Theodore, returning to the present, let out a pained sigh.

"She took her own life!"

He lowered himself, resting his head on Ariana's shoulder, as if finding solace in her embrace. A long sigh escaped his lips as if his sorrow-laden heart had finally found a momentary respite.

Comforting him with her embrace, Ariana whispered soothingly, “Everything will be alright. The past is behind us now."

"Yes," he responded with a somber tone before continuing, "You've been curious about Marley, haven't you?"

Ariana couldn't help but feel surprised when Theodore mentioned Marley in such an unexpected circumstance.

She gazed at him with a blank expression as he straightened up and forced a bitter smile.

"Marley is my... half-sister," he revealed.

The words hung in the air, and Ariana's mind struggled to comprehend the sudden revelation.

Hadn't Marley been the girl of his dreams? How could she suddenly become his sister?

The weight of this new information was hard for Ariana to digest. Based on Marley's photos, she estimated that Marley was probably around six years younger than Theodore. But at that time, Aimee had been imprisoned in the manor by Darian. How could she have gotten pregnant?

If Marley truly was Theodore's sister, why had she Lived in that small town and met such a tragic fate?

Ariana found it difficult to wrap her head around it all.

Sensing her shock and confusion, Theodore intended to explain, but as he was about to speak, a wave of pain gripped his brain, causing him to falter.

At that moment, Theodore saw Marley appear before him again, consumed by hatred, and she spoke to him in a spiteful tone, declaring that he would never deserve forgiveness.

Subconsciously, Theodore tightened his grip on Ariana's hand. It felt as though the blood in his veins turned to ice, freezing him in place as if he had fallen into an icy cave.

Ariana noticed something was amiss with Theodore, reminiscent of when he had experienced a relapse of his illness. Immediately, she grew anxious and held his hand firmly.

“What's wrong? Theodore, are you okay?" she asked, her voice cutting through his daze and bringing him back to reality. He shook his head, managing to shake off the unsettling sensation.

She refrained from further inquiry, concerned that any word she uttered might be the catalyst for his impending nervous breakdown.

Earlier, Ariana had been drenched in sweat as she searched everywhere for Theodore. The dampness clung to her now, causing a slight chill, and the rain poured down with increased intensity.