At that moment, a torrent of thoughts flooded her mind.

Theodore grasped her hand firmly and directed his words toward the tombstone, "Mother, this is my beloved wife, my cherished love. She is truly exceptional, and my love for her knows no bounds."

Although Theodore had expressed his love for her before, this declaration resonated with Ariana more deeply than ever.

She tenderly held Theodore's hand and touched the image on the tombstone.

Ariana's voice quivered, her eyes gleaming with determination.

“I vow to stand by his side until death do us part."

Their voices dissipated into the breeze, leaving behind a serene atmosphere.

After a while, Ariana asked softly, "Was she imprisoned in that cage at the manor in the southern suburbs?"

That cage scared her. She could still recall the panic and despair that overwhelmed her upon seeing it. She couldn't imagine the fear and anguish Aimee had endured during her decade-long captivity.

Theodore, his emotions palpable, broke the silence in a measured tone.

"Yes, she was. After she succumbed to the effects of the drug, Darian publicly declared her death from a severe illness. Within months, he married Sharon. Meanwhile, she... Languished in that place, year after year, until her last breath.”

Feeling Theodore tremble ever so slightly, Ariana enveloped him in a comforting embrace.

Theodore's gaze remained fixed on the image on the tombstone, lost in thought.

During those years, Darian's men heavily guarded the entire manor.

There was no escape for Aimee. Meanwhile, Theodore, only five years old at the time, was forbidden to see her.

Nonetheless, the young Theodore managed to clandestinely visit her by slipping through a discreet hole in the wall.

Aimee, robbed of her sanity, would still give him morsels of food upon his arrival.

She at times would lovingly caress his face one moment, only to push him away the next, her arms holding her head in terror as she begged him to stay away.

Those scenes were etched into Theodore's memory, vivid and haunting.

“Then... How did she die?" Ariana asked cautiously, her voice Laced with trepidation.