?<strong>Chapter 977:</strong>


    Adrian observed his strainedposure, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Although she didn’t want you, there was someone who took you in without a second thought.”


    His words pointed to Joelle, but Rnd’s thoughts drifted to someone else entirely.


    “That’s right. My dad was the one who loved me the most in the world.” Rnd’s expression hardened, his tone growing colder. “Even when he was dying, he cared about my future more than anything else—unlike others.”


    Joelle returned with the water she had bought, pausing at the doorway as every word of Rnd and Adrian’s conversation reached her ears.


    “Unlike others. They treat me like a tool, snatching me up when I’m useful, and discarding me when I’m not. Adrian Miller, do you and that woman really think that by showing a little kindness, I’d be so grateful I’d start fawning over you? Don’t even dream about it. If it wasn’t for my dad, you wouldn’t even have had the chance to see me. Who do you think you are? Youe here and start criticizing the man who raised me. He gave his life to save me, and what did you do? All you do is talk! I’ve been living just fine for the past ten years, and it will only get better without you!”


    Rnd poured out his true feelings in one breath, his tone sharp and unapologetic. Even if some of his words were exaggerated, he needed Adrian to understand—he wasn’t going to forget the pain and the past just because they were being nice to him now.


    His uncle had been killed, and his mother’s fate was still a mystery. How could he ever be part of their so-called family?


    Their talk of returning to Illerith was nothing more than a strategy to use him as a pawn. Once they reached Illerith, he knew they’d toss him aside again.


    He was exhausted from constantly being uprooted. When would it end? Instead of holding on to false hope, it was better to let them know now—he didn’t care at all.


    As Rnd finished speaking, his gaze flicked to the doorway, where Joelle now stood.


    She looked deeply hurt, which only made Rnd’s unease grow sharper. He could feel Joelle’s kindness towards him, but it came wrapped in something suffocating—a feeling of being molded like a doll, manipted under the guise of love.


    This suspicion, this unease, was growing stronger by the day.


    “Get out!” Rnd’s voice sliced through the tense air like a whip.


    Joelle’s lips parted slightly, as if to exin, but before she could say anything, Rnd hurled the cup beside him straight at her.


    Adrian moved quickly, pulling Joelle aside just in time. The cup smashed against the wall, shards scattering across the floor. If Adrian hadn’t intervened, it might have struck her face.


    “Rnd! Never—”


    Rnd cut her off with a furious roar. “Get out! I don’t need your fake concern!”


    Adrian’s eyes hardened. He had tolerated Rnd’s outbursts, but he wouldn’t allow Joelle to be harmed.


    “If youy a hand on her again, we’ll leave you here to fend for yourself.”


    The threat was sharp, meant to wound, but it had the opposite effect on Rnd. It only deepened his fears, confirming the gnawing sense of abandonment he carried like a weight on his chest.


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