Footsteps Toward New Beginnings By Ryan Carter 13

Footsteps Toward New Beginnings By Ryan Carter 13 Summary

 

Kenneth reflects painfully on Christina, recalling how she once seemed fragile and afraid of even minor pain, yet had bravely protected him from harm and begged for a charm to keep him safe. He remembers the promise he made to love and protect her after she nearly died, but admits he grew weary of her sacrifices over time. Kenneth’s feelings soured every time he saw the scar on Christina’s abdomen, a constant reminder of his failure, leading him to avoid intimacy with her. During this period, he found solace in Alice’s gentle care, mistakenly believing she was more understanding and comforting.

 

However, after uncovering Alice’s crimes and handing evidence to the police, Kenneth is overwhelmed by guilt and desperation. He rushes to the Martell mansion, desperate to see Christina and make amends. Despite pleading with the butler, he is denied entry and told Christina was found badly injured, unconscious for days. Kenneth’s desperation grows as he refuses to give up, prompting Benjamin, Christina’s brother, to confront him violently.

 

Benjamin attacks Kenneth, who takes the blows without resistance. Dustin and Nyasia Martell, Christina’s parents, arrive and witness Kenneth’s battered state. Their disappointment is palpable as they accuse Kenneth of betraying their trust and harming their daughter. Nyasia breaks down in tears, lamenting how Kenneth failed to protect Christina, who was their cherished treasure and had been in emergency care all night. Kenneth’s guilt and remorse deepen amidst the family’s condemnation.

Chapter 13 

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Christina was always the most afraid of pain. He still remembered the time when she accidentally cut her finger while slicing fruit; only a tiny bead of blood welled up, yet she looked at him with teary eyes, pitifully complaining about how much it hurt. 

Back then, he thought she was spoiled but adorable. He laughed as he pulled her into his arms, kissed the top of her head, gently blew on her wound, and told her she was a little princess, a delicate darling. 

But it was this very girl who had shielded him from a knife, enduring the pain for his safety, and had knelt step by step to beg for a protection charm……. 

Scenes from his memory surged uncontrollably, vivid and cruel. 

He still remembered, when she was on the verge of death, he swore he swore he would spend his whole life making it up to her, loving her, protecting her. 

But what happened afterward? 

Later, he grew accustomed to her sacrifices, and even, after so much time together, began to feel weary of it all. 

Every time they were intimate and he saw that scar on her lower abdomen, he felt a visceral disgust. It was a constant reminder of his own incompetence. 

He started to avoid it, unwilling to touch that scar. 

It was at that time that Alice appeared. 

While Christina was suffering both mentally and physically, what was he doing? 

He was completely immersed in Alice’s gentle embrace, convinced that Alice was more sensible, more considerate, and made him feel more at ease than Christina ever did. 

“Ha… Kenneth, you really are heartless.” 

Kenneth let out a low laugh, his voice filled with endless self–mockery and bitterness. 

He mocked himself for being blind! Mocked himself for being ungrateful! Mocked himself for breaking the heart of a woman who truly loved and cared for him! 

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Chapter 13 

The alarm outside the villa began to ring. 

After handing all the evidence of Alice’s crimes to the police, Kenneth could not bear to stay another second. He staggered out in a rush. 

He had to find Christina. 

Immediately! 

Right now! 

The Martell’s mansion was only a three–hour drive from San Francisco, but Kenneth sped all the way, cutting the travel time in half. 

When he appeared at the gates of the Martell’s mansion, it was as if they had already anticipated 

his arrival. 

The Martell’s mansion’s butler coldly refused to let him in 

“Mr. Gilford, I’m sorry, but Mr. Martell and Mrs. Martell do not welcome you here.” 

Kenneth pleaded, almost begging, “Please, let me in! Just let me see her once! Just once! Give me a chance to truly admit my mistakes!” 

The butler sighed. 

“Mr. Gilford, when Ms. Martell returned, there wasn’t a single patch of uninjured skin on her body. She was unconscious for three whole days before finally waking up. Mrs. Martell and Mr. Martell will never let you see her!” 

Kenneth still refused to give up. 

Hearing the commotion, Benjamin walked out from inside the house. Seeing his brother–in–law, Kenneth clung to him like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline, rushing over immediately. 

“Benjamin!” 

Benjamin’s face was dark and without a word, he punched Kenneth squarely in the face. 

Caught completely off guard, Kenneth crashed heavily against the car. Before he could steady himself, Benjamin landed another punch. 

Kenneth did not dodge at all, enduring everything without resistance. 

It wasn’t 

the noel Kenneth’s face was a bloody mess that Dustin Martell and Nyasia Martell, drawn by 

came out together. 

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“Enough. Ben, stop.” 

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Benjamin’s fist trembled violently in midair, but he forced himself to lower it, tossing Kenneth to the ground as if he were garbage. 

Dustin and Nyasia looked down at Kenneth, who lay collapsed on the ground, utterly disheveled. 

Their eyes held none of the warmth they once had–only cold disappointment. 

Kenneth forced himself to look up through the pain, meeting Nyasia’s swollen, red eyes–clearly, she had just been crying. 

“Dad… Mom…” 

“You don’t deserve to call us Dad and Mom! Kenneth, the Martell family treated you well! When we entrusted Christy to you, we believed you could make her happy! She was our precious treasure! But you… you turned her into something neither human nor ghost! Do you know she was in emergency care all night long?” 

Nyasia’s voice broke at the end, and she couldn’t help but collapse into tears once more.