Chapter 6 Adeline, Do You Still Love Him?

Adeline woke with a start from a dream, a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead. In the darkness, her gaze settled on the ceiling, vacant and distant. The room was eerily quiet, save for the mechanical ticking of the clock on the wall. She slowly sat up, hugged her knees, and images from three years ago flashed through her mind—back then, she was the cherished noble young lady of the Layton family, surrounded by adoration, every day like a fairy tale. Now, those memories seemed covered in dust, cold and painful to touch. "How ridiculous," she muttered to herself with a wry smile, "those happy times were nothing but illusions." Rubbing her temples, Adeline tried to dispel the relentless memories. But the more she resisted, the more forcefully they returned. She vividly remembered being sent to prison and how those who should have protected her pushed her into the abyss. "Gavin... Michelle..." she gritted her teeth, her voice low and icy, "I will make you pay." The darkness outside gradually faded as a sliver of morning light sneaked through the gaps in the curtains, bathing everything in a gentle glow. Adeline stared blankly at the light, feeling a faint warmth stirring somewhere inside her—weak, but enough to remind her that she was no longer imprisoned in darkness. Taking a deep breath, she got out of bed and walked to the window to pull open the curtains. The sky over Vale City was a pristine blue, high-rises dotting the landscape with occasional birds flying past; a scene almost enough to make one forget the filth and sin hidden behind the city's facade. "I'm finally back," Adeline said softly, her tone calm but unmistakably resolute. After changing into a simple yet elegant long dress, which Eden had prepared for her—not lavish, but dignified—she smoothed the fabric and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her features were still delicate, but her eyes bore a new coldness and distance. "Ms. Layton, that dress suits you well," Eden said cautiously from beside her. "Madam Teresa will be delighted to see you." Adeline simply nodded, then turned and left the room. The thick carpet in the hallway muffled her steps, but she could almost hear her own heartbeat. The walk to her grandmother's room wasn't long, but for Adeline, it felt like crossing an era. Once, she would have run to her grandmother to be coddled; now, every step was heavy as lead. The moment she pushed open the door, a familiar yet strange scent enveloped her. The room was filled with antique furniture, and an old-fashioned radio broadcasted the news. Sitting in an armchair was Teresa—the person who had loved her most. "Grandma..." Adeline called out softly, her voice trembling. Teresa turned and, upon seeing Adeline, froze for a moment before rushing toward her. "Addie! Is it really you?" They embraced tightly, as if trying to make up for lost years. Teresa's tears flowed unchecked as she touched Adeline's face, "My child, you've suffered..." "Grandma, I'm okay," Adeline reassured her softly, her voice low yet choked. At that moment, Adeline let down all her defenses, showing her most vulnerable side. In this world, only this elderly woman could make her feel warmth for a moment. "What have you been through all these years?" Teresa asked as she poured tea, her voice full of sorrow, "How could they treat you like this?" "Let's not talk about the past," Adeline said, lowering her eyes, her voice as calm as it was cold, "I just want to stay by your side and take care of you now." Hearing this, Teresa's eyes moistened again, and she replied, "You silly, I'm sorry. If I had realized sooner, maybe you wouldn't have had to suffer so much." "It's not your fault," Adeline squeezed Teresa's hand firmly, "It's all fate; what's meant to be will always find a way." As they were talking, footsteps approached. Diana and Michelle entered, both dressed meticulously, as if they had made an effort to look their best. "Mom, we've come to see you," Diana said with a beaming smile, which stiffened slightly when her eyes landed on Adeline. "Oh, isn't this... Adeline, you're back?" "Adeline?" Michelle feigned surprise, stepping forward to clasp Adeline's arm, "Adeline, you've finally decided to come home! We've missed you so much!" The soft touch of her hand made Adeline feel nauseous. She quickly withdrew her arm, her voice distant and cold, "I'd rather not burden you with concern." Her words instantly chilled the room. "Enough!" Teresa frowned, interrupting the confrontation, "Today is a good day; let's not bring up unpleasant matters." Then, turning to Diana and Michelle, she added with a meaningful tone, "Since everyone is here, let's discuss the Conor family's marriage matters. I've heard some rumors about Christopher recently; I wonder if he's still willing to honor his engagement from back then?" This comment dropped like a bomb, making everyone's expression shift subtly. Minutes later, as the conversation shifted to Christopher, all eyes turned to Adeline. Michelle's tearful eyes shone with complex emotions—jealousy, resentment, and an undeniable unease. "Adeline, do you still love Christopher?" she asked tentatively, her tone cautious but sharp. "I don't," Adeline replied briskly, without a hint of hesitation. "I've had no feelings for him since three years ago." Michelle's face turned pale, and Gavin, who had been silent until now, suddenly stood up. His gaze piercing, he demanded in a voice strained to the limit yet filled with anger, "If that's the case, why are you still here? And shouldn't your surname issue have been resolved by now?" The tension in the air ignited, and as it did, it seemed to suit the desires of some—like Christopher, who had been watching everything unfold from the doorway with a knowing smile...