After several days of rest and healing, just as I was preparing to leave the hospital, Holden stood waiting for me at the entrance.
“Alexis, I was reckless last time, and it caused you pain. Let’s go home.” Concern softened his gaze as he handed me my clothes.
I looked at him in surprise, taken aback by his sudden care.
He opened the car door for me and helped me inside, then offered me a cup of hot coffee he’d made ahead. When I hesitated, he leaned forward and gently blew on it.
“Alright, it’s cool enough now. Drink up.”
I sipped, curious about Holden’s unexpected kindness.
“Please look after Claire for me. I just returned, and there’s still plenty to handle at work.”
“Let’s visit your parents. It’s been too long.”
I smiled with knowing eyes. So that was why he had been so kind, he wanted me to care for his little mistress, and visiting my parents was clearly about investment talks.
When I first decided to marry Holden, my parents had strongly opposed it, convinced I was marrying beneath myself to help the poor. But I pleaded with them for three long months, determined to prove my choice.
“Alexis, what’s so special about that poor boy? We’ve already arranged a better match for you. Wouldn’t it be easier to live as a wealthy wife?”
“Dad, Holden treats me well and works hard. Even if his family isn’t as rich as ours, I won’t suffer with him.”
“Dad, Mom, I swear on my life, I will treat Alexis well…”
In the end, my father couldn’t resist and had to call off the arranged marriage with the Dalton family. Holden and I held hands tightly, tears of joy streaming down our faces.
I rubbed my belly, still weak from recovery. A faint ache lingered in my lower abdomen. I turned to gaze at the scenery outside the window, now growing more familiar.
“We’re here. Let’s go.” Holden took my hand, their fingers intertwining just like before.
From the trunk, he pulled out fine wine and supplements he had already prepared. Together, we stepped into the house.
Since his return, Holden had contacted my dad on the very first day. Naturally, my father was incredulous. A son-in-law, thought dead for six months, suddenly calls? Even after Holden explained, my father’s doubt remained.
Dad had asked him to bring me home to see him. Holden handed me my phone, which was left behind at home, buzzing with messages and missed calls from Dad, urging me to return today.
“Holden, what brings you here?” Uncle Elias, the butler, noticed us.
Holden squeezed my hand gently. “We came to see Dad, check on how he’s doing.”
Uncle Elias’s eyes widened at the sight of Holden alive and well. “It’s rare for Mr. Brooks to be home today. He’s been waiting for you two. Go on in.”
Holden held my hand firmly as we stepped through the door. Uncle Elias watched us with a warm smile.
“How lovely. Married all these years and still so in love. Miss never picked the wrong man.”
The last time we came home, it was to announce my pregnancy. But now, everything has changed. I sighed quietly inside.
I forced a gentle smile, hoping to ease the paleness from my face. “Dad, Mom, we’re back.”
Dad, already settled on the couch, sprang up and pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Alexis, it’s been so long. You’ve lost so much weight.”
I didn’t want him to worry, so I brushed it off lightly and told him that I’ve just had no appetite lately because of the heat.
Holden never loosened his grip on my hand. “Dad, Alexis has been trying to shed some pounds, so she’s been eating less. I keep telling her she looks better with a little more weight.”
“Lose weight? That won’t do at all. Girls should eat well and stay healthy. Your mom and I knew you were coming back today, so we made all your favorite dishes.”
Holden set the supplements down and noticed the cooperation agreement spread out on the coffee table. He smiled quietly to himself and gently guided me toward the dining table.
“Holden, come here for a moment,” Dad called him over, and Holden approached as if ready.
“Since you’re back, the cooperation you mentioned earlier, here it is. I’ve already drafted it. You just need to sign.”
“But I’ll remind you what you said back then: I only have one daughter. If you ever mistreat her, I have plenty of ways to deal with you.” Dad handed him the agreement with deliberate calm. Holden’s face lit up with a confident smile as he nodded again and again.
“Don’t worry, Dad. Alexis has suffered enough with me. I promise I’ll treat her right.”
Before I could even reach for my spoon and fork, Holden was already busy filling my bowl with all my favorite dishes.
“Alexis, here’s your sweet and sour pork. I could never get it right at home. Only your mom’s cooking comes close.” He gently held the meat to my lips, his eyes warm and tender.
Across the table, my parents exchanged satisfied smiles, their eyes shining at the sight of our closeness.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like the old days when Holden first came to my house. He used to feed me like this, so carefully and lovingly. I glanced at him. He hadn’t changed at all. His eyes were still clear, still pure, just like five years ago.
I thought he had truly changed, ready to love me again like in the beginning. Shyly, I lifted the pork toward my mouth, only to bite into empty air. His phone suddenly rang, and he hurried to answer.
Though he moved quickly, the caller ID was clear.
“Baby.”
No need to guess, it was Claire. Holden took the call hurriedly, explaining to my parents it was an urgent company meeting he had to attend.
My parents nodded, and he rose immediately, patting my head as he left.
“Alexis, stay home and rest. I’ll come pick you up tonight.”
My smile stiffened. Even though he spoke softly, I caught Claire’s coquettish voice through the line.
For her, Holden didn’t hesitate to leave, even forgetting the much-anticipated cooperation agreement on the table.
“Holden is really busy, huh?” Dad put down his spoon and fork. “Since he left, Alexis, if there’s anything you want to say, just tell us.”
I couldn’t fool Dad, but I didn’t want to worry them, so I brushed it off lightly.
After dinner, I retreated to my room to rest. Late into the night, my phone buzzed relentlessly.
When I unlocked it, dozens of photos and several long videos flooded the screen, sent from an unknown number.
Every image showed Holden gently massaging Claire, then teasing her before their passionate kiss. Some scenes were too explicit to describe. I didn’t dare look closely before tears blurred my vision, and my heart sank into a frozen pit.
“Brother Holden’s lips are so soft,” a message flashed.
A shiver ran through me. My phone slipped from my trembling hand, crashing into the water glass on the bedside table. The glass shattered loudly.
My parents rushed upstairs.
“Alexis, are you alright?”
I swallowed hard, forcing calm as I hurried to gather the shards. But the broken glass cut deep, nearly slicing my wrist. Blood poured freely.
Mom rushed to my side, gently wrapping my hand. I explained I’d accidentally dropped the glass. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the wound.
“Are you hiding something from us?” Dad’s voice was heavy with concern.
I lowered my head in silence. My phone vibrated relentlessly, and with trembling fingers, I opened it. Claire’s mocking messages flooded the screen.
“Do you believe if I said I’m sick, Brother Holden would ignore you for three whole days?”
Before I could react, a message from Holden arrived.
[A major client just signed today. I’ll be tied up at the company for the next three days. You rest well at home. It’s rare for you to come back.]
I replied, [Okay. Don’t overwork yourself.] But it felt like swallowing shards of glass. My heart ripped and bleeding inside.
“Tell us what’s really happening. We won’t let you suffer.” My parents squeezed my hands tightly.
Since Holden’s faked death, their beloved grandson Nolan had vanished, too. I had always told them Nolan was staying with his other grandparents, shielding them from worry.
I threw my arms around them, my voice breaking. “Dad, Mom, I missed you so much.”
At that moment, Claire set her phone down and gazed at Holden, who slept peacefully beside her. Her fingers traced the sharp lines of his face with a delicate touch.
“Brother Holden, let’s be together forever.”
Her eyes flicked to the phone screen, where the message showed as “Read.”
Still craving more, Claire’s lips curled into a sly smile. She rose quietly and slipped toward the backyard, her gaze playfully fixed on the sleeping Brody.
