A death sentence looms, but a smile remains. As David counts his final hours, the shadows of the past begin to bleed into the present. Was Elina the victim of a cruel game, or the mastermind behind it?
The truth is buried deep, and the clock is ticking.
The afternoon faded into evening as the sun began its slow descent. In David's eyes, tears shimmered, but a lingering smile graced his lips.The public prosecutor, watching David closely, couldn't help but ask, "What are you made of?
Your execution is tomorrow. You know that after tomorrow, you will no longer exist in this world, yet you show no fear? How can you smile in a situation like this?"David gestured toward the cold prison walls, pointing with his finger. "That is the reason for my smile... Elina."Hungry to uncover Elina's story, the prosecutor pressed further, "Was there truly a relationship between Elina and Jack?"David closed his eyes, and once again, he began to turn the painful pages of his past...That day, when Elina heard the word "Mother" come out of Jack's mouth, she was stunned. She had never imagined that this stranger was actually a part of the Smith family.Stuttering, Elina looked at Jack and asked, "Mother? Is David's mother your mother too?"Jack replied calmly, "Yes. David and I are brothers."Elina didn't say another word in front of the others; she silently retreated to her room. David followed her immediately, his voice laced with suppressed rage. "What is all this drama? How do you know Jack? When and how did this 'love affair' with him start?"Elina looked at him and replied coldly, "I don't find it necessary to explain anything to you."Just then, a knock came at the door. It was Jack. "Elina, may I come in?"Ignoring David completely, Elina opened the door. Standing before her, Jack spoke clearly so David could hear, "Elina, get ready. We're going out for dinner tonight. Our wedding is next week, and we still have shopping to do. I'll be waiting in the car. Don't be long."With that, Jack turned and left.Elina was bewildered. What has happened to Jack? she thought. Is he actually starting to dream about this marriage?As Elina was getting ready, David suddenly pulled her into a desperate embrace. He pleaded, "Please forgive me, Elina... I made a huge mistake. But now, I truly love you. I'll die without you."
n that moment, Elina felt it—David was telling the truth. He truly loved her from the bottom of his heart. But Elina was trapped. She couldn't break her own sister's heart. She felt she had to step away from the space between David and Sarlin.Yet, the agonizing truth was that Elina had fallen deeply in love with David too.She got into the car with Jack, but the tears in her eyes made her love for David painfully obvious. She turned to Jack and said, "Take me to any nearby restaurant. I need to talk to you."Once they were seated at a nearby restaurant, Elina spoke up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things in front of everyone—about us getting married. Please forgive me... I just need us to stay quiet until David and Sarlin's wedding is over. After that, we'll make an excuse and call off our 'engagement.' Can you please support me as a friend?"Jack looked at her and said, "Don't worry. I will honor this friendship with all my heart."Jack hardly knew Elina, yet he agreed to help her with a smile. After talking for a while, they returned home.In the days that followed, Elina began to ignore David completely, a behavior he found unbearable. Sensing the tension, Grandma called Elina to her room."Elina, my child, I have something to ask you," Grandma said gently. "Are you really marrying Jack?"Elina offered no answer, looking at Grandma with eyes full of hidden pain."My child," Grandma continued, "David and Jack are as different as the North and the West. I know you have suffered a lot in your life already. I don't want to see you in pain ever again."Elina gave a faint, sad smile and left.Later, Elina went to meet her grandfather. Unknown to her, David was following her in the shadows. She stepped out of her car and waited. When a luxury car pulled up, David's heart sank. Who is she meeting in such a grand car?Then, Mr. Louis stepped out and gathered Elina into a warm hug.David stood frozen in shock. His mind raced with dark thoughts. So this is the reason! This is why Mr. Louis closed the deal with her so easily. She has a relationship with this old man, and with my brother Jack too? Disgusting! I never imagined Elina could fall so low for money.Consumed by rage, David went home and immediately called Sarlin. Although he had called off the wedding a few days prior, he now looked at her and said, "Sarlin, forgive me. I was trapped in that vile girl Elina's web. Just like everyone else, I was fooled."Tears of relief streaming down her face, Sarlin hugged him tightly.At that exact moment, Elina walked through the door. Seeing them together, she remarked, "Remarkable, David. You really have two faces. One moment you're begging me not to marry Jack because you love me, and the next, you're lost in Sarlin's arms."David's eyes burned with pure hatred. "I am a thousand times better than you," he spat. "At least I didn't sell myself for money."
Before Elina could respond, the rest of the family gathered in the hall. David announced loudly, "I previously spoke about marrying Sarlin next month. But today, I've made a final decision: Sarlin and I will get married next week."Suddenly, the sound of slow clapping echoed through the room. Jack walked in, smiling. "Well, that's wonderful news! Because Elina and I are also getting married next week."He handed David a gold-trimmed invitation. It read: "Jack weds Elina."Losing his temper, David swung his hand and slapped Jack across the face. Elina immediately pushed David back."I thought you were different," David yelled at Elina, "but you're just like the rest! For money, you don't even care about age. You jump from one relationship to another. Now that you see Jack has more money than me, you've chosen him. Is money so important that you'd involve yourself with a married man?"Elina froze. "Married?"
She turned to Jack, her voice trembling. "Jack... are you married?"
Will David and Grandma ever learn the true nature of the relationship between Elina and Mr. Louis?
Does Elina have a deep connection to Jack's past?
Is everything happening to Elina a mere coincidence, or is there a dark secret hidden behind it all?
To find the answers to these questions, keep reading "Beneath The Truth," only on Webnovel.