Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 216 Secrets Buried by Time

Richard was bawling his eyes out while packing up all of Benjamin's stuff.

I slipped the diary into my own bag, trying to be discreet.

Once the rescue mission wrapped up and we sorted through Benjamin's belongings, we took his body back to Starlight City and kept it at the funeral home for now.

Lacey was rushing back, hoping to see Benjamin one last time.

The past few days had everyone on edge because of the earthquake, and the whole city was drenched in sadness.

The next day, I skipped work.

After breakfast, Ethan headed to his job, and I went upstairs, pulled the diary out of my bag, and settled into a chair on the balcony to read it.

I hadn't opened it right away after getting back because Benjamin's last words left me feeling uneasy. It seemed like he knew something but couldn't say it out loud. Whatever he couldn't say, he probably wrote in the diary. After reading Benjamin's diary, I stayed on the balcony all morning.

The summer sun was blazing, but I was shivering like my blood had turned to ice.

Hope called me for lunch, but I didn't budge.

"You guys go ahead, I'm not hungry," I mumbled, barely able to get the words out.

After sitting there a bit longer, I grabbed the diary and headed out.

went to my dad's

on the tombstone showed my dad when he was young, with a smile I hadn't

so happy and content. Having my mom and dad around was

fell

a freak accident, and I cursed God countless times for being unfair. But after reading

been a mistake. There were a lot of things I wasn't clueless about; I just pretended not to know. Having kids didn't

didn't come back until super late. Layce, being the sharp kid she was, probably sensed my bad mood and decided to cook. She was barely taller than the table, standing on a little stool, but she was doing a pretty good job. Seeing my daughter being so thoughtful melted my heart. I took the spatula from her tiny hand

going to find her. Victor from the quarry had built a house nearby and mostly lived there. The quarry was a rough place, and every worker there would be covered in dust after a day's work. Linda was such a clean freak,

was inside, what could I do?

and I came silently. From the room, I could faintly hear voices. Driven by some impulse, I walked to the window and stopped. That night, I heard a lot of terrible truths outside that window, about the Russell Family's tragic car accident, about Richard's true identity. I never knew she had hidden so much from me, that my wife was so

room, kissing me and begging me, saying she had her reasons, and

to remain silent. During those days, I experienced Linda's domesticity for the first time. She kept the house spotless, cooked delicious meals, bathed the children, braided Lacey's hair, and helped them with their homework. The children were extremely happy, and I was almost immediately captivated by

all the secrets with

particularly sensible girl. Her sensibility was heartbreaking because she shouldered burdens too much. I felt pity, sympathy,

wasn't a bad thing; this way, she wouldn't live in hatred, her world remained pure and held love. Moreover, even if she

could. I even wanted to adopt her, but I was afraid that my act would be too obvious and arouse suspicion. Adversity made people grow, and I was glad

the truth, I rarely had sex with Linda. I always felt a knot in my heart, and I felt that enjoying life

long as she came

of the children. Such a marriage was absurd, and I didn't want to live in absurdity for a lifetime. The children had grown up and become rational. So, I took the initiative

in a room crying, feeling utterly useless. I didn't even know why I was crying. Clearly, we couldn't go on, and I was the

I hurriedly wiped away my tears, afraid she would see me crying, so I didn't turn on the light when I opened the door. Lacey hugged me and said, "Dad, I will stay with you forever!" At that moment, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. That night, Linda and Richard had left but life had

Family. Should I say God was playing tricks? Ethan from Windsor Family was a capable young man who had made a name for himself, mature

her well and repay