Chapter 80
Before I could even call Brandon, my phone rang. It was Howard and Elisa–his parents.”
“Hello? Leia…” Elisa’s voice trembled on the other end. “We’re sorry. We meant well, but things turned out badly…”
I stiffened. “What do you mean?“}
Only after hearing their explanation did the full picture begin to emerge.
After the auction that day, I had gone straight to see them. I told them everything–laid bare all that had happened. Then I informed them of my decision to divorce Brandon.}
The Willis and my family had known each other for decades. When my parents passed, they had entrusted the Willises to look after me. Over the years, Howard and Elisa had treated me like their own. So before walking away from that chapter of my life, I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.
But I hadn’t expected what they did next.”
As soon as I left, they began investigating Maisy. It didn’t take them long to uncover everything–the affairs, the lies, the schemes. And without hesitation, they took action.
That same night, they drove Maisy out of Arlington, thinking my fury had stemmed from jealousy over a mistress. But they didn’t understand. That had never been the core of my anger.
Brandon, however, lost control when he found out. Learning Maisy had disappeared and that I’d gone to his parents beforehand, he jumped to conclusions. He thought I’d used his parents to get revenge. So, in return, he retaliated in the cruelest way he could–he leaked every one of my private photos online.
By the time I rushed to the Willises‘ residence, it was too late.}
Brandon was already on his knees in the study. Howard stood over him, whip in hand, eyes blazing with fury.}
“Apologize! Are you going to apologize or not?!”
Brandon’s hands were bound behind his back. His back was a raw, bloodied mess, shirt torn away and skin mangled from the lashes. Each strike left a vivid welt across skin that had already turned a violent shade of red.
The sight was gruesome–worse than that blizzard night ten years ago, when I had found him barely breathing inside a wolf’s den. Back then, I’d carried him on my back through the storm, risking my own life for his.
Now, he gritted his teeth and gave a twisted smile. “N–no…”
“You bastard!” Howard raised the whip again.”
“That’s enough!” I stepped in at last.)
Howard and Elisa rushed to my side. Howard grabbed my wrist, dragging me to face Brandon.
“Apologize to Leia!” he roared.
Brandon raised his head. His face was pale and contorted from pain. Sweat dripped from his chin, but he still forced that same arrogant smirk. “She’s not worth it…”
With a snarl, Howard kicked him hard in the chest, sending him crashing to the floor. Brandon coughed violently, blood streaking the
corner of his mouth.
“Stop,” I said calmly, catching Howard’s arm before he struck again. “I’m divorcing him anyway. There’s no need to waste your energy.”}
Brandon looked up at me with unreadable eyes.}
Elisa clutched my hand, her voice thick with guilt. “Leia… your parents asked us to look after you. But now… we’ve let them down.”
She swallowed hard. “If we let you go like this, how can we ever face them?”
I smiled faintly and wrapped both my hands around theirs. “Even after the divorce, I’ll still see you as my parents. What Brandon did has nothing to do with you. Please don’t carry that guilt.“}
A pause. Then I added, “My flight to Europe is tonight. I won’t be back for a while.”
“Leia…” Elisa looked as if she wanted to say more, but I gently pulled away.
I didn’t spare Brandon a single glance as I walked out the front door. I shut it behind me, quietly but firmly.
Inside, Howard hurled the whip to the floor, chest heaving. He pointed a trembling finger at his son. “You ungrateful fool! You chased away the best daughter–in–law we ever could’ve hoped for! You don’t deserve her!“}]
Brandon, lying in a crumpled heap, gave a cold, hollow laugh. “Only you two would fall for her act. She’s always been good at playing the victim. Crocodile tears go a long way, huh?”
“Shut your mouth!” Elisa’s fury finally erupted. With a loud crack, she slapped him across the face.
“That year, she broke her leg carrying you down that mountain. Three months in treatment. Not once did she complain. And you dare say it was all an act?!”
