His Sweet Mate

Chapter 4

ADRIANA'S POV

Murmurs erupted in the hall. Where there used to be music and joyful chatters, it was replaced by skeptical whispers and intrigued glances. Who would have thought that the daughter who was presumed dead is now back? Alive and kicking.

Adriana remained standing in front of the table, relishing the look on her family's faces. She could also hear what the people were whispering about. It was about her, looking more and more beautiful than before. She couldn't help but groan. It's all that the people see. How good or how bad someone looks.

"This is not just a miracle. It's a joyful occasion! We just talked about how the Roseinhart family has been having a string of good fortune. It's been three years, and Adriana has returned safe and sound. Isn't that a great cause for celebration?" One of the guests whispered a little louder. Adriana hid the smirk on her face as she looked at how her family's surprised look changed into confusion and then disgust and then fear.

That's right. They should feel fear. After all, they're the ones who staged her death. But she's not going to let out all her cards at once. For now, she can play the game of pretend.

"But why is she wearing black?" asked one of the guests. The whispers were getting louder she didn't think they were meant to be whispers anymore. If you really give people something to talk about, they won't care about when and where they are. They are going to talk about it.

"Didn't you hear her say it? Today is not only the birthday of Lady Racquela but also the anniversary of Jacinda Roseinhart's death."

"She killed herself after she found her husband having a mistress, right?"

"Shh. Shut your mouth. What you said is not true at all. Jacinda Roseinhart died in a fire."

Adriana's gaze went to her father, Harris, who was sitting beside her grandmother. He looked like he still hadn't recovered from the shock, but he was wise enough to do something after seeing the guests' reaction. He immediately plastered a smile after quickly controlling his emotions and stood from his seat.

"Adriana," he called, Adriana noticed how her father's voice shake from the emotions he was faking. "Oh, my love. It's been so long. We all thought--we all thought you were gone. The search and rescue couldn't do anything to find you. And yet...oh the gods have blessed us mercy for they sent you back to us again."

It took every ounce of her willpower not to grimace at her father. She tried to calm herself down by reminding herself that they are believing that she has forgotten everything they did to her. She will hold on to that and work on her revenge.

"Why are you still standing there? Come closer and let your grandmother see you." Her father urged and her gaze went back again to her grandma. She couldn't read the expression on her grandma's face but she walked closer, anyhow.

Whatever her grandma is feeling right now, she is perfectly masking it with a stoic expression. But then as soon as she was close, her grandma suddenly started tearing up.

"You, how could you disappear for three years and not give any news to the family? How did you find your way back? You were so, so young, Adriana my dear. How much suffering have you experienced outside? It really hurts your grandmother's heart."

Perfectly said words to stir the mass' interest and pity. A family who lost two people and now one of them is apparently alive. The family is beyond ecstatic to see that the granddaughter is not dead. As expected of her family, they will always find a way to maintain the perfect image. It's sickening. But for the sake of her revenge, she will put up with it.

Adriana lowered her eyelids, hiding the anger and hatred inside her. She knew that Racquela would not be happy to see her come back alive, and no one in the Roseinhart family would be happy either. After all, every one of them was a heartless killer! But it wouldn't end well for them if they start mistreating her in front of all these people. Hence, the perfect mask of a very flawed family.

"Grandma," Adriana said, tears streaming down her face, and raised her voice slightly to ensure that everyone around her could hear what she said. "When I took the ferry that year, it sank in the river, and I was supposed to be dead. But that night, a wealthy couple in a big cargo ship heading south in a hurry discovered me and rescued me. I was lucky. I think all those prayers you did for me the moment I went missing were all useful.

"On the ship, there was a doctor who had been treating me, but I was unconscious for many days. They could only take me with them. However, the goods they were carrying were destined for a foreign country. So, I ended up following them to a foreign country without really knowing it.

I had been soaking in the river for too long, and the doctor said that blood had accumulated in my brain. When I woke up, I didn't remember who I was. I had to continue to rely on that wealthy couple to take care of me. Later, as the couple had no children, I recognized them as my foster parents...

Two years ago, due to the war, the sea transportation was cut off. It was difficult for me to return home to find my family. So, I stayed overseas, studying and learning business skills from my foster parents. Until recently, I finally remembered who I was and the shipping route was reopened. I couldn't wait to come back. And now, I am here. I can't believe I am actually here now."

When they tossed her into the ocean like a sack of garbage, she was lucky enough to be saved by good people. At that time, she felt nothing but rage from the betrayal. It was something that fueled her to live on even as the temptation of ending her life often come to seduce her. Her foster parents were patient enough with her, which is something she is very thankful for.

Three years ago have passed and now, they are seeing her alive and well. She can pretend that she doesn't remember what happened and how she ended up in the ocean. It's crucial so she will find out what they're planning and she could expose them to the world.

The Roseinhart family is wealthy. However, the foster parents that adopted her were insanely rich. Not only that, they also have extensive connections and influence. Learning business and how the world works was easy for Adriana. And now, she's a new woman. A woman that has risen from the ashes and shall bring the light of justice.

"To survive falling into the river and to have such good fortune, Adriana is destined to have good luck in the future," murmured one of the guests and the others nodded in agreement.

"Adriana is a wealthy and noble person. Perhaps in the future, the entire Roseinhart family will have to rely on her to rise to a higher level of status."

Racquela's expression almost couldn't hold up under the comments. Adriana noted it. Her grandma still doesn't like her that much. She doesn't care, though. She doesn't like anyone in her family, either.

Adriana knows very well how her grandma wanted to shut the guests so bad but that would put her in a bad light. After all, what would the people think if she stops them from praising her missing grandchild? Not only that, this is supposed to be a piece of very big news, knowing that she was supposed to be dead but found alive.

"Grandma," Adriana took the initiative to grab Racquela's hand, and she clearly felt Racquela's body stiffen for a moment. Adriana continued speaking calmly, "I remember who I am now, but there are still many things I cannot remember. Mother has passed away, and now, I only have you as my few remaining relatives..."

"Are you saying... you have forgotten some things?" Racquela immediately caught the key point in Adriana's words, squinted her eyes, and asked, "Do you still remember how your mother passed away?"

"I know. Before I came back, my foster parents had someone help me check some information," Adriana said, "My mother... had a bad fate. She drowned in the water at night and was taken away by a fire! But I didn't even see her for the last time. It's been three years now, and I'm really...regretful that I didn't get to say goodbye to her."

"What else do you remember?" Her father took a few big steps over and asked anxiously.

Adriana felt her web of the trap. Her family is slowly falling into the trap she had set.

"I remember many things, but I just forgot what happened when I was sixteen, or more accurately, what happened before and after my mother's death," Adriana said, "The doctor said it was because I was too sad and didn't want to remember that experience. It was a trauma response. But it doesn't matter. People shouldn't always live in pain." She smiled at them, showing them how much her life has turned a completely different turn and that she is not the same miserable woman they tried to kill.

"Forget it! That's right, forget it!" Adriana's father said, then realized he shouldn't have said that and quickly changed his words, "What I mean is, Adriana, you're right. We shouldn't mention those sad things from the past. You are... alive and back, and your grandma and I are very happy!"

"So, you go down first and change your clothes. Today is your grandma's sixtieth birthday." Her father eyed her clothes and she saw how his face contorted ever so slightly with disdain. But it was gone as soon as it came.

"Yes! Today is Grandma's birthday, and I also prepared a birthday gift for her!" She did not wait to see everyone's attention. She squatted down, opened her luggage, and took out an exquisite gift box.

***

Three years ago, Adriana did not return on the day her mother died, but on the evening before. Her intention was to bring a birthday gift for Racquela's upcoming birthday. Despite Racquela's dislike of her since childhood, she still wanted to treat her kindly. She wanted her grandma to notice her and love her like how a grandma should.

She secretly returned home through the back door, planning to surprise her family upon her arrival only to witness Racquela forcibly feeding her mother poison, causing her mother to die from poisoning.

Her father, Harris Roseinhart, stood by and watched with extreme indifference.

It was all because her grandma and her father accused her mother of having an affair, and indeed there was a naked man in her mother's room at the time.

But she didn't believe her mother would do such a thing, so she stepped forward to defend her mother. However, her grandma and her father wanted to lock her up. In order to save her mother, she took the opportunity to run out of the house to seek help from Julian Terranova, her fiance at that time.

Julian Terranova was the person she wanted to marry, the eldest son of the Terranova family. The Terranova family is powerful. At that time, she thought that if Julian would help then, her mother would survive.

But when she found Julian Terranova, she ended up dying in his hands.

Three years ago, she prepared a painting for her grandmother as a birthday gift, embroidered stitch by stitch, and wished her. She poured every sincere thing she wished for her grandma into that painting.

Three years later, she only wished that this vicious old woman would go to hell as soon as possible! - Everyone who harmed her mother and her should go to hell. That was her conviction. That's what fueled her to live on.

Now, she's finally got the chance to give her grandma a gift. This time, she's giving this not to earn her grandma's favor but to remind herself that this is the start of the path she chose to take.

The painting was a beautiful depiction of death. An angel of death with a scythe and the blood flowing from its hands. The guests couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the painting too.

"You wicked woman!"

Adriana looked at Maeve, her half-sister. "How could you give this kind of gift to our grandma? Are you cursing her to die?"

She faced Maeve who was furious she could almost see smoke coming out of her nose.

"Maeve, this painting is the only remaining painting remaining of the popular artist that passed away fifty years ago. As you already know, our dear grandma has very sophisticated taste. I bought this painting to give to her to add to her collection of valuable things. I don't know why you think I am cursing her to die."

Maeve blinked and then looked at the painting again. Adriana, on the other hand, clenched and unclenched her fist to calm herself too.

Tonight, she will remain firm and she shall see it to the end.