Chapter 835 'FATHER'

“WITH Jones’ help, the truth was revealed a few years later. At first, I was in denial. I couldn’t believe that my own sister actually did something so… heinous. So monstrous. But the evidence presented to me already proved that that was indeed the case,” Richard continued.

There was anger in his voice. But more than that, there was also sadness and indescribable pain.

“I couldn’t understand it at first. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt her in any way for her to plan something like that? But no answer came to mind. It was not until Jones told me about her… unnatural obsession that I finally had my answer. But that was even worse. I’d rather he’d done it because she hated me than doing it because she hated the fact that I married someone and had a family with her.

“I was at fault too. I should have taken her unhealthy attachment to me as a sign that she wasn’t… normal. When I found out about the things she did in the past to the girls who wanted to get close to me, the only thing I did was to leave the house and put distance between us. Because I thought that could easily solve her attachment to me.

“I had always believed that this attachment was only because she was too independent on me while growing up. So, I naively thought that once I was far away from her, she would learn to be independent. But no, it probably only fueled her obsession. And the incident 20 years ago was the result of all that.

“I didn’t know what to do after discovering that truth. I was so full of anger, I just wanted to fly back to England and kill her myself. Then I received the news of her marriage. I almost couldn’t believe it. My anger and rage couldn’t be contained. She killed our father and my son, and now she would continue on with her life as if nothing happened? How could I take it?

“I was ready to take everything to court and let her be punish for her crimes. But then, I received a report that the man she married was not of good character. The man was misogynistic and violent. When I heard about that, I simply rejoiced. Thinking of how she would suffer under the hands of such a man, it filled me with immense pleasure.”

A bitter smile crossed Richard’s face.

“Maybe there’s also something wrong with my head for actually thinking that way. But I thought it was infinitely better for her to suffer a lifetime of abuse rather than be hanged for her crimes. Dying was a simply a luxury for someone like her. Death is only for a moment, what I want was for her to suffer for the rest of her life. And it seemed that George Cooper was the best punishment there was.

“I had someone report her situation and every time I received news of her being abused, you can’t understand how delighted I was. But I want to see her suffering for myself. So, 10 years ago, I called all of them to meet me at New York. I wanted to see, how they had been living after a decade since that incident.

“But to my utter surprise, Catherine seemed to have not been suffering as much as I expected. In fact, just like the metamorphosis that she was, she seemed to have taken pleasure at being beaten up by her husband. But, at the same time, I also discovered another thing while observing her.

“It was not the pain she received from her husband’s beatings that caused her suffering. It was my ‘death’. I almost laughed at her face upon that realization. How ironic it was. For her to feel pain at something that she had caused. But it was also a relief for me as well. That she had been suffering since that incident.

“So, I sent people to constantly remind her of my death. I wanted her to feel all the pain that my wife and I suffered. I wanted her to live in that kind of way for the rest of her miserable life. But then, more than a year ago, I received a piece of news that shocked me to the core.

“It was the fact that she actually killed Mother. It happened just as the detective said. She poisoned our mother and Doctor Blake covered it up. At that point, I already decided that I would kill her. Thus, this plan was made. We would have probably gotten away with it too, if not for you, detective.

“That’s probably one of my mistakes in making this plan. Inviting you here. I shouldn’t have underestimated you and think that you’re just a typical noble looking for cheap trills by playing detective. Who would have thought you would have genuine skills? I should have probably chosen someone more foolish from Scotland Yard to act as the ‘reliable witness’.

“But what’s done is done. You won and I lost. Whatever you plan next, I just want you to know that I’m the only one involved in this plan. Sorcha was only following my orders. I’m the only one who deserved to go to the gallows.”

“Richard–!” Sorcha quickly said after hearing that last part.

Richard smiled down at his wife. “Don’t argue, my love. Cian still needs you.”

Before Sorcha could respond, someone was faster than her.

“And you think I don’t need you, Uncle William?” Cian shouted, standing up and glaring at Richard with tears in his eyes. “No. Do you think I don’t need you, Father?”

Richard looked like someone had hit him in the chest because of the expression on his face when he heard Cian calling him ‘father’. Then, tears also started to fall from his eyes. “I never thought I would hear call me that.”

“You shouldn’t have kept this secret from me. You and Mum both,” Cian said, wiping away his tears. Then, he turned to Luo Yan and knelt down. “Please, spare them, detective. Please!”

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