?Chapter 1335:


    “Isabe, I miss you. I cooked all your favorite dishes. Come by for dinner tonight. I need to talk to you…” Ruby’s voice broke as she began to sob. “I’m the only one caring for your father now. He wets the bed every single day, and it’s too much for me alone. We have to figure out what to do about him. I’m worn out, Isabe. My legs ache constantly, my stomach hasn’t been right, and the clinic told me I’ve got high blood pressure. Please, have somepassion for me.”


    Ruby kept pouring out herints, and Isabe grew impatient.


    “Enough. I’ll go home to visit you,” Isabe said.


    Even though she had promised herself to cut ties with the Barrett family, Isabe still found herself returning home.


    When she stepped inside, the house looked nearly the same as before. Ruby had kept everything spotless, and from the kitchen came the savory aroma of braised ribs, thick and mouthwatering. Isabe caught the scent and reluctantly admitted it smelled good.


    Hearing the front door, Ruby walked out of the kitchen. “Isabe, sit down. Dinner will be served shortly. I made all your favorite dishes.”


    Isabe remained unimpressed. She could always prepare her own meals or eat out if she pleased. Food wasn’t something that would sway her.


    “Just get to the point. I don’t have much time,” she said.


    Ruby urged her toward a chair. “You can’t leave before eating. I cooked a lot for you, got so much to share. Once dinner’s on the table, we can talk. You don’t need to worry; I have enough savings, and I won’t ask you for money.” Hearing that, Isabe gave her a brief nod.


    “Isabe! Isabe…” A muffled voice suddenly echoed, followed by the crash of something falling to the floor.


    Ruby grabbed Isabe’s arm. “Don’t mind him! He’s okay.”


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    Isabe knew at once it was Alec calling for her. Her expression turned cold.


    “I’ll check on him. You get back to the kitchen.”


    Ruby tried to stop her. That room was thest ce she wanted Isabe to see. Isabe pushed the door open, and a wave of stench rolled out. She frowned at the sight before her.


    The room had once belonged to Mack, always orderly and smelling clean. Now, though the same bedding remained, the ce was filthy.


    The sheets and mattress were smeared with waste and yellowed blotches. “This is disgusting.” Isabe pulled out her phone, took several photos, and sent them to Brenna before turning her eyes back to Alec.


    In just a few months, he had wasted away—hair grayed, cheeks sunken, his frame little more than bones beneath the skin.


    He looked utterly wretched.


    Isabe wondered whether Brenna might be satisfied to see these photos of Alec.


    Covering her nose against the foul odor, Isabe prepared to walk away. Then, she noticed the floor, sticky and grimy, clearly untouched by a mop for days.


    “Isabe, your mother mistreats me,” Alec’s voice trembled as he began to sob, his chest rising with each word, tears soaking the pillow again.


    “She beats me every day. Look at me…” Alec gestured weakly with his free hand, pointing at his face and arm. In the dim light, Isabe caught sight of several half-healed wounds.


    “It hurts…” he cried, stretching his hand toward her.<fn86b3> Follow current nov?ls on ?ovelFind</fn86b3>


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