A Love That Fades - Chapter 16

The dull thud of fists landing on flesh could be heard clearly in the living room.

Vanessa’s wails grew weaker, and her body convulsed like a fish struggling out of water.

Her face was smeared with tears and snot.

“I-I’m sorry, Zachary. I’m nothing but an orphan. I wanted a family so badly. That’s why I lied,” she choked out.

Suddenly, she clutched at Zachary’s clothing, getting on her knees and bowing, slamming her forehead against the floor so hard that bruises began to form.

“Please, spare me. I won’t lie again, I swear. Please, I’m begging you!” Zachary stared at her with bloodshot eyes.

His response was another brutal swing of his fist.

By the time he finally stopped, Vanessa lay limp on the floor.

She was barely breathing.

“Dad.” Ryan’s voice was cold as ice.

”That day of the car accident, whose blood was actually transfused into me?” —- Zachary’s body trembled violently.

His hands curled into fists before he suddenly slapped himself, over and over.

“It was your sister, Selena,” he roared, yanking at his hair.

“I was out of my mind. I just wanted you to stop resenting Vanessa. That’s why I gave her that idea, but the hospital has Selena’s blood donation records.”

Hearing his father’s confession, Ryan’s eyes widened.

His nails dug into the leather couch, leaving behind deep scratches.

Suddenly, he threw his head back and let out a gut- wrenching scream, only for the sound to cut off abruptly as his body collapsed backward.

He had fainted on the spot. Zachary lunged forward to catch his son.

His heart clenched in agony.

He knew this was all his fault.

He had favored Vanessa too much, and now, he was paying the price.

He turned to Ian with a look of deep remorse, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Have you found any trace of Selena? I’ll go with you to find her. Even if I have to get on my knees, I’ll beg her to come home and make it up to her,” he pleaded.

Ian’s gaze was empty.

He didn’t respond.

His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood.

But he didn’t seem to notice.

No matter how much it hurt, it was nothing compared to what Selena had endured.

To be betrayed by the people she trusted most, the pain must have been unbearable.

“Zachary, she’s not coming back,” Ian murmured, his voice so faint it nearly vanished into the air.

Just then, a loud banging on the door shattered the silence. A group of burly, tattooed men stormed inside.

They looked fierce.

It was only when they spoke that the truth became clear. Vanessa had a gambling addiction.

To feed her habit, she had borrowed hundreds of thousands from a loan shark.

With interest, her debt had now ballooned to over a million.

“G-Guys, I have nothing to do with this woman. I-If you need the money, take her instead!” Zachary stammered.