Chapter 728

Theo's eyes were red-rimmed, his small hands clutching the blanket tightly.

"She..."

Tears suddenly spilled down his cheeks like broken pearls.

"She always hits me." His voice trembled with sobs. "She pinches my arms and threatens me."

Vivian's heart clenched painfully.

"She wanted me to call Uncle Ethan to visit, but I refused. So she pinched me harder." Theo pulled up his sleeve, revealing dark bruises. "Aunt Vivian, it really hurt."

Her fingers shook as she traced the marks.

"That monster!" She gritted her teeth. "How could she hurt a child?"

"Did you tell Uncle Ethan?"

Theo shook his head, tears soaking into the sheets.

"Mom said I couldn't tell anyone, or she'd send me to an orphanage." His voice quivered. "She said Uncle Ethan wouldn't want me anymore now that he has someone new."

Vivian's chest heaved with rage.

"That's a lie!" She pulled Theo into a tight embrace. "Uncle Ethan would never abandon you."

Theo sniffled quietly against her shoulder.

"Should I tell you a story?" She gently patted his back.

"Okay." He nodded, tear droplets still clinging to his lashes.

Halfway through the tale, Vivian whispered, "Does it still hurt?"

"I'm a big boy." He straightened with childish pride. "It doesn't hurt that much."

Her nose stung with unshed tears.

After Theo fell asleep, she tiptoed out of the hospital room.

Ethan immediately approached. "How is he?"

"He woke up." Vivian took a deep breath. "But there's something you need to know."

"What is it?"

"Sophia has been abusing Theo." Her voice shook. "Beating him was routine."

Ethan's face drained of color.

"That's impossible..."

"Theo told me himself." She clenched her fists. "Those bruises are proof."

Ethan staggered back against the wall.

Suddenly, he remembered how Theo always had tears in his eyes during their visits.

Those weren't just childish whimpers—they were silent pleas for help.