When the memories of his betrayal flooded back, Maria seethed with anger. Was his love for her nothing but a facade? How could he betray her and stab her in the back?
Standing by the door, Maria’s steps faltered. “Sampson…”
Sampson approached her and noticed the bruises on her knees, furrowing his brow. “Did you get into a fight?”
Why else would she look like this?
Maria shook her head, her gaze fixed on Sampson. “Sampson, is your love for me fake?”
“How could you even think that?” Sampson’s love for her as his sister was genuine. He carried the guilt of her past disappearance and had longed for her return. His feelings towards her were never false.
Suddenly, Maria burst into laughter, but her smile vanished just as quickly. Then, she let out an exasperated scream. “If you truly love me and see me as your sister, why did you betray me for that woman?”
“What are you talking about?” Sampson was bewildered. “Come inside.”
He gently guided his sister, who was losing control, into the house. Recently, her canceled marriage had left her particularly unhappy, casting a dark cloud over their home.
If Landon heard Maria throwing another fit, it would undoubtedly enrage him.
Sampson brought Maria inside.
“Please sit down. Let me get some ointment to clean your knees and prevent infection.”
Maria sat there motionless, seemingly lost in thought, her gaze fixed on a distant point.
She had thought that by becoming part of the Herbert family, she would be able to be with Matthew, enjoy her elevated status, and have both a lover and a caring brother.
But reality was far from her expectations.
Everything had changed. Yes, she had obtained a prestigious status, but she had lost Matthew. And that woman was siphoning away Sampson’s love for her.
Dolores had shattered her love life and family life.
Her fingers clenched tightly into the bedsheet, her skin pulsating with anger.
Sampson entered with a first-aid kit, proceeding to clean and disinfect her knee wounds with great care, as if afraid of causing her pain.
“Sampson,” Maria said, looking down. “Are you this gentle with Dolores too?”
Maria’s behavior was particularly abnormal today.
“What do you mean?” Sampson placed the disinfectant on the floor, deciding to address this matter.
“Maria, it’s not like Matthew is the only man in the world. You don’t have to dwell on him for too long. With your qualities, you can find someone better…”
“Dolores isn’t the only woman in the world, so why do you love her so much?” Maria interrupted him abruptly.
Sampson found himself at a loss for words.
She was right. In trying to persuade his sister, he had forgotten about his own stubbornness.
“Sampson, you were willing to betray your own sister for the sake of the woman you love. Your love runs deep.”
Unable to ignore her any longer, Sampson decided to engage in a conversation. “Maria, have you met her?”
“Yes,” Maria admitted. Sampson couldn’t help but frown. “You’ve been accusing me of betraying you. Can you explain?”
Did this have something to do with Dolores?
“Are you asking me this?” Maria’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Aren’t you aware of what you’ve done?”
“I don’t know what you’re referring to. I never intended to harm you in the first place.” Sampson was sure he had never wronged his sister.
When he discovered that Matthew was the man from that fateful night long ago, he selfishly concealed the truth from Dolores. Later, when he learned that Maria was his sister and she loved Matthew, he buried this truth even deeper in his heart.
He didn’t even say a word, knowing that Dolores’ children lacked a father figure.
Yet, now his sister accused him of betrayal.
Sampson felt deeply disappointed and saddened.
Maria’s words were cutting.
“You never meant any harm to me? Then tell me, how did Dolores find out that I was responsible for that accident six years ago?” Maria didn’t believe him.
“Sh… She knows you caused that accident six years ago?” Sampson sounded incredulous. Dolores had discovered something he had worked hard to hide from her.
After all, it was his own sister who had hurt Dolores.
If Dolores knew, it would undoubtedly affect their relationship.
Maria let out a cold laugh. “Don’t act like you don’t know what’s going on. It’s been six years since that incident. Everyone who knew about it is no longer alive, except you and me. Are you suggesting that I personally revealed the truth to her?”
Sampson was momentarily stunned. He muttered to himself, “I really didn’t tell her.”
His nerves were on edge because Dolores had finally discovered the truth.
Would she be angry with him?
He sank into the sofa, feeling defeated. Just when she seemed ready to accept him, she found out about the accident.
He couldn’t bear to dwell on this any longer.
Maria observed his desolate expression and furrowed her brow. “Are you absolutely certain you didn’t tell her?”
Sampson let out a bitter laugh. “Why would I lie to you?”
“Then how did she find out?” Maria couldn’t understand what had transpired. Initially, only a few people knew the truth. One of them was now deceased.
The only ones left who knew were Sampson and her. If they hadn’t said anything, how did Dolores discover the truth about the accident?
“Take some rest for now,” Sampson stood up and suggested. He needed some time alone to figure out how to handle Dolores from now on.
He needed to find a way to explain himself.
“Sampson.” Maria hugged him from behind, her face resting against his back. “Sampson, we’re not young anymore, and I’m no longer a teenager. Time is running out. You should help me, for our sake…”
“How can I help you?” Sampson smiled bitterly, realizing he was in deep trouble. How could he possibly assist her in this situation?
“Consider my proposition from before.”
Afraid of immediate rejection, Maria hastily added, “Don’t dismiss it right away. Think it through carefully. If you want Dolores to be with you without any consequences, it’s impossible. You must understand that the only way to force her into a relationship with you is through intimacy. Women are emotional creatures. Once she has given herself to you, she will develop feelings sooner or later. When you marry her later on, I can be with Matthew too. It’s a win-win situation. So, please think about it.”
Sampson remained silent. He truly cared for Dolores.
Their connection spanned more than a decade. How could he tarnish it with such underhanded methods? How could he stain their precious bond?
“You know the situation in our family well. Both you and our elder brother have limited experience in business, and our father is getting older. This time, Father wants me to marry Matthew because he’s concerned about the future of the Herbert family. Don’t you agree? Or do you want to see our family crumble into nothing?” Maria continued her persuasion.
“That’s not a reason for me to do this,” Sampson remained resolute.
Though slightly older than Dolores, she was the first woman he had truly loved.
He didn’t want to destroy their memories.
Maria let go of him and took a step back, disappointment evident in her eyes.
“Isn’t my happiness and the future of our family more important than your love for that woman?” She interrogated him. “You have enjoyed the family’s blessings without ever doing anything for their benefit. While you were free to do as you pleased overseas, our parents have been understanding of you. Yet, what have you ever done for them in return?”
Sampson felt paralyzed. She was right. He had never done anything for the sake of his family.
“Sampson…”