A Love Buried by Secrets novel Chapter 12

The guests had gradually drifted away, and the banquet hall fell quiet after the earlier commotion, leaving only Elliot and a few of his friends behind. They shared uneasy glances before finally stepping closer to him.

"Eli, maybe you should go check on Ms. Foster at the hospital."

"After you went onstage, we got curious and opened Serena's gift to you. That's how we found that."

"I'm sorry, Eli, but if it's really true, playing that video wouldn't be fair to Serena."

They all spoke at once, their voices overlapping. After seeing Vincent's reaction and reading the contract, they'd already guessed that Adeline's situation was likely true. But for now, no one dared to press Elliot any further.

Elliot looked utterly hollow. He'd seen the contract himself. Vincent's and Adeline's names were clearly there, yet he'd never known. His lips moved soundlessly, his throat too dry to form words.

He'd done so much to Serena in the name of revenge. He even destroyed her legs, making sure she could never fulfill her dream of dancing. Now, he was being told that he had been the one at fault all along.

He remembered his past with Serena—how her eyes had always shone like scattered starlight and how they had looked at him with nothing but love. Yet, he had twisted all that into a way to manipulate her.

After a long silence, he spoke, his voice rough. "Serena... where is she?"

He still hadn't seen her.

His friends shook their heads. They hadn't seen her either.

Elliot said nothing and left, heading straight for the hospital. Karen had just woken up. When she saw him, her eyes filled with tears. She had no idea that Elliot had been manipulating Serena the whole time.

"Get out."

Karen's face was stone cold. She didn't want him there.

But Elliot ignored her. He stood motionless beside the bed, his expression utterly blank, like a man stripped of all emotion.

"Ms. Foster, where is Rena?"

Hearing him say Serena's name sent fury coursing through Karen.

For years, she'd dismissed the rumors for his sake and in memory of the late Adeline. She'd convinced herself that if she held on, he would eventually see her devotion, accept her, and they could start anew as a family.

Now, the truth was evident. Elliot had despised her all along! Over nothing but baseless suspicions, he'd deceived Serena again and again! And despite it all, they'd carried on together constantly!

Elliot's throat tightened. He clenched his fists, but no retort came. He wasn't even sure what he wanted anymore.

Just like that, she was out of his life, and he couldn't even apologize to her. His jaw tensed as he fixed his gaze on the floor.

"Dad, is Rena… never going to forgive me?" Elliot asked hesitantly.

Vincent scoffed in response and left the question unanswered. Only one thing was certain.

Once Karen had recovered, Vincent carried out the punishment according to the family's tradition. He gave Elliot 99 lashes, beating him to the brink of death.

Elliot's back was torn to ribbons, blood streaking down his body. Yet, he never made a single sound. His eyes stayed empty as he relentlessly demanded to know where Serena was.

Vincent snorted, turned away, and walked off without offering him an answer.