Chapter 515


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    Desmond mmed his fist against the wall, his frustration and helplessness evident. "I''ve failed as a father. I couldn''t protect her. I trusted the wrong person."


    Suzanne approached him, exuding a calm presence despite her tear-streaked cheeks. Her voice remained gentle and soothing, "Desmond, don''t beat yourself up. This isn''t Mr. Connor''s fault. If it weren''t for him, Diana would have died in ire''s basement when she was just twelve." Hearing Suzanne''s calming voice, Desmond began to regain hisposure. Deep down, he knew Connor wasn''t the one to me. It was his daughter''s unwavering obsession.


    Struggling to control his emotions, Desmond clenched his fists and stormed out of the hospital room. Teddy quietly followed, softly closing the door behind him.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    In the living room, it was just Suzanne and Connor left. Suzanne turned to him, "Mr. Connor, please, go check on Diana."


    Connor entered Diana''s hospital room. Shey there, seemingly asleep but restless, murmuring in her dreams and asionally letting out soft cries. Tears stained her cheeks, making her look heartbreakingly vulnerable. Connor felt a sharp pang in his heart.


    After all, he''d spent years protecting Diana, treating her like his own sister. In doing so, he''d sheltered her too much, and she''d be hopelessly romantic, losing sight of her situation as she focused entirely on him. Connor had finally decided to step back, hoping she''d find her own way. But


    now...


    Seeing Diana so vulnerable, Connor''s heart ached deeply.


    Suzanne stood beside him, recalling the past. "Mr. Connor, you saved Diana''s life, pulling her, barely alive, from ire''s basement. Our family owes you everything."


    "You know my story—a struggling actor with no family ties. If it weren''t for Desmond, I''d still be wing my way up from the bottom. But because of him, our daughter was born into ire''s legacy of hatred and revenge."


    "Desmond doesn''t hold real power in the Gilbert family. His brother Jeffery mes me for the end of Desmond and ire''s marriage. But their marriage was doomed long before came along. ire never loved Desmond. He only learned the truth after Pax was born, and he couldn''t ept it. That''s when he met me..."


    Suzanne paused, then continued, "These are old wounds. ire may not have loved Desmond, but that


    doesn''t stop her from using us as ase her punching bag. She can''t handle betrayal. No matter where we hide, she''s always there, like a nightmare. She''s stronger and more ruthless. We live in constant fear of her next move."


    Suzanne''s voice wavered with emotion, "My husband and I have made our peace with whatever maye. We''ve lived our lives and enjoyed what


    we could. Death doesn''t scare us anymore. But Diana is different. She''s young, with her whole future ahead. She''s our shared hope..."


    Choking up, Suzanne paused, took a tissue from the bedside, and wiped her tears before regaining her calm demeanor.


    "So, I''m entrusting Diana to you because you share our vision and have the means to protect her."


    Suzanne''s tone turned serious, "I''m


    noting to you empty-handed, Mr. Connor ve traded the most precious thing the Gilbert family has with you. Desmond and I may not wield much power, but Marian, bless her, favored Desmond and left him the family heirloom. We''ve made a deal with you, Mr. Connor Since you''ve epted our sincerity, you must honor your promise."