Chapter 59: The Diary

Elias's gaze turned hollow for a moment before he spoke with a faint, mocking smile. "Peter never really tried to hide it. From a young age, he told me not to entertain any fantasies—don't expect to inherit anything. My life was meant for Marcellus's sake. During every health check, all my data was meticulously recorded to ensure I remained in perfect condition, ready for emergencies."

Alia felt a dull ache in her chest, as if suffocated by Elias's story. She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the heavy weight pressing down on her heart, but she couldn't stop herself from asking, "Was there… another reason?"

Elias lifted his head, his gaze growing colder and deeper. "Of course. Another reason was to protect Marcellus. Back then, heirs of noble families were frequently targeted—assassinated due to rivalries or disputes of interest. By making the public believe I was Marcellus's brother, Peter created a diversion. At the very least, the world thought our family had two heirs."

"Two heirs?" Alia frowned slightly. "So, your existence was just a decoy?"

Elias nodded, his voice laced with bitter irony. "Exactly—a pawn, a disposable shield. If anyone targeted our family, I could be sacrificed to protect Marcellus. So not only was I his 'blood bag,' but also his 'stand-in.'"

Alia felt as if something had pierced her heart, a complex wave of emotions surging within her. She had never imagined Elias's past to be so cruel.

"Didn't they… treat you with even a little sincerity?" she asked cautiously, her tone hesitant and uncertain.

Elias let out a wry chuckle, his gaze fixed on the distance. "Sincerity? Maybe Emma cared for me, but it was mostly overshadowed by her devotion to Marcellus. As for Peter, he didn't even bother pretending."

His voice grew quieter, as if the memories had numbed him. "I've long since gotten used to it—being manipulated, used, and having no one genuinely care about how I feel."

Alia watched him silently, wanting to say something but unable to find the right words. Elias's story felt like a heavy iron chain, wrapping around her heart. She finally understood why he had brought her here—this orphanage, a place that carried the memories of his childhood, was not only where his life began but also the source of his deepest pain.

But then, Elias let out a soft sigh and turned to look at Alia. His eyes held a complicated mix of emotions. "At least now, I have a choice. And you, Livia, will you choose to trust me?"

Elias's expression suddenly became both solemn and tender. His gaze bore into Alia, making her feel a strange unease.

"I wonder… does Marcellus know about all this?" she asked cautiously, her tone carrying a hint of doubt and faint hope, as though she wished for a denial.

Elias sneered, a mixture of disappointment and sorrow flashing in his eyes. "Why? Are you brainwashed by him? Do you think he wouldn't know? Everything—every arrangement—was for him! Maybe he didn't understand when he was young, but later? How could he not have known?"

Alia froze, feeling as though her heart was being squeezed. She shook her head, trying to defend Marcellus. "No… he doesn't seem like that kind of person…"

Before she could finish, Elias cut her off coldly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What do you think he is? Some harmless college boy? You've truly been brainwashed after losing your memory." His tone was sharp, every word slicing like a knife.

"Listen to me. Marcellus didn't marry you out of love. He married you for a relic and the influence your father held. Those things were what truly mattered to him. You were just part of the equation."

"That's not true…" Alia shook her head, wanting to deny it but afraid to delve deeper into the possibility. She hesitated, then asked, "Did I know all this before?"

"You knew some of it before you lost your memory, but as for this orphanage, I've only brought you here now," Elias replied, pausing before his tone grew more complex. "To be honest, you came to me before your memory loss. You told me you suspected your mother's death was connected to Marcellus, but you didn't provide any details. You also said you wanted revenge on Marcellus, to make him suffer, though you never explained further."

He paused, lowering his gaze as if recalling something painful. "That's why you approached me. That's why we ended up… involved. You initiated it all. It was something I never dared to dream of before."

Elias's tone softened considerably as he exhaled deeply, suppressing the bitterness in his heart. He knew better than to take out his resentment against Marcellus and his family on Livia.

With a calm voice, he continued, "But clearly, your memory loss has erased all of that. You've forgotten the hatred between you and Marcellus. You've also forgotten the bond we once shared." Fixing his gaze on Alia, his tone grew resolute. "Here's what you should do: if you don't believe me, read his diary. It's in his study, under the left corner of his desk. There's a hidden compartment with a small box. The password is 0402. The contents will show you the truth."

Alia stared at Elias, waves of shock crashing through her. She had always known about the affair between Livia and Elias, but she never imagined that Livia had been the one to initiate it. What shocked her even more was how much Elias seemed to know about Marcellus.

"How do you know all this?" she finally asked, her voice filled with disbelief and a trace of unease. "Even his diary… how did you manage that?"