Chapter 105
Chapter 3
Mom stiffened instantly.
“What truth?” she demanded. “Arden-who hurt you p>
I sat down slowly, almost amused.
“I don’t know,” I said, turning to Celeste. “You tell me. Who exactly hurt me p>
“Don’t be scared, Arden,” Celeste said gently, her eyes filling with sympathetic tears.
“What happened to you… it wasn’t your fault p>
She hesitated, as if struggling to continue.
“I found out that a few months ago, you were dragged into an alley by several men p>
“They… did things to you p>
She sighed and reached out, as if to take my hand.
“At first, it wasn’t your fault. Anyone could see that. But Arden… how could you be so careless afterward p>
She shook her head, her voice trembling.
“If it was forced the first time, why did you keep seeing them later p>
“People living nearby said they saw those men coming and going from your place all the time p>
She lowered her head, stopping at just the right moment, as if unable to go on.
“That’s enough!” Dad exploded, his face twisted with rage. “How can you be so shameless p>
Mom clutched her chest, pointing at me with a trembling hand.
“Arden… tell me this isn’t true p>
Julian glared at me, fury burning in his eyes. “Our family doesn’t have someone like you p>
“Get out. Right now p>
I looked at their distorted faces and felt nothing but absurdity.
Even if something like that had truly happened, shouldn’t a family’s first instinct be concern?
Not condemnation?
Chapter 3
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“Arden,” Celeste said softly, her eyes fixed on me, “Even if you made mistakes… I believe you won’t keep going
down the wrong path p>
She spoke earnestly.
“As long as you admit it, cut ties with those men, Dad and Mom will forgive you p>
I laughed quietly and looked straight at her.
“I don’t know any of these men,” I said calmly. “Why would I admit to something that never happened p>
“And besides-Celeste,” I added, “didn’t I just tell you? False accusations have consequences p>
“Why do you keep saying that, Arden p>
She forced out a few tears, hands trembling as she pulled out her phone and held the screen up for everyone
to see.
“If I’m lying,” she sobbed, “then how do you explain these p>
On the screen were photos of me in revealing clothes, lying intimately among several men.
As if that weren’t enough, she swiped again.
Another photo appeared-me holding a child.
Dad and Mom’s faces went completely dark.
“These images are fake,” I said evenly.
“And I’ll say it one last time-false accusations always come back around p>
“I’m not accusing you of nothing! I p>
“That’s fine,” I interrupted calmly. “Just don’t regret it later p>
With karmic backlash on my side, I had nothing to fear.
She’d spoken the words herself. Now she could deal with the consequences.
Dad, Mom, and Julian stared at me in disbelief, their anger rising at my composure,
“See?” Celeste said softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“She’s admitting it p>
She turned to them, playing the peacemaker.
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Chapter 3
“Please don’t be angry. Arden is just confused right now p>
Mom pulled her into an embrace, visibly relieved.
“You’re such a considerate child p>
“You’re not feeling well. We’ll let you rest p>
“If you’re still uncomfortable tomorrow, I’ll take you to see a doctor p>
They closed the door gently behind them.
When they looked at me, their eyes were filled with contempt.
I didn’t care. The smile on my lips never faded.
The next morning, I was jolted awake by a hoarse scream tearing through the house.
“Celeste p>
“What happened to you p>
“Who did this p>
“Who the hell did this p>
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