Chapter 19
Chapter 19:
The moment Helena walked through the front door of her home with Alden, her attention was instantly drawn to a bouquet of yellow roses resting on the living room table.
Their color was even richer than the ones she had spotted in Xavier’s Maybach just a few days ago, and a delicate floral scent drifted through the air, brightening her mood effortlessly.
A smile bloomed on Helena’s face as she turned to Alden. “These yellow roses are absolutely stunning p>
With a steady tone, Alden replied, “Xavier told me you liked the ones in the client’s car that day. I asked him to get the exact kind.” He watched the joy the flowers brought to Helena, realizing that the yellow roses had not slipped from her memory.
The simple realization filled Alden with a quiet sense of satisfaction, as the roses had meant something to both of them.
After spending several days away on a business trip, Alden returned to a home that looked and felt different—a place that was warmer, cozier, and almost like it had begun to reflect a shared life.
The soft yellow curtains now matched the color of the flowers. Coasters had appeared neatly on the dining table, new cushions added softness to the sofa, and even the legs of the furniture wore tiny knitted covers, adding a quiet charm to the room.
Catching his lingering gaze, Helena explained with a small grin, “Most of what we have in our home is wooden. I did this to make them more durable. They won’t be easily damaged now p>
The way she phrased it—our home—immediately caught Alden’s attention.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Out of all the real estate he owned, this modest place might be the most rewarding purchase he had ever made, even though it was the cheapest one. It was primarily meant to serve as a facade, deceiving the rest of the Wilson family.
While Alden stood lost in thought, Helena had already moved on, snapping photos of the roses to send to Valeria.
She leaned down to breathe in the scent again, her voice soft with memory. “My dad and I used to live near a garden full of yellow roses p>
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The warmth in her voice suggested a time when life seemed simpler, those moments likely among her happiest.
Alden remained silent, listening intently and respecting the intimacy of her memories. After a moment, he quietly moved to the kitchen, retrieved an ice pack, and returned to treat the bruise on Helena’s right cheek.
Valeria’s message came through with a teasing tone. “Seriously? Juliet roses? Since when did you have money to burn p>
That piqued Helena’s curiosity. She quickly searched for the flower type on her phone. A moment later, she sprang to her feet. “Wait, you actually asked Xavier to buy these p>
It turned out Juliet roses weren’t just elegant—they were ridiculously expensive. With their lush, layered petals and classic cupped shape, even a single one could cost more than what she earned in a few months.
Alden raised an eyebrow at her reaction. “Yeah, I did. What’s the big deal p>
Helena didn’t answer right away. Instead, she took a closer look at the bouquet, her eyes flicking between the flowers and the online photos. She grew increasingly skeptical with each comparison. Since marrying Alden, she had picked up on his financial habits. He didn’t splurge unnecessarily.
His wardrobe was simple, his meals practical, and his daily lifestyle leaned more toward sensible than extravagant. The priciest thing she’d seen him wear was his wedding ring.
Their home reflected that same sense of balance—quietly comfortable, in a decent neighborhood with great amenities, but nothing too flashy. Despite being born into the powerful Wilson family, Alden didn’t live like someone from a wealthy legacy.
And after what Rylan had tried to do to damage Alden’s reputation, Helena had been convinced that his life within the Wilson family was far more difficult than it seemed.
Would he really blow that kind of money on roses, of all things? It didn’t add up. Maybe Valeria was mistaken.
Before she could type a reply, another message from Valeria popped up on her screen. “I found out your dad’s transfer to the premium room was a directive from the nursing home’s top brass. Word is, it was done under the orders of the Morrison family. Since when did you know someone from the Morrison family p>
Helena froze. The Morrison family? That was one of the most powerful families in the city. But she couldn’t think of a single person she knew who carried that last name.
With a bit of hesitation, she glanced over at Alden. “Um… do you happen to know anyone with the last name Morrison p>
Alden nodded. “Yeah. Dorian Morrison’s a good friend of mine p>
Everything suddenly clicked into place. It had been Dorian behind her father’s transfer, and it was all because of Alden.
Her chest tightened with unease. “Please thank him for me. I’ll pay him back for the hospital expenses. It might take time, but I will p>
Anyone willing to do that much must have been more than just a friend.
Dorian had stepped in—not for her, but for Alden.
Yet the truth lingered in her mind. Their marriage wasn’t real. She didn’t want Alden indebted to someone over her personal problems.
Instead of brushing it off, Alden answered in his usual composed tone, “Dorian and I don’t bother keeping track of money. But if you insist on repaying, how about this—take one day off each month to visit my grandmother with me. We’ll start tomorrow p>
He had intentionally kept some things discreet, allowing Dorian’s name to appear on most of his arrangements. He knew it was just a matter of time before Helena put everything together.
“Your grandmother?” Helena asked, clearly intrigued.
For once, Alden had mentioned his own family—something he had never done before.