Chapter 381
Florence Atlante was immensely grateful she had listened to Sebastian's advice.
She had persisted with her eye treatment and physical therapy.
Her vision was gradually improving.
Now she could finally see her granddaughter's face clearly.
It was the spitting image of her daughter in her youth.
Isabella was astonished to learn her parents had already met her daughter.
Sophia softly recounted their first meeting.
Isaac couldn't help but sigh.
"We've been searching for you all these years."
"We've looked everywhere, both domestically and abroad."
"Never imagined we were so close by."
"And we missed each other twice."
"Thank goodness we didn't miss you this time."
Florence Atlante recalled Sophia and Sebastian had met even earlier.
It seemed fate had its own plans.
"Clara, Sebastian is actually your cousin."
"All these years, he never had a clue."
Sebastian had remained silent since earlier.
His face was tense, expression rigid.
Sophia paused for a moment, then quickly caught on.
She smiled and called out, "Brother."
Sebastian's fists suddenly clenched.
The emotions in his eyes were dark and unreadable.
Florence Atlante didn't notice, continuing to smile on her own.
"If only Sebastian had been a bit more observant."
"Perhaps we would have been reunited much sooner."
Isaac waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't say that."
"It's already wonderful that Sebastian and Clara have this connection."
"We shouldn't be too greedy."
"Yes, yes, this is good enough."
"Truly good enough."
Finding their daughter in their lifetime was already a tremendous blessing.
Florence Atlante didn't dare ask for more.
Sophia held her cup and smiled.
Sebastian kept his eyes downcast, remaining silent.
He was unusually quiet.
Not his usual composed self.
Isabella was also surprised by the connection between the two.
But she was more curious about their experiences over the years.
Her memories of her parents had mostly returned.
Ever since she hit her head during the argument with Nina Moore.
Fragments of memory kept surfacing.
Now, seeing Isaac and Florence Atlante in person.
Hearing them talk about her childhood.
The gaps in Isabella's memory were finally filled.
Except...
"How exactly did I go missing?"
"I still have no memory of how I ended up in the river."
She only remembered going shopping with her sister, Irene.
What happened after that?
She couldn't recall at all.
Mentioning this, Isabella thought of Irene.
"How is sister? Has she been well all these years?"
Isaac and Florence Atlante exchanged a glance and fell silent simultaneously.
Irene didn't know they had found Isabella.
They hadn't planned to bring her along.
Seeing their hesitation, Isabella was about to ask again.
Florence Atlante sighed.
"She's fine, everything is fine."
"She married Theodore."
Hearing that name again, Isabella felt a bit dazed.
The image of the spirited young man surfaced in her mind.
They had grown up together, once promising forever.
Now, over twenty years had passed.
He married her sister, and she married David.
Past affections had all turned to smoke.
Isabella felt happy for her sister.
"It's all in the past."
"No need to bring it up anymore."
"How have you been all these years?" The elderly couple only cared about their daughter's experiences.
Isabella smiled, only sharing the good parts.
She had drifted along the river to the neighboring city, where David Sullivan saved her.
She couldn't remember her past, only vaguely recalling the sound "Isabella Sullivan."
When David helped her register for household registration, he used the name "Isabella."
David had reported to the police at the time.
But investigative techniques were limited back then.
The internet wasn't widespread.
Eventually, the case was dropped.
She settled in the neighboring city.
David helped her adapt to her new life.
They developed feelings for each other during their time together.
Although her mother-in-law often made things difficult.
David always treated her very well.
They supported each other.
David took meticulous care of her.
At this point, she looked toward David.
He had been sitting quietly since the introductions.
Feeling Isabella's gaze, he had no time to wonder.
He watched as she walked toward him.
Gently linking her arm with his.
She formally introduced him to her parents again.
"Mom, Dad, David saved my life."
"He gave me a stable life."
"He is not only my savior."
"But also the love of my life."
"He is truly wonderful."
"And he has been so good to me all these years."
"Meeting him and giving birth to Sophia."
"Are the happiest things that have ever happened to me."
David was shocked and surprised.
A smile soon spread across his face.
He looked at Isabella with deep affection.
The elderly couple looked at their daughter's determined expression.
Finally, they gave David their full attention.
While the elders were talking.
Sophia got up to use the restroom.
When she came out, Sebastian was waiting for her.
His face held a deathly stillness.
Beneath the stillness lay a heartbreaking despair.
Sophia hadn't expected him to follow her.
She instinctively called him "Brother."
That word was like a key.
Instantly unleashing the madness and despair in his eyes.
His dark eyes locked onto her.
He spoke, word by word.
"To hell with brother."
"I never wanted to be your brother!"
He lifted his head.
Sophia was shocked by the emotions in his eyes.
There was attachment, despair.
And an obsession that wouldn't turn back until it hit a wall.
Sebastian stepped closer.
He backed Sophia into a corner.
"You know perfectly well how I feel about you..."