on her lips. "Three years ago, when you pushed me down the stairs and sent me to prison, that wasn't what you said." The room fell deathly silent. Gavin's face turned ashen, his fists clenched as he stepped closer to Adeline, "What do you mean? Who pushed you? Don't spout nonsense!" "Whether it's nonsense or not, you know best," Adeline stood her ground, her words sharp as blades. "Who was it that first appeared to testify for someone else, claiming it was just an accident when I was pushed down the stairs?" The accusation was like a thunderclap, stunning everyone, including Michelle, who had been standing in a corner. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, yet she maintained a pitiful look. "Adeline..." Michelle's voice broke, "It was all a misunderstanding back then, I never meant to hurt you..." "Shut up!" Adeline cut her off sharply, her icy gaze piercing Michelle. "Don't disgust me with your fake pity!" The silence that followed was absolute, no one daring to speak further. Gavin, who had been observing silently, finally couldn't hold back, "Enough! Let the past go, stop this now!" "The past?" Adeline sneered, "You think what happened to me is something I can just get over? What future do I have that I can simply move past?" With those words, she turned and left the living room, the stunned eyes of the others following her. The cool night breeze ruffled the flowers in the courtyard and scattered a strand of hair across Adeline's forehead. She stood under the porch, motionless, her silhouette lonely and resolute. Just then, a familiar, cold voice came from behind, "How are you?" Adeline didn't turn around, but she recognized the voice—Christopher. He stood there casually, yet imposingly, in a well-tailored suit, one hand holding a first aid kit, the other in his pocket. "What are you doing here?" her tone was indifferent, devoid of emotion. Christopher smiled slightly, offering the first aid kit. "Heard you were injured; this is for you." "I don't need it," Adeline turned to leave but was stopped by his outstretched hand. He stepped closer, his handsome, refined face dangerous as it almost touched hers, "Three years and still as stubborn." "Let go," Adeline's voice was icy, but Christopher showed no intention of backing down. He spoke softly, "Don't forget, we still have unfinished business." Their eyes met, clashing like blades, sparks flying invisibly between them. At that moment, footsteps from inside broke the tension— It was Gavin, standing at the doorway, his gaze frosty as he looked at Christopher. "Mr. Conor, it's quite late to be visiting our home, don't you think?" Christopher's lips curled into a smile, he tossed the first aid kit to Gavin, then turned and walked away, leaving behind a meaningful remark, "Tell your sister to take good care of herself."