Chapter 85

He couldn't show that he cared too much. Revealing any real emotion caused her to accuse him of overstepping boundaries, using it as an excuse to distance herself.

Jonathan forced a slight smile. "It's good he's fine," he said. "I'm not unreasonable. Let him rest, and I'll send someone to care for him."

Cynthia nodded.

Jonathan approached her. "Want to go to the supermarket? I'll cook for you tonight."

Jonathan was a good cook, but his busy schedule rarely allowed it. Cynthia did crave his cooking, but she refused. "I need to return to the Yates residence tonight. I can't have dinner with you."

Cynthia tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "I have to go," she said. "I might be back late." With that, she left in her high heels.

She couldn't wait to reach the Yates residence. She quickly went to Filip's room and opened the safe using the password. It was almost empty, containing only one notebook—her diary.

Cynthia squatted and retrieved it. It was the diary she'd lost during her sophomore year, pristine and unread. Filip must have looked at it only once.

Clutching the diary, she slowly walked to the couch, her emotions a tangle. Who knew such a small diary could so drastically alter her life? At that moment, it felt like Pandora's box.

She knew opening it would unleash sins, deceit, darkness, betrayal, and schemes, perhaps affecting many destinies. Still, she slowly opened it. The first entries were hers, documenting college life and future plans. Then came the entries written by Lilian, mimicking her handwriting:

[May 1st, sunny. I watched Filip play basketball today and saw the scar on his waist—so ugly and terrifying. I've always felt guilty about what happened and said I'd take responsibility for him, but I'm increasingly disgusted with him. It was his own carelessness, so why should I feel guilty forever?]

[May 7th, cloudy. Filip got into a fight and ended up at the police station. Why is he still so immature? I've always cleaned up his messes. I'm so tired of it. I still had to comfort him. He's like a child who never grows up. When will he mature?]

[May 23rd, cloudy. I'm fed up with Filip. He's foolish. We were going to win today's debate, but we lost because he gave others a loophole. I wish I could open his head to see if it's empty. He's been hopeless since primary school—stupid beyond words. He's only lucky to be wealthy. If he were ordinary, he'd be a nobody, not even in college.]

[June 9th, overcast. Filip wanted to kiss me today, but I felt nothing. The scar on his waist disgusts me. It constantly reminds me of my debt to him, which I can't stand. Sometimes, I think the only way to make it stop is if he were gone. Of course, I don't really want him dead—I'm just imagining it.]

[July 7th, rainy. Today is Valentine's Day. Filip took me out for Friyxian cuisine, but I hate Friyxian cuisine. He gave me sneakers, which I found ridiculous. Sneakers are something he likes. I've never worn them. How can I break up with him gracefully without giving up my status as a Yates? The Yates family is one of the wealthiest in Roncrity.]

[July 30th, sunny. Greg Evans confessed, and I was moved. He's so much better than Filip, more manly. I enjoyed kissing him, something Filip could never give me. But I can't let Filip know. The feeling of two-timing is thrilling. It's just dating, not marriage.]

09:35 Wed, Nov 6 Chapter 85 [August 19th, rainy. I slept with Greg today, and it was incredible. It's a shame he found out I wasn't a virgin. My first time was lost during a storm in my freshman year. Thankfully, Filip doesn't know. After two years with Filip, all we've done is hold hands. I wonder if he's incapable. Do the burn scars on his waist and legs mean he's disabled in other ways? If I were to marry him, would I have to spend my life with a cripple?]

The rest of the entries were similar.

Cynthia's fingers trembled, her grip bending the diary's edges.

Lilian had imitated her handwriting perfectly, documenting everything from trivialities to significant events. Cynthia was shocked at Lilian's knowledge; it was as if Lilian had infiltrated every moment of her past. It sent shivers down her spine.

No wonder Filip had accused her of despising him, of wishing him dead. The diary created a twisted, dark psychological world. Lilian knew exactly how to exploit Filip's fragile self-esteem. He wouldn't dare confront Cynthia directly. Lilian was a master manipulator.

The past unfolded before Cynthia, exposing everything. She finally understood some of her confusion, but it wasn't the answer she sought. That incident was only briefly mentioned.

But Cynthia was sure Lilian was somehow involved. That day was one of the year's rare torrential rainfalls.

Cynthia left the Yates residence without dinner, tossing the diary onto the passenger seat. Driving at high speed on the elevated highways, her head ached, her vision blurred. The fear and panic of years ago returned in waves.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat soaking her shirt. Cynthia knew her depression was returning, accompanied by severe physical symptoms. She'd suffered from severe depression since the day she was violated. Since then, she'd had nightmares and been unable to confide in anyone. Her sleep suffered. At that time, her symptoms weren't severe yet, because she met Hec… (The passage cuts off here)