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.

to

my dad when he was young, with a smile I hadn't seen outside of dreams for a

me felt so happy and content. Having

everything fell apart

countless times for being unfair. But after reading Benjamin's diary, I realized it wasn't

I already knew it might've been a mistake. There were a lot of things I wasn't clueless about; I just pretended not

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 and made

still hadn't come back. Fueled by the alcohol, I told Layce to go to bed early and threw on a coat to head out. I knew where she was; I was 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, yet she went to the quarry every few days. Deep down, I knew what was going on. I just pretended not to

Even if Linda was inside, what

Driven by some impulse, I walked to the window and stopped. That

shocked, my feet felt like they were glued to the ground, unable to move. When Linda opened the door and saw me, she was terrified. But she was smart and reacted quickly, immediately crying and begging me not to say anything. I was so stunned and shocked that I lost control, and I don't even know how I got her back home that night. After we got back, she pulled me into the room, kissing me and begging me, saying she had her reasons, and promising never to see Victor again, to live a good

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

I buried all the secrets with a bit of

was heartbreaking because she shouldered

from her wasn't a bad thing; this way, she wouldn't live

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 she had always strived to walk out

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

up. I didn't care much about it anymore, as long as she came

thinking I wouldn't reveal the truth for the sake 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 to propose a divorce, intending to set

feeling utterly useless. I didn't even know why

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

playing tricks? Ethan from Windsor Family was a capable young man who had made a name for himself, mature and steady, and seemed to have good character. I couldn't say Emily wouldn't be happy with him, but

to beautiful wishes, hoping Windsor Family would treat her well and repay all