Chapter 26 A new home
Karen’s knuckles turned white from clenching them so hard. Reflecting on it, Roger’s abuse was primarily emotional because he couldn’t move on from Tonia, leaving a wound in her heart.
Whenever Tonia was mentioned, his mood would shift, and at times, he would say hurtful things, only to act as if nothing had occurred afterward.
Who could tolerate such a toxic man? “No, I don’t,” she responded, but Van chuckled. “Then I suppose you’re not prepared for my assistance.” If she didn’t love Roger anymore, she wouldn’t be so eager to distance herself from him.
There were numerous ways she could have retaliated against Roger, but she chose to depart quietly. Her face paled at his words. How could he know that she still harbored feelings for Roger?
“Fine, it’s not my fault that my heart still longs for a man who loves another woman. I can’t move on as long as I’m living under the same roof as him.”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” Van nodded, and Karen breathed a sigh of relief. “Does this mean you’re going to help me?” She was confident that time and distance would diminish her feelings for Roger.
“No,” Van replied, causing Karen's gaze to drop as he settled on the small couch and explained, “I’m going to teach you to help yourself.”
Hope surged within her once more. She didn’t know who he was, but at that moment, he was the only person she felt she could rely on. “I’m ready.”
Van adjusted himself to capture her image clearly. “First of all, figure out why your adopted sister set you up with Roger. Have you considered what she stands to gain and how she won over your parents?”
Karen went stiff. Roger was already a handful, but Tonia and her parents? She did not want to go there but seemingly had no choice. “I already have. Tonia doesn’t want to be associated with poverty because it reminds her of where my parents picked her from.”
Van nodded, his expression stern. Karen was not as naive as he thought. “Good, and the second part?”
“Can I sit?” Karen asked awkwardly. Van looked around. “It’s your home for as long as you want. You can do whatever you like.”
Karen smiled warmly at him. He exuded the warmth of a father, but a much better one than hers, due to how he paid attention to her every word.
Unlike her father, who never looked into her eyes unless he wanted something from her, like when he convinced her to abort the non-existent baby and marry Hector.
Lowering herself on the lemon-green couch beside him, she felt engulfed in his warmth, wanting to embrace him but held back. “My mom is more into looks than brains.”
Sorrow filled her heart at those words as Van shifted and stared at her. His gaze was neutral, but unease filled her. “To be honest, you seem quite boring at first sight, but I have to admit it's nice talking to you.”
Karen’s cheeks flushed.
Van understood why Roger would not let go, even though he claimed not to love Karen. She might not catch your eye at first glance, but once you get to know her, she becomes addictive.
With her, it felt like he was talking to his daughter. “I’d rather have wit than looks,” she admitted, adjusting her eyeglasses as he looked at her. “There's nothing wrong with having both, but that's entirely up to you.”
Having both? Karen recalled the countless hours her mother and Tonia would spend at the spa for beauty treatments. To her, she would rather invest that time in gaining knowledge.
“It's time-consuming to meet the world's beauty standards, and I don't think it's worth it. A man should love me for who I am, as long as I have good character. Occasionally, for a special event, I don't mind making the effort,” she pouted. Van nodded, finding her endearing.
He had heard those words from Roger before. It was the reason he had gone into disguise, but why was he seeking looks instead of character, as he desired in the woman he could settle down with?
It was all too perplexing. “You're right. We can work on your appearance later, but tell me, do you remember when your eye issues started? And about the housekeeper, have you considered why she would assist Tonia instead of speaking the truth?”
Karen pondered deeply. “Around eight or nine? It's been over a decade since my vision started to blur, and as for the housekeeper, Tonia must have paid her. Because she's older, her allowance is double, if not triple, mine.”
Van suspected there was more but did not immediately point it out. “Don’t worry. I’ll have a medical team come over, but for now, eat healthy and drink lots of fluids.”
If Tonia was able to fake a pregnancy for her sister so perfectly, then Van was certain she could do worse to defame Karen and be the only one to shine.
“You suspect Tonia might be behind it?”
“Haven’t you thought so yourself?” Silence hung in the air as Karen broke down, tears streaming down her cheeks. She began suspecting Tonia too late, but this shows that Tonia had been at this for over a decade.
“I loved her so much, and she did this to me. She took everything from me.”
Her emotions were raw pain she hadn’t felt in a long time. Van didn’t like tears. His home was always filled with joy and laughter. “It’s okay.” He gathered her in his warm embrace.
“Cry all you want,” he encouraged her before adding the serious part. “But make sure that after today, you never shed a single tear for anyone who hurt you.”