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's

showed my dad when he was young, with a smile I

content. Having my mom and dad around was

everything fell apart

always thought that night was just a freak accident, and I cursed God countless times for being unfair. But after reading Benjamin's

in the short time after our wedding, I already knew it might've been a mistake. There were a lot of things I wasn't clueless about; I just pretended not to know.

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 and

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

bit lost. Even if Linda was inside, what could I do? Confront Victor and try to act tough? Or play the betrayed husband and call her out? Or make

to the house. My footsteps were muffled in the snow, 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 cruel. They

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 life with me. It was the first time she was so proactive and passionate in bed, but I didn't feel any arousal at all and eventually pushed her away. Seeing her pitiful expression, I felt a bit of compassion. Even though she had always been restless, she was still my lover, the biological mother of our children. Even if Richard wasn't my biological child, the kids were innocent. How could I let them

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,

all the

because she shouldered burdens too much. I felt pity, sympathy, and

had suffered, she was very innocent, kind, and filial. Perhaps hiding the truth from her wasn't a bad thing; this way, she wouldn't live in hatred, her world remained pure and held love. Moreover, 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 she

I learned the truth, I rarely had sex with Linda. I always felt a knot in my

she came home every

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 her free. After all, keeping a heartless woman

taking Richard with her, leaving Lacey with me. That night, I got drunk, hiding 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 one who

crying, so I didn't turn on the light when I opened the door. Lacey hugged me and said, "Dad, I will stay with

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 I

her well and repay all the debts to her with love. I also hoped the truth of the past