---- Chapter 20 The private investigator handed Adrian a thick stack of documents. Kathleen and Adrian froze when they saw that Ella and the hit -and-run driver, named Leo Ward, were once lovers. "This man, Leo Ward, now runs a small company with decent income. He's been in contact with Ella all these years," the investigator said. "Oh, and we looked into Ella too. Her daughter is also his." 2 Kathleen let out a cold laugh. Joshua Hayes likely didn't know he'd been deceived for years. "Is Joshua still refusing the divorce? Well, I'll give him a big gift," she said. Kathleen took the documents to Joshua's hospital room on his discharge day. "Kathleen? You're here? Did you come to pick me up?" Joshua asked, his face lighting up with excitement. He believed she still cared, but his smile vanished at her next words. "| don't have time for that, Joshua. Did you know your mistress had a daughter with another man?" Kathleen said, ---- smirking coldly as she handed him a paternity test. Joshua's face flushed as he read it, his hands trembling. "Impossible. | did a paternity test. | accepted Heart. Ella couldn't have lied to me." Kathleen's eyes blazed with anger. "She didn't just lie to you. She killed my parents, Joshua. This is all because of you. You're scum. A monster." She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, wishing she could destroy the man before her. "My parents took you in, paid for your education, gave you their beloved daughter. And how did you repay them?" Kathleen hit and kicked Joshua, consumed by hatred. Even his betrayal hadn't driven her to this. But he caused her parents 'death. How could she let that go? Adrian rushed in at the commotion, pulling Kathleen into his arms. The doctor warned she couldn't get too emotional. "Kathleen, calm down. I'll handle everything. Don't cry. Remember what you promised Ellen? Take care of yourself, no matter what. Be good, don't cry," he said. The Kathleen he knew was always calm and composed. Only this wretched man could break her like this. Adrian released her and punched Joshua twice. Joshua, still reeling from the reports, didn't fight back or argue. ---- His freshly healed wound reopened, blood staining his shirt, but he felt no pain "Kathleen, if Ella did this, | won't let her go," he said. Ignoring his bleeding, he turned and left. Kathleen, unable to stand, leaned into Adrian, choking on sobs. "Kathleen, crying won't bring your parents back. We'll work to get justice, but you have to take care of yourself first, okay?" Adrian said, coaxing her gently. For the first time in his life, Adrian felt a fierce need to protect a woman. He realized he had fallen in love with Kathleen. He took her back to the hotel, watching her sob even in sleep, his heart aching. "Kathleen, what am | going to do with you? Let me love you from now on, okay?" he whispered, kissing her cheek softly before holding her as they drifted to sleep. Joshua bailed Ella out of jail. She thought he still cared, crying apologies. "Joshua, | knew you wouldn't abandon me. I'm Tara's mother, after all. You..." she began. Before she could finish, two bodyguards dragged her into a car. "Honey, what's this?" she asked, noticing Leo Ward, bound tightly, and a trembling Tara in the car. ---- Seeing Joshua's expressionless face, Ella felt a chill. "Joshua, what's going on?" she asked, feigning ignorance despite knowing the truth. Joshua spoke coldly. "Nothing. Just taking your little family for a paternity test." Ella grabbed at him. "What are you talking about? Tara's our child." She tried to say more, but a bodyguard gagged her. They were taken to a private facility. After blood tests, results came in two hours. Joshua held the report and laughed, not with anger but with bitter realization. He was the most pathetic one of all. s