Chapter 226: This News Truly Shattered All Preconceptions

The Quirks: Huh? What…what does this mean?

They initially found Sasha's twisted affection for her tormentor pitiful and tragic. However, what they just heard left them astounded.

Isabella (narrating): Sasha assumed Roland would simply warn Ethan. To her surprise, Roland reported Ethan to the school authorities each time he caught him, hoping to remove this "cancer." Sasha always intervened, preventing the reports. When asked why, she remained silent, only shaking her head and weeping. Her distress was evident.

Isabella: Roland believed she was psychologically scarred and feared retaliation. Despite his pledge to protect her, she begged him not to expel Ethan. Unbeknownst to Roland, she was pleading for the man she loved. Fearing repercussions, he complied, protecting her more vigilantly. His sympathy gradually evolved into love.

Isabella: This naturally caught Ethan’s attention. He noticed her strange behavior; despite his torment, she never showed hatred. Her resistance seemed like a game, a show of defiance that yielded to his dominance. Often, she didn't even complain.

Isabella: Ethan's malice intensified when he learned of Roland's feelings for Sasha. He locked her in a warehouse, intending to assault her. She struggled, forcing him to tie her up. He was about to film her when Roland burst in. Seeing Sasha's state, the heartbroken Roland lost control. Ethan was severely beaten, his face disfigured. Roland was also injured and bears a scar.

The Quirk family sighed. Alexander's gaze darkened. He remembered Roland's youthful dreams, the sparkling look in his eyes. Alexander, emotionally stunted, envied this; he’d never understood dreams until then. Now, those dreams were shattered—by Ethan and Sasha.

Isabella: This revelation was mind-shattering. The incident became a major ordeal. Everyone expected Sasha to testify against Ethan, but she refused to press charges. They assumed she wished to avoid publicity, so they didn't press. Nonetheless, Ethan was expelled. His furious father discreetly sent him abroad for facial reconstruction and further studies.

Isabella: Sasha constantly visited Roland in the hospital. She learned his injuries had shattered his Air Force dreams—a lifelong goal. Devastated, she spent her days in tears. Roland’s mother, Dahne, was moved by her sorrow. Roland, heartbroken by her distress, reassured her. It was unclear whether her tears stemmed from guilt toward Roland or the loss of her true love.

Isabella: Perhaps to compensate, or perhaps touched by his affection, she agreed to date Roland. Despite her unconventional views on love, she knew where she could find true happiness. The Quirks were bewildered. This was unbearable! What had Roland done to deserve this? Was Sasha repaying kindness with enmity? And she was carrying Ethan's child? How had they gotten involved again? Did she have no morals? They finally understood the meaning of "don't judge a book by its cover." The gossip resumed.

Isabella: Under Roland's care, Sasha's wounds healed. Despite attending different schools, they enjoyed a warm college life. She met his father and discovered the true relationship between Ethan and Roland. Wanting to escape, she almost broke up with Roland, but he persuaded her to stay.

The Quirks: Oh, come on. Why did he bother? This is so frustrating!

Isabella: Sasha couldn't bear to lose such a good man, believing she could forget her past. Everything changed with Ethan’s return.

Isabella: He returned to take everything from Roland. Sasha initially resisted, only to succumb to his dominance. On their first meeting, he dragged her to a hotel, and they had sex. Ethan realized it was her first time, which filled him with satisfaction. (Isabella: I'm so disgusted.)

The Quirks: We're feeling queasy too!

Isabella: Sasha was miserable but still yearned for Ethan and wanted to break up with Roland. Ethan continued to mistreat her and refused responsibility. A sorrowful Sasha left him without breaking up with Roland.

Isabella: Ethan soon sought her out again. She initially rejected him, but upon hearing his confession of love, she returned to him. Their secret relationship continued until Sasha became pregnant. When she asked Ethan to choose, he insisted she keep the child and marry Roland, ensuring his child would inherit from the Ford family. (Isabella: Wow, he's sly.)

The Quirk family was speechless. They still held onto a sliver of hope for Sasha's humanity, believing she wouldn't agree. Considering today's marriage, they found their naiveté laughable.

Isabella: Sasha initially felt she couldn't betray Roland, her savior. She felt she had already let him down terribly. However, Ethan refused to take responsibility, and fearing independent life with a child, she betrayed Roland. She even pledged to live a good life with him and their child, vowing never to be entangled with Ethan again.

The Quirks: There's really no need for that. Come on!

Alexander suddenly remembered Sasha’s frequent absences. It was because of Ethan. What a joke. The worst of the worst. Ethan's words were empty, yet Sasha remained at his beck and call, yearning for him to whisk her away, only to be repeatedly disappointed. She even knew about his girlfriend. He bluntly told her her background made her unfit to be his wife; she should be content caring for his child. This nearly broke her. She contemplated abortion, yet here she was.

The Quirk family felt sick to their stomachs.

Isabella: Both she and Audrey (presumably another character) were seeking substitute fathers for their children, but at least Audrey was clear about her intentions. This girl…

Isabella was speechless. She found herself more infuriated with Sasha than she expected. She danced toward Alexander, seeing his glum expression. She worried, given the recent revelation of Ethan being Owen's illegitimate child. Roland was a good guy and Alex's friend; she couldn't imagine not helping him. This marriage couldn't continue—an insult to Roland! But what could she do? They'd been together for years, she was pregnantshe lacked evidence. What should she do?

She saw Alexander grab his phone and make a call.

“You have one hour. Look into someone for me. I want to know all his locations in the past six months,” he instructed coldly. “Pay extra attention to surveillance footage of him meeting anyone alone.” Isabella was fired up.

Isabella: Dang? This could work! Alex probably distrusts the illegitimate child and fears revenge plots against Roland. This investigation could lead to Sasha. With surveillance evidence, the truth will come to light!