When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 453

Chapter 453 The Brother I Never Knew

Chapter 453 The Brother I Never Knew

Waylon listened quietly before finally smiling and nodding.

“Yes, they really did come for the Stone family.”

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He sighed, then told Natalie about how every generation of the Stone family had always given one child to serve the nation.

Natalie’s

eyes widened in shock.

“Dad, you mean… I have an older brother?”

“That’s right; you do. That’s also why your mother couldn’t bear it after you died so young.”

A trace of guilt crossed Waylon’s face as he continued, “The Stone family started out in scientific research. Later, one of our ancestors turned out to be a business genius who built the family’s fortune and made the Stones famous. But even then, the old patriarch wanted the family to keep serving the country, so he set a rule, every heir of the Stone family—no matter if the firstborn is a boy or a girl–must be sent abroad at birth. After they finish high school, if they’re exceptional, they’re handed over to the government; if not, they’re sent back home. Strangely enough, every firstborn heir of the Stone family has always been outstanding, so they all end up in the nation’s top–secret research division.”

He looked at her solemnly. “Your brother was the chosen one for your generation. When he was born, your mother was overjoyed–he was her first child, after all. She held him almost constantly. But I knew that once he turned a month old, he’d have to be taken away. It was his fate as the Stone family’s eldest son. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to tell your mother. She was so protective of him; she could hardly stand to let anyone else hold him. The truth about this family rule was only passed down to the current head of the family, so she had no idea. I had no choice but to stage a play when your brother was sent away.”

“A play?” Natalie blinked in confusion.

Regret flickered across Waylon’s face.

“Yes. I bought a dead infant from the hospital–one about the same age and size as your brother–and had a servant place the body in your brother’s stroller before leaving the house. Then I hired a drunk driver to stage a fatal car accident. The impact was strong enough to destroy the body completely. To the outside world–and to your mother–it looked like your brother had died in a tragic crash.”

Natalie’s eyes flew open; she stared at him in disbelief.

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8:33 Thu, Oct 16

Chapter 453 The Brother I Never Knew

“Dad, are you insane? Do you have any idea what that did to her?”

At last, she understood why Ruby had spiraled into depression after her own death

Waylon raked a hand through his hair, his voice rough with pain.

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years later.

“What else could I do? Your mother loved your brother more than anything; she wouldn’t even let go of him to use the bathroom. If I told her he had to be taken away–possibly never to see him again–do you think she would’ve agreed? But this is the Stone family’s duty! My older sister–your aunt–was also the firstborn in her generation, and she too was sent away. She’s been working in a research division for years. Recently, her project hit a dead end; the research team couldn’t find a breakthrough. She wrote to me, hoping your brother would grow into someone capable enough to help her solve it. As a husband, I failed your mother; but as a member of the Stone family, I couldn’t turn away when my country needed me.”

He took a deep breath. “I knew it would devastate her. The drunk driver I hired was terminally ill with cancer; he wanted to leave some money for his family, so he agreed. The accident looked painfully real; your mother nearly lost her mind. I stayed by her side day and night, comforting her until she finally began to recover–especially after she became pregnant with your brother. I was afraid the sight of anything that reminded her of your brother would trigger her again, so I had every trace of him removed. No one was allowed to mention his name. Later, when your mother went in for a medical check–up, I secretly arranged for a hypnotist to seal away the memory of your brother entirely.”

His voice grew softer. “After that, it was like she’d never had a firstborn at all. She devoted herself to me and Flynn, and our lives slowly returned to normal. I knew I owed her more than I could ever repay, so I did everything I could to give her the best life possible. But I never expected that after you were born, because of someone else’s scheme, you would die right in front of her–and the shock would awaken those buried memories.”

Waylon’s expression twisted in pain.

“When she remembered your brother, it broke her completely. She had already lost one son; then she lost her daughter too. Her emotions collapsed in an instant. I called the doctors and the hypnotist again, but it was useless. This time, the illness hit hard–she didn’t even want to live anymore. Not even Flynn’s pleading could reach her. I knew she was suffering; and I knew I was the one who caused it. I panicked. I buried that child quickly, without even confirming whether it was truly you. After that, your mother’s condition kept relapsing. I don’t know if it was deliberate or not, but she gradually began forgetting about your brother again. Still, she couldn’t sleep; she’d sit by the window all night, saying she could hear you crying. In those days, I truly wanted to die.”

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