The Revenge Donna Hid for Two Decades Chapter 06

The Revenge Donna Hid for Two Decades Chapter 06

We sat facing the floor–to–ceiling windows in a café. 

“It’s been twenty years. Neither of us has married.” Julian let out a soft chuckle. “We’ve both clung stubbornly to our own 

obsessions all these years.” 

“Your obsession has always been my younger sister, hasn’t 

it?” I replied flatly. 

He did not deny it, then smiled faintly. “Twenty years is long enough to let everything fade away. Cleo, let’s build a family together.” 

I looked at him in surprise, confused by his sudden proposal. 

After all, Julian had hated me for two decades, convinced I had schemed against him and made him miss out on Vera. 

“Weren’t you always filled with hatred toward me, Mr. 

Ashford?” 

“All resentment fades with twenty years passing by.” He fixed his gaze on me. “Besides, we share a son you’ve raised for twenty years. It’s time I step up and take on my role as his father, don’t you think?” 

I looked at his smile and burst out laughing. “How many times do I have to tell you this? Theo is not your child.” 

He was stunned. “But that night was the only time we were 

ever together…” 

“That’s true.” I nodded. “Yet twenty years have passed since 

then. Mr. Ashford, are you honestly telling me you stayed 

completely celibate all these years?” 

Julian’s breath hitched, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. “But didn’t the child’s own father abandon you?” 

“Not exactly.” I gazed out at the pouring rain. “To be precise, I left him.” 

My phone buzzed. A message arrived from that old number I hadn’t forgotten in twenty years: [I’m in New York. Care to grab dinner together?] 

He sent me the same invitation twelve times every single year 

without fail. 

For the first time ever, I replied voluntarily: [Sure.] 

Julian’s eyes darted to my phone screen, his tone heavy with dejection. “It’s him, isn’t it? Theo’s real father is him? So I 

truly stand no chance at all, do I?” 

I stood up and left without another word. 

Two months later, I received news that my mother was 

critically ill, and she insisted on seeing me. 

When I arrived at the hospital, she was hooked up to countless 

medical tubes. Her eyes grew watery the second she saw me. 

Her illness had struck suddenly, and no one knew what the 

future held. 

This was only the second time she had held my hand so tightly 

ever since I was born. 

“I know I’ve wronged you, my child. I poured all my love into 

your younger sister instead.” 

I stared at her, lost for words. 

“When I was pregnant with Vera, your father brought his mistress home and caused endless chaos. I was tangled up in family disputes and property divisions back then. I was worn 

out both physically and mentally in those days. Vera suffered 

greatly even while still in my womb, leaving her frail and 

sickly from birth, as you well know. My heart ached terribly 

every time she fell ill. I felt guilty toward her, and that’s 

why…” She choked back tears. “I never meant to treat you 

unfairly.” 

Tears welled up in my eyes. 

“Mother… I was never the one who owed my sister anything. 

Why did I always end up bearing all the consequences 

instead?” 

My mother froze completely, her vital signs beginning to 

fluctuate wildly. 

She let out a long sigh, closed her eyes, and shed a single tear. “You’re right. It was all my fault. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?” 

Facing her hopeful gaze, I spoke firmly. “I cannot forgive 

you.” 

I pulled my hand away from hers. “I’m truly sorry, madam, but I can never bring myself to forgive you.” 

Her condition deteriorated rapidly. Medical staff rushed into the ward in a panic, and I walked out. 

Vera waited anxiously outside, eyes red and tearful as she 

leaned into Ethan’s embrace. 

The moment she spotted me, she flew into a rage. “What were you saying! Couldn’t you just lie and comfort her?” 

I smiled faintly. “I can’t.” 

She had grown up doted on and spoiled all her life, but I never had that luxury. 

I simply could not do it. If I pretended to forgive her, it would feel like betraying the helpless, heartbroken version of myself who knelt weeping all those years ago.