Chapter 9
“What–what supplements? Garrett, I don’t understand what you’re talking about.“%
Tania’s face was a mask of panic.”
But Garrett had expected this. He pulled up the security footage from the old manor’s entrance that day.
Tania, always so brazen and untouchable, had forgotten there were cameras at the gate.%
“All these years, you’ve played the fragile victim in front of me, pretending to care so much about Renee when I’m watching. But behind my back, you bullied her relentlessly!”
“If it weren’t for the things you said at the birthday party, I might never have realized how two–faced you really are.”
“Because of your lies, I went along with ending Renee’s pregnancies over and over again–now she can never have children. That’s on me, I accept that. But you? You bribed people around me, you interfered with those children…, and you went out of your way to torment Renee, even when she was no threat to you at all. Why couldn’t you just leave her alone?!”
Now that she’d been exposed, Tania was at a loss for words. Tears streaming down her face, she pleaded desperately:%
“Garrett, I–I had my reasons. The spiritual advisor I consulted told me I had to take those… supplements, if I ever wanted a son. Only a son would secure my place in this family. I didn’t have a choice, I swear.“}
“Enough!” Garrett’s voice was cold as steel. “All you care about is your own status–being chairwoman, having the perfect title. Did you ever think about Renee? Why did you tell her that I gave you those children? Wasn’t it just to force her out, so I’d be yours without question?”
“You want a son, you want to be chairwoman? Tania, I’ll make sure you know exactly what it’s like to lose what you care about most.“%
Garrett clapped his hands. A group of men in white coats came in, faces hard and merciless./
Tania’s eyes filled with terror.!
“What–what are you doing? I’m your nephew’s wife, the future chairwoman! I’m carrying your family’s blood–you can’t touch me!“%
Garrett’s smile was cold as the devil’s.
“Chairwoman? You drove Renee away and thought you’d get that seat? Take out whatever filth is inside her. No anesthesia. Then make sure she swallows it–alive,“1⁄2
The men dragged Tania away. Moments later, her screams echoed through the entire estate.Д
….
When Iris and I traveled to Iceland, we both fell in love with the northern lights.
That dazzling, unearthly beauty–no matter how skilled the photographer, a camera could never capture even a fraction of their brilliance./
After some discussion, we decided to stay here for a while and start working on our screenplay.%
Besides writing, I’d found a new passion: sea fishing. I often sold my catch at the harbor for some extra cash.
One day, Iris and I were haggling with a notoriously stingy local over a fish.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out:2
“I’ll take all the seafood you’ve got.”
Garrett was standing right in front of me.”
He looked at me with a longing, almost reverent gaze, as if afraid that one wrong move would shatter the moment like a dream.
“Renee,” he finally breathed, “I’ve finally found you.“%
Before I could say a word, Iris always ready for a fight–stepped in front of me, shielding me from Garrett and laying into him with a fury:
“You bastard! How dare you show your face here? Haven’t you done enough to ruin Renee’s life? Get lost! I’d rather feed this to the seagulls than sell it to you.”2
Garrett, always so proud, didn’t even try to defend himself as she tore into him. He looked at me, guilt and desperation written all over his face.
“Renee, I know I’m a monster. I don’t deserve forgiveness. But could we talk–just the two of us?”
I stared at him, my voice cold.
“Garrett, whatever we had–it’s gone. We’re not the kind of people who can just ‘talk things over anymore.“%
“You don’t need to apologize. Just go.“%
But Garrett stubbornly shook his head.”