A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo)

Chapter 161 Afraid of Hurting Her

William intended to use Sierra's marriage for his own gain and to keep control

over her, he needed to hold Vera as leverage. A divorce was out of the question— he would never let them go.

"Besides, even if we did end up getting a divorce, your father wouldn't let us off the hook so easily..." Vera's voice trembled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"There are times I've thought about ending it all—at least then, I wouldn't be a burden to you anymore. But I'm too much of a coward... I don't even have the courage to die. I'm sorry, Cee. All I've ever done is cause you pain."

Seeing her mother so broken, Sierra felt her heart twist painfully.

"Cee, don't worry about me anymore. No matter how badly he hurts me, you must stay out of it. If you don't intervene, he won't be able to use me to control you or force you into things you don't want to do."

Vera clutched Sierra's hand tightly, her voice barely above a whisper, afraid that William might overhear.

"Mom, how could I possibly turn my back on you?" Sierra asked, her brows knitting together in anguish.

She wasn't heartless-she could never just stand by and do nothing.

Stepping out of the Shaw residence, an icy chill seeped into her bones. William had already thrown her clothes away-there was no point in searching for them.

out ahead of her, shrouded in darkness, with no light to

feet. She glanced down at the ill-fitting high heels, biting her lip as she forced

in nothing but a thin white chiffon dress, she shivered violently as the

warm suit jacket was draped over her shoulders,

gaze locking onto a pair of deep, unreadable eyes. "Uncle

for a brief moment, a spark

the way strands of her softly curled hair brushed against

wistful sorrow lingered on her aloof features,

to take you home," he responded,

Sierra could process his words, he effortlessly lifted

her pale cheeks as she gazed at his sharp, chiseled features. Warmth bloomed in her chest, and a sting pricked at her

seatbelt. Just as she thought he was done, he suddenly knelt before her and

eyes widened in shock, and she

what are

through her defenses. "Wearing shoes that don't fit will only

lip. "Uncle

noticed it at Gray Manor,"