Filed to story: Shattered Vows (Venessa Windsor) Book PDF Free
Venessa’s heart gave a fierce thump.
He’s still my brother?
She had been waiting for these words for what felt like an eternity.
When she was first imprisoned, she had waited every single moment for Gabe to come and rescue her. She couldn’t believe that her brother, who had cared for her for eighteen years, could be so heartless.
However, the bigger the hope, the greater the disappointment.
From initial hope to subsequent disappointment, and finally to utter despair, reality harshly confirmed that all of this was indeed true.
She no longer had any family.
The path where Gabe came to her rescue had become a dead end in her heart.
So, when the man who claimed to be her brother appeared before her, telling her he was there to take her away, she felt completely numb.
She took a step back and bowed again, her tone indifferent as she said, “Thank you, Mrs. Lorimer, for signing the letter of forgiveness. And thank you, Old Mrs. Pierce, for keeping me, an ex-convict, in her thoughts.”
She spoke with an attitude of utmost respect.
The warmth that once existed between family members was completely gone.
Gabe, feeling agitated by this profound sense of distance, pinched the bridge of his nose and said with a hint of impatience, “Even though you’ve spent four years in prison, Dad said you’re still the daughter of the Pierce family. You don’t need to dwell too much on your past imprisonment.”
To him, his little sister, whom he had doted on since childhood, was not an ex-convict.
However, to Venessa, his words were like nails on a chalkboard.
Four years of imprisonment had taken its toll.
Every day, she had toiled away in her degrading prison uniform, participating in the prison labor program.
She endured hunger, sickness, and if she made a mistake, the punishment from the prison guards.
The prison bully constantly found new ways to torment her.
Her days in prison were nothing short of a realm of torment, a fate worse than death.
Being the daughter of the Pierce family seemed to only expose her to even harsher treatment.
Upon seeing the sorrow on Venessa’s face, Gabe gently patted her shoulder, his tone softening. “Let’s go to the hospital to visit Grandma. We wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.”
He then turned and started walking toward the car.
After a while, he glanced back and saw Venessa following at a steady pace, always maintaining a certain distance from him.
What’s the matter? Am I a monster?
Does she really need to stay far away from me?
Gabe found himself reminiscing about the times when Venessa would playfully cling to him, intensifying the restless longing in his heart.
He quickened his pace toward his car.
Four years of torment had taught Venessa a harsh lesson. She dared not upset the Pierce family, fearing she might not be able to bear the consequences.
So, even though the old injury in her calf was causing her excruciating pain, she dared not delay for even a moment.
In her haste, she stumbled and fell, but she quickly picked herself up and continued her pursuit.
When she arrived at the car, Gabe was already inside.
The Pierce family’s driver, Gavin Whitlock, was still the same. As he got out of the car, he greeted her, “Hello, Ms. Pierce,” and opened the backseat door.
Instead of getting into the backseat, Venessa opened the passenger door and got in.
The driver was somewhat taken aback.
Gabe got out of the car, yanked open the passenger door, and pulled Venessa out.
With a disregard akin to discarding trash, he ruthlessly threw her onto the ground.
“If you find me so displeasing, then don’t consider me your brother anymore!”
Venessa bit her lip, and her ankle twisted again, causing her to wince in pain.
Gabe, oblivious to her discomfort, continued to chastise her, “Venessa, I thought you had matured, but it seems you’re still so naive. You think sitting in the passenger seat can hurt anyone? It only shows you’re hopelessly degrading yourself! How dare you show me attitude? It seems you haven’t fully grasped your own status! Don’t bother with the car. Just walk home yourself! I’m warning you, when you visit Grandma at the hospital, don’t wear such a gloomy expression. I don’t want to upset her!”
After he finished speaking, he instructed the driver, “Drive!”
Although Gavin was concerned about Venessa, he didn’t dare to defy Gabe and drove off.
Watching the car fade into the distance, Venessa felt no emotion.
She had already tasted the bitterness of abandonment and betrayal four years ago.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t recognized her own status; it was Gabe who had forgotten that they had forced her back to her original position, yet ironically blamed her for not recognizing her own status.
Clenching her fists, she slowly rose to her feet, knowing she had to catch up quickly or risk angering the Pierce family.
And she might not be able to bear it any longer.
After she walked a short distance, the car that had left suddenly returned and came to a halt before her.
The window rolled down, and Gabe’s eyes, filled with fury, bore into her. “Get in!”
Without uttering a single word, Venessa still took the passenger seat.
Gabe couldn’t contain his frustration. “Venessa, you’re really something!”
They journeyed in silence for half an hour.
When the car arrived at the hospital, Venessa carefully stepped out.
Her leg was hurting, and she nearly fell as she got out of the car. Suddenly, a figure rushed over and caught her.
It was Harriet, the mother who once loved her the most.
