Chapter 61
Chapter 61:
Helena didn’t get a word out.
The two guards from the Simpson family had already grabbed her by the arms and were dragging her toward the waiting car.
“I’m not going! Mom, please!” Helena cried out, her voice shaking. Her eyes locked onto Gemma. “I’ve never begged you before. Just this one time—don’t make me leave Cheson behind like this p>
She knew what would happen the moment she stepped into that car. The truth wouldn’t matter. People would remember the headlines, not the facts.
But Gemma’s face remained cold. “For the sake of the Simpson family, you’re leaving. End of discussion p>
“Let her go!” Right as Helena was about to be forced into the car, Alden appeared, his tall frame cutting through the light as he approached.
Everything about him—his eyes, his stance, the stillness in his expression—warned everyone to take him seriously.
With one swift kick, Alden sent one of the bodyguards holding Helena crashing to the ground.
The second guard froze, too stunned to react.
Gemma flinched. “A-Alden? Why are you here? Are you here to—are you taking Helena to file for divorce p>
The moment Helena saw Alden, the tears she’d fought so hard to hold in finally broke free.
She didn’t run to him. She couldn’t. Part of her still feared Alden might do exactly what Gemma suggested—end everything.
Instead, Alden stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms.
He wrapped his jacket around her shoulders, then reached up to smooth her tangled hair with a tenderness that made her knees weak.
“I told you,” Alden said, his voice low. “I came to take you home p>
Gemma didn’t speak right away. Her gaze flicked to Helena, then back to Alden. She chose her words carefully as she said, “If you truly care about her, Alden, then let her go back with us. It’s what’s best for her, for everyone p>
Alden didn’t blink. “And if I did, what would you do in return p>
gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs﹒𝚌o𝗺 is where stories live
“I’ll make sure Helena stays safe and at ease, and when the scandal blows over, I’ll return her to you without causing any problems p>
Gemma wiped the cold sweat from her brow, forcing a smile. Ever since Stacey’s family had mysteriously fallen apart, her own family had taken blow after blow and never managed to bounce back. Gemma saw her chance—and she planned to take full advantage of it. If she could get Helena under control, Alden would eventually have to play along. There were plenty of favors she could squeeze out of him.
Alden didn’t let her get far with that plan. “Her name’s been dragged through the mud. Are you just going to do nothing p>
The accusation caught Gemma off guard. She blinked, recovering just in time to force a scoff. “She got herself into this mess. Don’t expect me to clean it up p>
A flicker of contempt crossed Alden’s eyes as he called out Gemma’s double standard. “If Emily were the one in trouble, you’d have a press conference lined up before sunrise to clear her name p>
Helena was caught off guard. There was no one who grasped the meaning behind Alden’s words more clearly than she did.
She and Emily might have both been Gemma’s daughters by blood, but the way they’d been raised told a different story—one had been pampered like royalty, while the other had been treated as if she didn’t matter at all.
Helena understood perfectly well that Gemma would never stand up for her. Out of everyone in the world, it was her own mother who had the least faith in her.
“We’re leaving p>
With an unusual softness, Alden took Helena’s hand and guided her toward his car.
Gemma stomped her foot in frustration but didn’t dare send anyone after them.
She called out behind them, “Alden, if you won’t divorce Helena, what will the rest of the Wilson family do? You think they’ll accept a woman with this much dirt on her name p>
The words hit like a stone. Helena faltered, her fingers loosening slightly in Alden’s grip.
She believed Gemma had struck a nerve. Would Alden truly defy his own family just for her?
After all, this marriage had only been a deal.
She lowered her head, her vision swimming with fresh tears, and her heart felt as though it were being torn in two.
“The rest of the Wilson family doesn’t matter to me—once I’ve made a decision, no one in my family would dare stand in my way p>
A comforting warmth enveloped Helena as Alden drew her into his arms. His voice was cool and firm, rising from his chest, yet his heartbeat thudded steadily right beside her ear, bringing a sense of calm. No one had ever stood behind her with that kind of unwavering support.
With Alden by her side, she felt ready to stand tall against anything the world could throw at her.