Chapter 96: Captive of Love
Ye Tianqing once again blocked Ye Tianlin's path.
"Step aside," Tianlin demanded coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Tianqing stood his ground. "You know why Xiaoluo called you dirty?" he asked, his tone calm but piercing.
Tianlin froze, his entire body tensing as if he were standing on thin ice. Memories of his darkest days surged in his mind, suffocating him. His breath quickened, his fists clenched, and his thoughts spiraled. Could Xiaoluo have discovered his secret? Did she now despise him because of it?
"She didn't call you that because of your past," Tianqing continued, his voice unwavering. "This morning, Gu Lingzi sent her several photos—photos of you and Lingzi, staged to appear intimate. That's why she's upset."
Tianlin's eyes widened in shock. He stared at his brother, struggling to process the revelation.
"If you don't believe me," Tianqing added, "go check Xiaoluo's phone. The messages are still there."
Tianlin's mind reeled. He had no reason to trust Tianqing, but something in his brother's voice forced him to pause. Could it be true?
Before Tianlin could rush off to confirm, Tianqing stopped him again. "There's more."
Tianlin turned back, his gaze demanding an explanation.
"Today, it was Lingzi's parents who took Xiaoluo to the hospital," Tianqing said, his words heavy with implication. "But it wasn't for a routine check-up. They tried to force her into an abortion."
"What did you say?" Tianlin's voice cracked with disbelief. His body trembled with a mix of rage and regret.
"They tried to make her abort your child," Tianqing repeated, his tone calm but laced with suppressed fury. "If she hadn't run into Yanzhi, she wouldn't be here now."
Tianlin's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His anger boiled over. Lingzi's family had dared to harm Xiaoluo and his child? The audacity was unforgivable.
Tianqing observed his brother's reaction and offered one last truth. "If you truly love Xiaoluo, stop hurting her."
Tianlin stormed toward Xiaoluo's room. He pushed open the door, revealing a pitch-black interior. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint shadows across the room. He approached her bed quietly and saw her curled up, seemingly asleep.
"Xiaoluo," he whispered, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
No response.
He reached for her phone, his movements deliberate. Scrolling through her messages, he found the photos Gu Lingzi had sent: staged pictures of him and Lingzi embracing. His jaw tightened as he pieced together the truth. Last night at the bar, Lingzi had clung to him while snapping photos. He hadn't thought much of it, dismissing her behavior as childish. Now he realized it was all a calculated ploy.
His grip on the phone tightened. The realization of how much he had hurt Xiaoluo overwhelmed him.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Tianlin gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. Her body stiffened ever so slightly. She wasn't asleep.
"Xiaoluo," he murmured, his voice laced with guilt. "I know you're awake."
She didn't move.
His hand hovered above hers, hesitating. He wanted to apologize, to explain, but the words caught in his throat. After a long pause, he stood and left the room, glancing back one last time before closing the door.
Outside, Tianlin leaned against the wall, his anger simmering. Thoughts of revenge against the Gu family and Lingzi churned in his mind. He vowed to destroy them for what they had done to Xiaoluo. He wouldn't rest until they paid for their deceit.
Just then, a soft, honeyed voice interrupted his thoughts. "Brother Tianlin, what are you doing here so late?"
Gu Lingzi appeared, her tone sweet and cloying. She leaned against him, her hands roaming his chest. "Why don't you come to my room tonight?" she whispered suggestively.
A sinister smile spread across Tianlin's face. "Sure," he replied, his voice deceptively smooth.
Lingzi's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Let's have a midnight snack first," he said, leading her toward the dining area.
Lingzi, ecstatic, followed eagerly. She believed her parents' schemes had finally worked, that Tianlin was now hers. Little did she know, the man sitting across from her at the table was already plotting her downfall.