His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 98

“Lumina, this was something your father asked me to do. The embezzlement scheme... my dad was involved too. He helped your dad build connections, win over the big players, and when the money came in, they split it right down the middle. I only found out about all this recently.”

Yadiel’s face darkened, shadows gathering in his eyes. “Your father said he’d take the fall. It was all in his name, and there was no way out. But he promised he could still protect my dad—on one condition: that I’d make a false statement for you.”

Lumina stirred the ravioli in front of her, her fork clinking against the bowl. A tiny gnat landed on the rim, sniffed at the food, and then plunged straight into the broth.

She stared blankly at the dead insect floating there, her stomach churning with disgust. Tossing her spoon into the bowl, she snapped, “So, to save your father, you came here to frame me?”

Her whole body was trembling. “Do you have any idea how much I trusted you, Yadiel? When Yael tried to slander me, I wasn’t the least bit afraid. Do you know why? Because I believed you’d always be there for me, that you’d stand up as my witness. And this is how you repay my trust?”

“I’m sorry, Lumina, I really am. I know I’ve let you down. I won’t make excuses. I only hope you can forgive me.”

Yadiel’s eyes were red, his voice quivering. “You know, my father only did it because Yael convinced him. He’s old, he wouldn’t survive prison. If I can’t even protect my own parents at this age, then what’s the point of my life?”

Lumina felt the chill of the winter morning seep straight into her bones, leaving her raw and aching. “So, to be a good son, you’d make me the sacrifice?”

Yadiel had no answer.

“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness.” He lowered his head, a tear silently dropping into his untouched soup. “I came here today so you could yell at me, say whatever you want, until you don’t hate me anymore.”

Lumina listened to his words, but inside, her heart was eerily calm. “I don’t hate you. After all, I’m still sitting here, safe and sound. But I am disappointed, so deeply disappointed, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

She understood the pain eating away at Yadiel. But Lumina also knew that if their roles had been reversed, she could never bring harm to someone else just to shield her own family. That would only pile guilt upon guilt.

Maybe it took her twenty years to finally see how she and Yadiel walked different paths; maybe that’s why it hurt so much now.

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