Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 847
Long ago, back when Madge first disappeared-when the police scoured every corner and finally gave up in defeat-Geneva's
suspicions toward Kathleen began to fester.
The sisters had left the house together, but only Madge was abducted. If the kidnappers were after money, wouldn't it make
sense to snatch them both? Two hostages would fetch a higher ransom than one. No kidnapper in their right mind would leave
that kind of cash on the table.
And if this was about desire instead of money, then all the more reason to take
both girls.
But in the end, Kathleen returned home unharmed. What did that say?
Geneva's doubts peaked when Kathleen married Teague. After Aberdeen disappeared, Kathleen had the most to gain. There
were simply too many suspicious details.
Geneva's voice trembled as she recalled, "I have no proof-I can't go to the police and have her arrested. But in my heart, I've
always known she's the culprit. I can't stand to live under the same roof with her, let alone pretend to be her loving mother."
If she lied to herself, what justice would that do for Madge?
If she forgave the murderer, how could she ever face her daughter?

These two thoughts consumed Geneva's mind at the time.
No! She could never-would never-forgive her.
That's why she kept her distance, why she couldn't help but lash out, why she openly gave Kathleen the cold shoulder.
She wanted Kathleen to suffer.
She wanted to deny her everything she longed for.
Geneva couldn't control the rest of the world, but she could control herself.
Neely's eyes were heavy with sorrow. "You've been carrying all this alone... Why didn't you tell me?"

"If I'd told you, would you have believed me?" Geneva shot back. "You always thought I was cold and distant with Kathleen,
thought my temper had grown strange. With that in mind, I knew you'd never believe a word of it."
The old man clutched his chest, stricken.
"I'm sorry... Aberdeen... Geneva... I'm so sorry..."
Madge cut in gently, "Dad, please. I'm not telling you all this to make you feel regret or pain. I just want one thing-"
She spoke each word with emphasis. "Don't ever give Kathleen another chance to hurt us."
Geneva squeezed her daughter's hand, tears streaming down her cheeks as she nodded. "Yes. From this day forward, no one
will ever hurt us again!"
Neely shot to his feet. "No! We can't let her get away with this!"
"What are you planning?" Geneva asked sharply.

"She has to pay for what she's done!" Neely's voice shook with fury.
Geneva stopped him at once. "Don't be foolish! We just got Madge back-don't do anything that would land you in prison."
"So we're just supposed to let her walk free?" Neely's jaw clenched so tightly his teeth almost cracked.
"Now that we know Kathleen's behind it, no matter how much time has passed, she's bound to have left some trace of her
crimes."
Neely frowned. "So what are you suggesting?"
"The kidnappers were never caught, right?" Geneva pressed. "We keep looking for them. Madge, do you remember what they
looked like?"
Madge nodded. "I remember."
"Good. All these years we've come up empty because we didn't know enough. But now, with Madge's memory, we have a real
lead."
Geneva paused, then her expression changed. "And isn't your birthday coming up?"

Neely blinked in confusion. "Why are you bringing up my birthday now?"
Geneva's eyes narrowed, a
calculating glimmer flickering within. "It's been ages since our family celebrated anything together. Why not throw a big party-
invite all of Lumina City's elite?"
Neely still looked lost. "And then?"
"We'll use the occasion to reveal
s true identity, and formal et introduce Anne and Norris to e
. And while we're at it"
A cold determination flashed in Geneva's gaze.