?Chapter 555:


    With aforting gesture, he gently massaged the back of her neck and reassured her, “If you’d rather not deal with her, then don’t. There’s no reason to feel guilty or ashamed.”


    “But Grandma wasn’t like this before.” Lowering her head to look at her fingertips, she mumbled, “She was always so kind to me before.”


    “Ellie, people’s feelings may change over time.” He noticed her silence and let out a sigh.


    “Do you think Brisa is kind to me now?” he suddenly asked.


    “Very kind.” Her response came from genuine observation. Every time they met, Brisa always greeted Kaiden with open arms and a smile, her affection and warmth unmistakable and sincere.


    Kaiden chuckled.


    From thisughter, she heard coldness.


    Her eyes widened in surprise at his reaction. The two were close to each other. The moment she turned her head, the tip of her nose brushed against his.


    For a brief moment, Kaiden gazed into her eyes before softly pressing his lips to hers. It was a gentle kiss.


    She was uncertain whether his kiss was meant to offer her sce or… if he was seeking it for himself.


    “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been prone to illness,” Kaiden told her.


    “Were you unwell often as a child?” Ellie asked, surprised. But she had never noticed him showing any signs of poor health, especially given his ability to work tirelessly through the night.


    “Yes. Back then, my grandfather was still alive. Whenever I fell sick, Jorge had to visit me. And Brisa, she was actually happy about it.” Noticing the shock on her face, Kaiden realized she had figured it out.


    “Yes, she drugged my meals. In the cold winter, she handed me only a light jacket and forced me to bow until my forehead ached… She deliberately made me sick to draw Jorge’s attention.”


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    Ellie instinctively sat up straighter. “Why… She appears to be…”


    “She seems to be a good person?” Kaiden interjected. “She’s not a bad person. After achieving her goal of meeting Jorge, she often broke down in tears and begged me for forgiveness.” However… Was her apology meaningful?


    Ellie understood it was not. It was much like her current aversion to seeing Cecelia again.


    “It must have been tough on you,” Ellie said softly, unsure of what else to say.


    Kaiden simplyughed and replied indifferently, “I was alright.”


    “I had no idea… I’m sorry… I’m sorry that I thought you were cold-blooded toward Brisa.”


    With empathy for Kaiden, Ellie wrapped her arms around him tightly, hoping to transfer some strength to him.


    Kaiden had intended to tell her more. After the loss of his grandfather, his illnesses no longer brought Jorge to his side. Those were the days he faced harsh criticism from his own mother, who dismissed him as worthless. Brisa, in her rage, would strike him. Sometimes, he would be locked in a cramped, dark cupboard and not allowed to eat, go to school, or talk to anyone. Compared to such treatment, the difort from his illnesses seemed trivial.


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