Regret Came Too Late (Grace and Ethan) novel Chapter 178

Grace arched an eyebrow, realizing Maria was just another person Alice had deceived.

After Maria finished speaking, she sank back into her seat, her voice trembling. "Alice was always such a shy girl. When she lived with us, we cared for her, especially Taylor. But for reasons we never understood, the other girls never liked her. So we did everything we could to protect and keep her happy."

Tears began to fall as she continued, "Taylor might not have been the sharpest, but he was kind and pure-hearted. He'd fight anyone to protect Alice, often coming home bruised and battered. Six years ago, he was injured protecting her and fell unconscious. Alice blamed herself and said she would take on multiple jobs to make things right.

"Then, somehow, the Lamberts took her in. At first, we were so relieved for her, but things soon fell apart. My husband, Randy, got caught up in it all and was sentenced to 20 years. I begged the Lamberts for help, but they turned their backs on us. They wouldn't even let Alice see us.

"She snuck out a few times and gave me 20 thousand dollars. She cried, saying there was nothing more she could do for us. She was barely twenty—how could I place all that burden on her?

"I searched for evidence that Randy was innocent, but every step I took, someone was there to stop me, to hurt me. These past five years, I've been barely surviving. Later, I found out Taylor had been brought to this hospital, and I've come by to see him several times."

Her hands were rough, calloused, and covered in scars. "I don't know who brought Taylor here, so I've been waiting nearby. When I saw you, I couldn't believe you were the one helping him.

"After the Lamberts knew about Randy's crime, they swore they'd cut ties with us for good. No amount of begging changed their minds."

She went on, "That's why I've been hiding. I was afraid you'd stop helping Taylor if you saw me. But I'm out of options. Randy's been locked up for five years now. He says it's unbearable. He's constantly beaten and doesn't know how much more he can take. He asked me to take care of myself and Taylor."

"So, instead of dragging things out, she had to ensure the Lamberts severed ties first. That way, she could live freely, enjoying life as their cherished daughter."

Maria's face drained of color as she shook her head slightly. "No, that's impossible. Alice isn't like that. Grace, you're her sister—how can you accuse her like this? She told me that after returning to the Lambert residence, you were awful to her. She said you bullied her, and I even saw the bruises on her."

"Well, isn't that a coincidence?" Grace shot back. "When the Lamberts took Alice in, they saw the bruises and assumed you had mistreated her. And with that dramatic relative of yours always causing a scene, no one would question it."

"That's impossible..." Maria murmured, still shaking her head. She had raised Alice for years—how could she not know her?