Chapter 211
Chapter 211:
Years of tracking subtle shifts in people had sharpened Dario’s instincts. He caught the small movement in her hands and laughed quietly. “Are you trying to explain this to me, or are you just trying to convince yourself p>
That cut straight through Helena’s defenses. For a moment, she couldn’t find a single word to say.
Eventually, her lips curved into a faint smile. “Maybe it’s both. I won’t lie—part of me still hasn’t let go of the past. But no relationship is flawless. The guilt Alden’s carried all these years proves he’s someone who takes responsibility. I can’t ask more of him than that, especially knowing how young he was back then p>
“Fine, let’s go with the idea that he wasn’t at fault for what happened back then. But what about everything that happened recently?” Dario pushed forward. “After the two of you crossed paths again, he kept the truth from you. Doesn’t that show he couldn’t deal with his own weakness? It’s one thing to be irresponsible as a teenager, but if he’s nearly thirty and still hasn’t learned to take accountability, I don’t see how anyone could call him a real man p>
As his frustration spilled out, Dario failed to see how much of it came from somewhere personal.
Helena blinked, caught off guard by the heat in his voice, but she held her ground. “He did hide things. Maybe part of the reason was fear. But you’re not seeing the whole picture p>
“Then explain it to me p>
“He wanted to protect me. He was afraid that if I remembered everything, I’d break p>
There was no hesitation in Helena’s voice. Just quiet certainty. That trust—unyielding and unshaken—left Dario staring at her in disbelief.
Silence followed. Then came a crooked smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So that’s it. You’ve already decided. You’re not walking away from him p>
Helena had thought about leaving. More than once.
But the moment she saw Alden stab himself without a second thought, every wall she’d built against him shattered.
Helena didn’t offer a reply, but she didn’t need to.
Step into a new world at gαℓησν𝒆ℓs․cøm
Without a word from her, Dario caught on—her silence said enough.
A strange stillness settled between them, and then, the sound of a knock broke the tension.
“Come in,” Helena said, lifting her voice. A moment later, a vibrant bundle of yellow roses made its way through the cracked door.
Hope rose in her chest, her thoughts immediately jumping to Alden.
That hope vanished the second a voice spoke. “Helena, I just wanted to see how you’re doing… and also to say I’m sorry p>
The flowers lowered, revealing Leonino’s sheepish expression, his embarrassment obvious even behind the blooms.
Seeing who it was, Helena couldn’t hide the dip in her expression.
Still, she managed a polite smile. “Dr. Prescott? How did you even know I was p>
“I told him, of course p>
The voice came from behind as Valeria stepped inside, concern written all over her face.