Twisted Ties of Love

She had watched the video too, an edited ten-minute clip that was too gruesome to finish. Even though it was silent, Izabella's expressions told the whole story. She was in pain, tormented to the point of wishing for death, plunging into despair.

Nathaniel was the perpetrator, but Brett was the mastermind. With his hidden past, Brett was far more terrifying than Nathaniel. Everyone thought of Brett as a deeply emotional man, who was devoted to his late wife. He had stood by her side when she became mentally ill, caring for her and even built a theme park in her memory.

But what they didn't know was that Brett had driven his wife into depression, regarded her as a baby-making machine, destroyed her family, trampled her pride, aborted their child, and confined her to a wheelchair.

Bunny was one of the people deceived by Brett's facade. She asked, "Do you still love Brett?"

"Love?" Izabella scoffed at the mention. "Would you love someone who drove you to your death?"

Her eyes were now bloodshot with hatred.

"Bunny, do you know the Salotti family from R City?"

"Yes." The Salotti family used to be part of high society, not as influential as the Windham or Dempsey families, but still noteworthy. And when people talked about R City, the first thing that came to their mind was Ms. Izabella.

Despite her young age, she took over the Salotti Group after Old Mr. Salotti's death, preventing the rapid downfall of the company.

"Brett used the same tactics he used on the Dempsey family to ruin mine. I detest him. How could I possibly like him? He destroyed everything in my life."

As Izabella spoke, her eyes were filled with shadows, devoid of any mirth.

How many hardships and humiliations had she suffered because of Brett? Who knew how many times she had contemplated death?

The once envy-inducing Ms. Izabella had been reduced to a plaything behind closed doors. Who could understand the anguish she experienced?

Brett always said that he loved her deeply, that his love for her was no less than Casey's.

But confessing his love after driving her to her death was more repulsive than rape.

If Brett had shown even a shred of mercy, she wouldn't have chosen to die in a fire.

Izabella didn't elaborate further, but Bunny could imagine. Remembering the video of Izabella being tortured, she felt a lump in her throat. Her appetite vanished. She felt sorry for Izabella.

In the light, Izabella's face was as pale as alabaster. Bunny watched her and sighed quietly.

She opened her purse and took out a jade bracelet.

"Bella, give me your hand."

Confused, Izabella extended her hand. Bunny gently held her wrist and slipped the bracelet on before she could react.

"Mrs. Bunny, this is too valuable."

Izabella's hand was delicate, her fingers slender and white. The jade bracelet perfectly accentuated her fair skin.

Bunny said, "This bracelet was given to me by my mother-in-law when I married into the Dempsey family. She saidat should be passed on to the daughter-in-law. She gave it to me, and now I'm giving it to you. From now on, you are the Dempsey family member. The Dempsey family will always support our own."

"Mrs. Bunny, Brett's actions against the Dempsey family are because of me."

"No, it's not because of you. I know the difference between a victim and a perpetrator. I won't blame you for his selfishness."

Bunny's gentleness made Izabella feel awkward. "You won't mind my past?"

Bunny laughed. "You said it's in the past. So why should we dwell on it? You've been reborn. The old Izabella is dead. Don't worry, my husband and I have accepted the situation. We've lost our fortune, but money can be earned again. As long as we're alive, that's what matters."

In contrast, Izabella had chosen to marry into the Dempsey family in a dire situation. Even the Dempsey's relatives and friends had deserted them, but Izabella chose to support them.

The saying "adversity reveals true friendship" truly hit home for Izabella.

After lunch, Izabella accompanied Bunny to the hospital to visit Beck.

Beck was still receiving treatment. It hadn't been long since they last saw each other, but his hair had already turned grey.