Chapter 20

Amid her curses, Samuel had Elise sent to prison, and she was deported back to Westland. Samuel planned to send Lucas to an orphanage, but a childless couple from the Felton family volunteered to adopt him. The chaos had started late at night and ended by morning. Samuel hadn't slept all night before heading to the victims' funeral. There were no coffins, only a wall with the names of those lost. Countless grieving family members cried uncontrollably. Among them, Samuel stood out like an outsider. His face showed no emotion, as if he were merely an observer. But upon closer look, his trembling hands hidden in his pockets and his bloodshot, unblinking eyes betrayed him. Before the ceremony ended, Samuel left early. As soon as he stepped outside, a violent cough shook his chest, and he spat out thick blood that landed on the ground. Without even looking back, he wiped his mouth and walked away. Only when he got into the car did the metallic taste in his throat hit him again. He