All Chapters of Caged Pheonix : Chapter 61 - Chapter 67

Ethan’s blood ran cold.For a second, it felt like his heart had forgotten how to beat.Emma’s voice softened even more as if she feared the truth might shatter him completely.“Ethan.... they were threatening to kill her parents.”The phone nearly slipped from his hand. His fingers trembled uncontrollably and a sharp pain spread through his chest.His own cruel words to Violet flashed inside his mind like blades...His accusations even though seeing her trembling lips.Her breaking voice.“I don’t need you to take responsibility for my baby..... You’re right, it’s not yours.”He staggered where he stood.His knees weakened as if the ground had been ripped from beneath him. A heavy nausea crept up his throat. The room around him blurred, spinning slightly and his heartbeat echoed painfully in his ears, faster and faster, drowning out everything else.Realization hit him so hard he felt breathless.He had misunderstood everything.He had hurt her so deeply.He had failed her in the mom

“You’re lucky to have such a brave and loyal friend. You did a great job, kid.”Bella didn’t reply but nodded quietly, while Aria lifted her eyebrows in an exaggerated, teasing way.“Of course I did a great job. My mom taught me never to stay silent when someone’s being bullied. If you keep quiet, you become part of the bullies.”“Your mother must be a great woman.”Aria nodded proudly, her eyes softening at the thought of her mother.“Yeah… but she stutters a lot when she’s nervous or scared.” Aria whispered to herself while looking outside the window.“We’re here!” Bella remained all excited. “Oh right! Mr. Tall guy, thanks a lot! I hope you have the best day ever!”Both girls jumped out of the car and sprinted toward the school building. Ethan chuckled at how adorable they were. As he turned to leave, something on the ground caught his eye. A small notebook lay near his feet.He picked it up, it was Aria’s drawing book.He looked toward the school gate but it had already closed. A

"Now you know she’s your daughter without any DNA test? Or have you already run a test without telling me?" He went silent, gulping hard as he took a step closer. "I’m sorry for not trusting you. I don’t need a test to know she’s my daughter. She’s--she’s just like me, smart and confident. You’ve raised her well." Violet bit her lip, trying to stop herself from crying in front of him, but she couldn’t hold back her tears after his last sentence. “N-No, she’s not like y-you. And she will never be.... S-She is my daughter. You refused to accept me and her when I begged you to trust me.” She couldn’t hold back anymore, her voice cracking, making him fall silent. Feeling embarrassed and shattered, she turned around and left him standing there alone. __________ The next day, Violet was helping her daughter get ready for school. Aria stayed silent for before finally asking her mother " Mom.... will Dad also come and watch my performance?" Violet didn't think much before replying

She noticed the tiny changes in his expression, the way his eyes shifted and his jaw tightened for a split second before he tried to mask it. It would be a lie if she denied that she wasn’t feeling bad while saying all those things to him. She did feel bad. Her chest felt heavy, unfamiliar and tight, because this was the first time she was finally speaking her thoughts out loud instead of burying them deep inside herself. She had been silent all her life, whether she was with her parents or with Ethan. Silence had always been her safest shield. She avoided holding people accountable for their actions toward her, convincing herself that staying quiet was easier than dealing with conflict or disappointment. She forgave people easily, almost too easily as if they had never done anything wrong. She suffered alone, believing that enduring pain quietly would somehow make things right. She thought that if she kept forgiving, if she kept adjusting, Ethan and she could move forward together