CHAPTER 51

Chapter 51

Rihanna smiled as Isabella tilted her head and said, “I told you that you look good when you smile. You should smile more often.”

Rihanna remained silent, focusing on washing the fruits, while Isabella ignored her.

They busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing fruit juice before bringing it to the coffee table, each with a glass in hand.

On that autumn evening, a slight chill lingered as they snuggled on the couch, wrapping themselves in a light blanket, and sipping fruit juice. Sleep cluded them as both had someone on their minds.

Finding solace in conversation, Isabella soon realized that Rihanna’s tale was a poignant one.

Rihanna was only three years old and Coles nine when their mother passed away.

Their stepmother, Karen, later entered their lives, showing exaggerated respect in the presence of their father, Gregory Vaughn, and others, almost as if she were a servant, fearing any criticism of her treatment of the stepchildren.

However, behind the scenes, Rihanna endured constant intimidation and mistreatment, her injuries concealed beneath her garments. She grew increasingly timid and fearful, trembling at the sight of Karen.

Rihanna displayed complete submission to Coles, always deferential. For a significant period, Coles remained unaware of the mistreatment Rihanna endured. When he eventually discovered it, he was filled with shock and outrage. He rebelled, publicly exposing Karen’s true nature. Unfortunately, he fell into her trap, leading to a severe beating from Gregory.

Subsequently, when Karen became pregnant, she frequently expressed concerns that Rihanna’s actions startled her unborn child. Consequently, Gregory’s affection shifted from reprimands to physical violence, gradually erasing the love he once showed her.

As Coles defended her and confronted Gregory with anger, he faced harsher punishments.

Over time, Rihanna transitioned from a cherished little princess to a fragile, emotionally vulnerable individual, while Coles, driven by his desire to shield her, his resentment toward Gregory’s injustices, and the rebellion of adolescence, neglected his studies. He became hot- tempered and fell in with a rough crowd, all in his quest to become a hero to safeguard Rihanna.

The birth of a daughter by Karen brought great joy to Gregory. However, Karen’s tendency to see unclean things and the constant crying of the baby caused unrest in the household.

Upon advice from Karen’s maternal family, Gregory consulted a home geomancy coven. The coven deemed Rihanna a jinx, destined to bring calamity upon her parents. They attributed her mother’s demise to her influence, predicting Gregory was next. However, because of Karen’s arrival, troubles befell her and her daughter first. Consequently, Gregory’s business would falter, leading to the family’s eventual downfall under Rihanna’s perceived curse, ultimately resulting in ruin and demise.

Soon after, one of Gregory’s ventures indeed failed, resulting in significant losses. That reinforced his belief in the coven’s words.

Even before turning seven, Rihanna was deemed a jinx, facing disdain from housekeepers who blamed her for any mishaps.

Feeling sensitive and internally wounded, Rihanna grew increasingly timid.

Coles was the sole protector who fiercely shielded her, enduring torment after torment on her behalf, offering comfort and cherishing her. He was the only source of warmth she had.

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Chapter 51

With Rihanna hospitalized once more, Gregory decided to send her to a convent to seek atonement for their family’s sins and blessings for

their entire household.

On the day Rihanna was sent away, Coles was confined.

Rihanna spent five years in the convent until Coles found her.

The abbess of the convent, a distant relative of Karen, was an elderly woman devoted to her monastic practice.

During those five years, Rihanna spoke to very few people and withdrew completely, refusing to communicate. The only good thing was that nobody beat or threatened her.

When Rihanna was found, she had lost the ability to speak, showing no recognition toward anyone. Her daily activities revolved around daydreaming and sleeping. Despite being twelve years old, she looked like a seven- or eight–year–old child, thin and emaciated.

Coles brought her to Atharia, personally attending to her. It had taken him three years to coax Rihanna into uttering her first word, which was

“brother.”

Rihanna remembered that day when the 21–year–old Coles cried and held her in his arms, weeping bitterly.

Since then, Coles had always kept her by his side until she graduated from a university in Atharia. He sent her back to their homeland, enabling her to slowly adapt to her new life.

Isabella listened in astonishment.

Rihanna wore simple cotton pajamas, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. Bathed in the soft light, her delicate face carried an air of

sorrow and aloofness.

Rihanna possessed a remarkable beauty, exuding a classical and distinctive aura. Despite her aloof demeanor, tinged with coldness and melancholy, she stirred feelings of both pity and a desire to nurture her.

She hardly engaged with anyone besides Isabella.

Isabella once believed that if she didn’t initiate a conversation with Rihanna, she might go an entire week without speaking,

Rihanna had spent five years in silence, taking three more years to regain her ability to communicate.

Unable to suppress her emotions, Isabella leaned in and hugged Rihanna. Though initially resistant, Rihanna quietly acquiesced to the

embrace.

“Coles must have suffered greatly during those years searching for you,” Isabella remarked, sensing that Coles might have borne even more

pain than Rihanna.

Rihanna nodded gently in Isabella’s arms.

Upon fully recovering, Rihanna learned from those around Coles about his frantic search efforts after she was taken away. He acted like a madman, but he was just a 13–year–old child, with limited abilities. Consequently, he confronted Gregory recklessly and engaged in trouble outside.

Gregory, who had become a prominent figure, felt deep shame to have a son like Coles. Consequently, Coles was unjustly labeled as mentally unstable and secretly confined to a psychiatric hospital, enduring four years of mental and physical torment alongside adult patients. Despite numerous attempts, each escape effort during those four years ultimately failed.

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Chapter 51

Finally, during a power outage at the psychiatric hospital, he managed to escape, but exhaustion overcame him, and he collapsed in an alley where two gangs were fighting. Mistakenly, one of the gangs rescued him..

His rescuers turned out to be his estranged uncle, banished from the family by their grandfather.

With his uncle’s help, Coles found Rihanna and took her to Atharia. By then, she was barely recognizable. Although his uncle urged him to abandon her, Coles refused, opting instead to comply with his uncle’s demand to become his successor.

Over the years, Coles had cared for Rihanna while managing his uncle’s underworld and legitimate enterprises, leading a precarious life.

In silence, Isabella embraced Rihanna, sighing at the siblings‘ fate, thinking, “Rihanna was fortunate to have such a protective brother.

Rihanna whimpered, “Coles has suffered too much. I always worry that something will happen to him. I often dream of him drenched in blood. Just now, I dreamt that he passed away.”

Isabella patted her and offered reassurance, saying, “Don’t think too much. He’ll be fine. After all you’ve endured, it would be too unjust if anything happened to him. Rihanna, don’t fret. Our mother is watching over us from heaven. They won’t allow harm to befall us.”

Rihanna leaned on Isabella’s shoulder and said, “I don’t remember my mother anymore. I was too young when she passed away. After five years of inhuman suffering, Coles is all I have.”

Isabella gently patted Rihanna and remarked, “If I were in your shoes, I would only remember Coles, too. Having a brother like him would be truly wonderful.”

The

regretful tone in Isabella’s voice brought some solace to Rihanna. “Didn’t Edmund mention he’s your brother? And based on what his parents said over the phone, it seems like your families are very close.”

Isabella smiled bitterly and sighed. “I can’t recall anymore. Before I turned 12, all I remembered was my mother and grandfather’s will and the marriage contract.”

“Marriage contract?” Rihanna asked, surprised.

Isabella nodded and said, “But it’s over now. I remember my mother and grandfather arranged a betrothal for me when I was a child. However, not long ago, during our engagement party, I saw a video of my fiancé betraying me with one of my college classmates. So, I called off the engagement myself.”

Rihanna sat up in surprise and looked at Isabella.

Playing with a wisp of Rihanna’s hair, Isabella continued, “What’s so surprising? Didn’t I tell you before? I’m used to being mistreated. My last name is Sorenson, but my father’s is Ingram, even though I’m his biological daughter. He married into the Sorenson family, so after my grandfather and mother passed away, my Sorenson lineage became a source of shame for him. As the heiress of the Sorenson Multimedia, I’m unable to change my last name. My mother passed away when I was 12. Later, my stepmother came in, and Wonne, who is only two years younger than me, is my father’s biological daughter.”

Rihanna was surprised, and inquired, “Your father, he…?”

Isabella nodded and continued, “He betrayed my mother years ago. Due to a lack of affection and his own shame, whenever my stepmother and Yvonne bullied me, he looked the other way. Eventually, Yvonne pushed me down the stairs, causing head injuries and a broken leg. I spent almost a year in the hospital recovering, but many memories were lost.”

Isabella added, “After that, I was sent to a boarding school. I suspect that’s when my father informed others that I was sent overseas for studies. Perhaps many of my mother’s friends still think that way, but I have no memory of them, nor do I know who else is still searching for

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me like Edmund’s family,”

She said with a bitter smile, “But it doesn’t matter. Life is about self–reliance anyway. I’ll graduate next year and study abroad once I’ve saved

enough money.”

“Isabella, do you need money?” Rihanna asked softly.

Isabella nodded and replied, “I already have 150 thousand dollars. I just need another 150 thousand dollars.”

Rihanna stood up, retrieved a card from the drawer beneath the TV cabinet, and handed it to Isabella. “Take this. There’s likely around 1,5 million dollars in there. It should cover your educational expenses,” she said.

Isabella took the card in disbelief. Rihanna acted as if it was nothing

It’s 1.5 million dollars, she thought

“Rihanna, why do you have so much money?” Isabella looked at Rihanna in disbelief.

Rihanna gestured to the drawer and explained, “Those are all the cards and money Coles gave me. He’s skilled at earning money, but I’m uncertain about the exact amount. Since I don’t have many expenses, I’ve kept it all there. Take what you need. Coles believes money can resolve any issue, and I agree. Ensure it doesn’t distract you from your studies.“.

Holding the card, Isabella smiled wryly and remarked, “Money can resolve any issue, but the issue lies in not having money.”

Rihanna looked puzzled and commented, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t have money. I do. Just take it and use it for your studies. Education is important”

Isabella placed the card on the coffee table and replied, “This belongs to you and Coles. I can’t accept

Rihanna grew a bit anxious, pushing the card toward Isabella and reassured, “It’s okay. What’s Coles‘ is mine, and what’s mine is yours!”

I

Isabella took her hand and said with a smile, “Rihanna, I will earn my own money and achieve my goals, step by step!”

Rihanna lowered her gaze, a hint of sadness crossing her face as she spoke. “Isabella, I didn’t mean anything else. I seldom interact with others. You’re my only friend, and I want to help you.”