Chapter 482
Chapter 482:
“Perhaps Fabian’s life was too perfect, his happiness too complete—enough to invite the envy of fate itself. That’s when a silent, devastating plot began dismantling his family piece by piece. The family’s empire faced attacks from all directions, while misfortune stalked each member like a shadow. At six years old, his world revolved around toys and laughter, the weight of his family’s crisis far beyond his grasp. Until the day his parents spoke of the family’s possible downfall, reality crashed into his innocent world like a tidal wave. But what power did a six-year-old child possess against such forces? His only weapon was prayer, desperately hoping his family could weather this merciless storm.”
Stephen’s voice quivered, his body betraying the tremors of suppressed anguish. Janice’s brow furrowed as she absorbed his pain. Though she hadn’t lived through it herself, the raw despair in Stephen’s voice and expression painted a vivid picture of that devastating time.
“One day, his father told him about a place where he needed to stay. His father promised to return for him after some time. He believed it without question. After all, in his young eyes, his father was invincible—a man whose words were as solid as stone. But as days melted into weeks, and weeks into months, not a single word came from his parents. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, he made his way back home alone, only to find his world had crumbled to ashes.”
The coffee cup shattered as Stephen squeezed it in his grip, the fragments slicing into his palm and drawing blood.
“Stephen, you’re bleeding,” Janice said, her voice laced with worry as she clasped his hand to inspect the injury, her pulse quickening. What could have triggered such an emotional reaction in him?
“It doesn’t matter,” Stephen murmured, offering a strained smile while examining his palm. “These types of injuries have become familiar to me over time.”
Startled by his indifference, Janice hesitated. His ability to remain so composed suggested he had suffered many injuries before.
“Forgive my reaction, Janice,” Stephen said, tightening his hand into a fist and smiling reassuringly. “Sometimes, as an actor, my emotions overpower me.”
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“I get it,” Janice responded, her expression one of lingering concern. “Please, don’t strain yourself on my account.”
With a resolute expression but eyes filled with fear, Stephen shook his head. “This story has long been hidden deep within my heart. Today, I encountered someone I can truly trust, compelling me to share my entire story.”
“Just remember not to overdo it.”
“Your understanding means a lot.” Stephen took a moment to soothe the chaos within before continuing. “A fire had turned the entire family to ashes. He recognized familiar faces among the charred remains, the gruesome sight imprinting itself in his memory like a nightmarish vision. He hurried into what had once been a cozy home, now turned into a scene straight from hell, frantically searching for his parents, though he feared what he might discover.”
Janice felt a sharp pang in her heart at his words. As she listened to Stephen’s narrative, her typically calm expression was replaced by cold anger, her gaze sharp and unwavering. She felt as though she had been taken back twenty years, reliving the terrifying moment when she saw the White family’s devastation and their charred bodies—a vision pulled straight from a nightmare.
“He searched for a long time but was unable to find his parents. At that moment, he was torn between relief and sorrow, unsure of what to feel. In the end, exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed. Upon waking, he discovered he was in a spacious room. He noticed a woman nearby. The woman was both beautiful and seemed to possess a gentle demeanor. She said she would be his support from that moment forward.”
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