Callum looked at me, his initial mockery slowly transforming into horror. "Stephanie Carlson..."
The fact that he shouted the name Stephanie Carlson indicated that he knew me and would be frightened upon seeing me.
"You're alive..." Callum dodged in fear and abruptly became frantic. Then, he pushed me aside before getting up and fleeing.
I regained my composure and glanced at Steven. "He appeared to be scared of me."
Steven held my hand and whispered, "He mistook someone else. Let's head back."
"Thank you all." Callum's wife expressed her gratitude despite being covered in wounds and with blood at the corner of her mouth.
"He is abusive. You can contact the police or leave him by getting a divorce." I whispered, not wanting to intervene further. Then, I turned around and left with Steven.
"When you reach your breaking point, you don't have to endure it any longer." I vaguely heard Carol say this behind me.
When I turned around, she was still standing there foolishly, comforting the woman who had suffered from domestic abuse.
I followed Steven, feeling puzzled by his attitude towards Carol. "Carol is Simmy's sister, right? You can obviously help her out of trouble even if she doesn't agree."
"Everyone has their own life, and we shouldn't interfere forcefully," he replied with a stern expression.
I furrowed my brow, struggling to comprehend.
"I have repeatedly asked Austin to give her the money, but she refuses. I have even attempted to bring her away forcefully and arranged for her to start a new and better life elsewhere. Despite my efforts, she could always find a way to escape. She insists on staying here and working, believing that she should be compensated for her labor..." Steven looked upset.
He had helped Carol many times. It was Carol who insisted on embracing her current life. I was shocked and remained silent.
On the way back with Steven, I couldn't help but gaze out the window, my mind consumed by the diary left behind by my mother. In it, she expressed concern about Steven's violent tendencies and the abuse I endured at his hands.
"When I was 18 years old, I disappeared for a while. Did you take me away? Is it true that you imprisoned me and abused me?" I asked in a low voice.
Steven glanced at me knowingly, aware that I had read the diary. He gradually tightened his grip on my hand while speaking softly. "If I deny it, will you believe me?"
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