Chapter 21
Aurora barged into the room and, as expected, saw Wenity bring lifelessly on the bed.
Her body was covered in bruises and welts. Her arms and face hore darkpeople marks, her lips were smeared with blood, and her disheveled clothes revealed lash
marks beneath.
“Mom!” Sebastian shed toned before collapsing at her side, crying uncontrollably.
Aurora’s gare darkened, her chest tightening painfully.
They had only parted at noon, and Wendy had been perfectly fine. How could things have deteriorated so quickly?
“Bash? Don’tcry, Bash, I’malay. Don’t be scared ”
Hearing Sebastian’smes, Wendy snuggled to open hereges, hermice weak and fritidous.
“Mom! Aurora, please save her!” Sebastian pleaded, tears streaming down histare,
Taking a deep breath, Aurora stepped forward, carefully helping Wendy sit up:
“Aurora“Why are you back” you shouldn’t be here! You need to leave we right now! Wrely panicked the moment she recognized her daughter, her hands trembling as she gripped aurora’s ans
“‘ll take you to the hospital, Aurora insisted, trying to keep her voice steady.
“No! Not to the hospital, Aurora. That would cause too much trouble “Wendy pleaded, herred–rimmed eyesbulomming v with tears. “I know you mean well, but going to the hospital will only worsen things Ryan and the rest of them. They won’t let me off. I’m more worried about you and Sebastian. They won’t spare
emra understood Wendy’s tears all too well
It news of domestic abuse got out, Ryan’s reputation would be ruined, and the entire les family would be dragged down with him. Rosalie treasured the family’s wealth and status more than her own life. If this scandal came to light, Sebastian would surely suffer the consequences, and even the Quigley family would face relentless pressore from the Kleins
“I’m fine. Just need a few days to rest, and rl be back to normal.”
Wendy struggled to her teet. She was clearly used to this by now. Being the wife of a wealthy family looked glamorous on the nutside, but what went on behind closed doors was another story. She didn’t dare go back to her parents and tell them about it.
“You’re just going to keep putting up! th this?” Aurora’s voice was sharp as she looked at the bruised and battered Wendly
“Do you think staying quiet will magically make him stop? The more you endure, the more power you give him. If you can’t stand up for yourself, at least think about Sebastian! He’sgrowing up watching his mother suffer like this. What kind of future does that give him? Do you want him to live like you? silent, submissive, házely scraping by under Alexander’s and Whitney’s thumbs?
back and stand her ground, but
Looking at Wendy’s broken expression, Aurora telt a mix of frustration and sorrow. Over the years, she had begged her mom to the years of manipulation and abuse from the Klein family—and Byan in particular–had completely worn her down
Wendy wasn’t always like this. Aurora still remembered a time when Wendy was confident, full of life, and ambitious. At a young age, she became a department manager, eaming the respect and admiration of many. That was what Bryce had seen when he chose her as the Klein family’s daughter–in–law.
But after the wedding, everything changed. Wendy gave up her career to become a
housewife and…
Aurora’s words hir Wendy like a hammer. She trembled, whether from painot fear, and tears silently rolled downbercheek. She instinctively reached for Sebastian, holding him close
Aurora continued, her tone sharp and unrelenting, “If Sebastian mattered to them even alittle, they wouldn’t be treating you like this. They don’t care about you, Moin. They never have. Wake up! This so–called ‘family of prestige–what’s prestigious about them? Do you really think your silence and sacrifices are helping
Herwords struck a deep nerve, leaving wendy visibly sluken
“You need to stand on your own two feet, Mom. – Aurora said finnly. “That’s the only way to change things for Sebastian and the only way to protect him. When: you’re strong, they’ll have no choice but to respect you. You merea star at your job back then. What happened to the old you?”
Wendy shook her head, her voice cracking with desperation. “Aurora…I… I don’t know how to do that anymore. I levenstry to fight back, they’ll take Bash away from me. Do you understand? He’s threatened me before. He said he can make me disappear or, worse, prove I’munlit as a mother.
“And you know he can! With the Klein family’s influence, what chance do I have? Even the Quigleys are at their mercy
She Leuke into subs, clutching Sebastian tightly. Her voice waschoked with pas
“The last time I Ined to resist, be nearly had me committed to a pupiliward. He got a doctecto write a report saying I was mentally unstable. Do you know what
want? It would’ve meant I wouldn’t even love the right to raise Sebastian.
“If I Jevnice, Hary‘ lli kergeldes from me. And without me, do you think Alexander and Whitney would let him live a decent lite? It sally moves in Sebastian’s life will
Aurora’s heart sank when she w
Η
naw the raw despair in Wanaly’s
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Wendy whispered, gripping Angora’s wrist. o live your life. Be happy with Owen. You’re lucky you got out of this hellhole. Don’t let them drag you back in. Ryan is furious because you’ve escaped his control, and that’s why he’s lashing out at it.
“Did something happen with Alexander or Whitney? What happened to Stella? Rosalie came back Juming like a madwortɔn..” ||
Wendy’sgriptightened, and her voice trembled with urgency. “Aurora, just stay away. Don’t come back. Please, for your own sake. Being far away from us will be a good thing for you.”
Chapter 21
Aurora’s chest felt heavy, and her bright eyes darkened with cold resolve.
“So, that’s what’s going on,” she thought.
she had ignored the calls from Ryan and Rosalie, refusing to be their pawn. But now, it seemed like Whitney had complained to them, and Ryan had taken out his anger on Wendy. They thought they could use Wendy to manipulate her.
“It seems they’re trying to force me out of hiding. Well, we’ll see if they can pull that off,” Aurora thought.
Aurora’s lips curled into a bitter smile. If Whitney thought she could push her around, she clearly hadn’t suffered enough yet.
Taking a deep breath, Aurora met Wendy’s tear–filled gaze and said softly but firmly, “Trust me, Mom. Things will get better. If you’re ready to fight back, I’ll find a way to help you leave this life behind with Bash.”
Wendy froze, her tear–streaked face filled with disbelief. “Do you really think that’s possible?
Aurora nodded with determination Leaning closer, she whispered, “Get yourself together. Give me a little time. I promise you, I’ll make sure you and Bash can leave with your dignity intact. I’ll get you everything you deserve
Wendy’s hands shook as she clung to Aurora, tears streaming down her face again. “No… Aurora, don’t do anything reckless. All I want is for you to stay far away from here. Don’t let us hold you back. Please, just leave. Run as far as you can, and don’t look back. You don’t know what they’re capable of!”
Wendy’s words carried a weight of hopelessness, but Aurora’s resolve only grew stronger, if the Klein family thought they could keep her chained down, they were about to leam just how wrong they were.
