Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 182 Everything Matched Perfectly Caden's POV: Meanwhile, at the hospital.

I looked at the woman resting on the hospital bed.

Could she truly be Tessa? Old, dust-covered memories flickered through my thoughts.

0.78%Ė Finished The distinctive birthmark on her shoulder, the way she called out "Caden", everything about her mirrored Tessa from years past.

Yet, when she lost consciousness in my embrace, she felt like a complete stranger.

Was she really Tessa? Keeping my face emotionless, I allowed my mind to drift.

Just then, a faint and fragile voice whispered, "Caden," pullingback to the present.

Looking down, I saw she slowly opening her eyes. Her pale lips trembled as she spoke, her tone filled with astonishment and joy. "Caden, is that really you? Did you rescue me?" I met her gaze and asked, "What's your name?" She tried to sit up, leaning against the hospital bed for support. With eyes full of emotion, she softly answered, "Caden, my nis Heidi Tessford, but you can also callTessa." "Heidi Tessford?" I repeated.

She nodded. "Yes. Since my surnis Tessford, I use Tessa as a nickname. Caden, do you remember when we were kidnapped and locked in that dark room? You haven't forgotten, have you?" A wave of emotion stirred within me.

Kidnapped, locked in a dark room-everything matched perfectly.

"Caden, you must recall! The kidnappers were cruel, and they even let a bear loose to frighten us. I was terrified of the dark, and you feared the bear. I promised to protect you and make sure it wouldn't harm you," she said with urgency.

The scene replayed vividly in my mind.

In that dark, enclosed space, a small girl clung to me, her tiny body shaking. In a voice full of determination, she whispered, "Caden, don't be scared. I'm strong. I'll protect you." I found myself asking, “Tessa ... are you truly Tessa?" She was afraid of the dark. I was afraid of the bear.

So when I learned that Rosaline feared the dark, I once believed she might be Tessa.

7/2 Chapter 182 Everything Matched Perfectly So, the girl standing before me, Heidi Tessford, could she really be Tessa? 78% Finished With a trembling right hand, Heidi reached up and gently traced my face. Her voice was soft yet insistent. "Yes, Caden, I am Tessa!" The warmth of her palm against my skin madeuneasy for reasons I couldn't explain.

Slowly, I grasped her hand and carefully moved it away.

She let out a quiet sigh before continuing, "Caden, I still remember everything. The ones who kidnapped us - there were three men and one woman. The cruelest of them all was a man missing a front tooth. Everyone called him Thrice. We feared him the most. Every the stepped into that dark room, he made sure to terrify us." A sudden jolt ran through me, and my heartbeat quickened.

Her words were indeed accurate! With a faint smile, Heidi continued, "There was a twhen he stormed in with a knife, trying to chop off my hair. Caden, you shieldedwithout hesitation. He slashed your chest, and blood poured out. Caden, does the scar on your chest still remain? "And that woman was somewhat kinder. She used to bring us food from tto time. One day, she even gave us a chicken drumstick. Caden, you refused to eat it and saved it entirely for me. You told me, "Tessa, I'm not hungry. You should eat quickly so we'll have the strength to run away when you're done." At this moment, I had no doubts. She must be Tessa.

Back then, only the two of us knew about these events.

So, Heidi is Tessa! She is the Tessa I've been searching for all these years! "Tessa, it's really you." My doubts vanished as I murmured.

"Caden, you finally remember me?" Heidi's face brightened with joy. She reached out and threw herself into my embrace. This is amazing! I can finally see you again! When I fell off that cliff, I... I thought I'd never get the chance to see you anymore!" The faint scent of perfon her body drifted into my nose, makingfrown.

This fragrance... doesn't quite match the Tessa I remember.

Maybe it's because she has grown up. After all, tchanges people.

This is the only way I can console myself.

I gently pushed her aside, my voice carrying a trace of emotion as I reminisced, "Yes. When you fell off the cliff my dad's men foundand E broughtto safety. I've been searching for you ever since, but why did you never reach out? What happened to you after that fall?" Heidi let out a soft sigh. "I was seriously injured after falling and was saved by a hunter. My condition was critical, so a foreign philanthropist tookto Aurion for treatment. He eventually adoptedas his daughter.

212 18 Chapter 182 Everything Matched Perfectly 78% Finished

"I spent all these years in Aurion.

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