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Chapter 125
Linda mentioned the baby growing in her belly and Lucas' expression finally softened. His eyes drifted to Linda's slightly rounded stomach. "You fell twice today. Are you okay?"
Linda was still half-lying on the ground, one hand clutching her stomach. "Luca, my stomach hurts a bit."
Lucas hurriedly helped her up. Then, Linda settled into the passenger seat of the car.
Lucas still looked upset. He seemed to be holding back his emotions. "Linda, all these years, I thought I knew you inside out, but today, I realize how much of a stranger you are to me. Was your gentleness, kindness, and innocence all just a facade?"
"Linda, you feel so unfamiliar now."
Linda lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Anyone who saw her pitiful appearance would feel their heart ache.
Lucas pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. Linda took the tissue, gave Lucas a cautious glance, and then quickly looked down again.
Holding the tissue, she spoke in a hoarse voice. "Luca, I grew up in Misty Alley. If I were really just gentle, kind, and innocent, I would've died a thousand times over."
Lucas' eyes flickered. Misty Alley sounded picturesque. But in reality, it was on the very edge of Riverbrook, a slum filled with violence, bloodshed, and all sorts of unspeakable and dirty dealings every day.
He knew about Linda's past but had never dug into the details.
Linda continued to cry as she spoke, "My mom was insane, and my dad was disabled. Since I can remember, my mom tortured both me and my dad. I didn't have my own room. My clothes, shoes, and even my school bag were all picked from the trash. I felt like nothing in this world belonged to me, and I didn't deserve anything beautiful."
Her voice was filled with despair, pulling Lucas into that tragic realm and breaking his heart upon hearing it.
"At fourteen, I saved up money from collecting recyclables for half a year, then snuck into a boutique to buy a dress. It was white, with white lace around the neckline and sleeves. İ loved it so much that I hid it under my bed. When my parents weren't home, I'd secretly wear it
"Once, my mom came home early and caught me wearing the new white dress. She insisted I had stolen money to buy it. I'll never forget that day..." Linda lowered her head, tears fell, and her shoulders shook more and more violently.
"She stripped me of my clothes, tied me to the big tree in the yard, cut the white dress into rags right in front of me, and then burned it. Then she took a belt and lashed me with it.
"It was in the afternoon, and many
people came to watch when they heard the noise. I was fourteen and covered in blood. A crowd of people watched me. They didn't stop my. mum. They just watched for fun, pointing and making comments with those disgusting, leering looks. They laughed and clapped, egging my mom on to hit me harder...
"I passed out several times from the beating."
As Linda said this, Lucas' heart clenched. He knew Linda's family background was terrible. Shannon had always beaten and scolded her. However, he never imagined she had endured such cruelty.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Lucas couldn't help but think of Chloe. What was Chloe doing when she was fourteen?