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.

ahead of her, shrouded in darkness,

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

dress, she shivered violently as the cold wind wrapped

a warm suit jacket was draped over

locking onto a pair of deep, unreadable

voice carried a hint of astonishment, and for a brief moment, a spark of light

gaze swept over her pale face, taking in the way strands of

sorrow lingered

here to take you home," he responded, his voice

his words, he

as she gazed at his sharp, chiseled

passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. Just as she thought he was done, he suddenly

widened in shock, and she instinctively pulled

Theo, what are

his eyes cutting through her defenses. "Wearing shoes that don't fit

hesitated, biting her lip. "Uncle Theo, how did

noticed it at Gray Manor,"