Chapter 588
Chapter 588:
Dorian snapped out of his trance, lunging to reclaim the phone. The older woman’s voice crackled through. “Hello? Hello p>
But Dorian ended the call abruptly, his fingers trembling slightly as he shoved the device into his pocket. “I have to go,” he muttered, his voice tight with a nervousness Valeria had never seen in him before. “Something came up p>
He turned for the door, but Valeria’s hand shot out, grabbing his arm. “Dorian, something is wrong with you,” she said, her tone firm yet pleading.
He stood rigid, his back to her, unwilling—or unable—to face her.
Valeria’s grip loosened, but she didn’t let go. “Talk to me. Whatever trouble you are in, I can help. Or at least listen. I am a psychologist, you know p>
Her kindness pierced Dorian, each word a reminder of his unworthiness.
Dorian closed his eyes, the weight of her care pressing against the walls he had built around his truth. “It is just a work thing,” he said hoarsely. “Nothing big. I will sort it out p>
Valeria stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Do not try to brush me off,” she said.
Her voice sharp with conviction, she said, “When you came back to Morrison Group, you had nothing—no projects, no footing. You handled it like it was nothing. A small issue would not shake you like this p>
She searched his eyes, her gaze steady and unflinching. “Dorian, let’s talk. Really talk p>
Her sincerity was a blade, cutting through his defenses. He could not hold her stare. Slowly, he pulled his arm free, the motion heavy with defeat. “I am sorry,” he whispered, barely audible, before bolting out the door as if the apartment itself were closing in on him.
Valeria stood frozen, her heart sinking like a stone in deep water. As Dorian’s footsteps faded down the hall, a chasm seemed to open between them, wider than ever before. In all their time together, she had never felt so distant from him. What was Dorian hiding?
The following day, Helena and Valeria both happened to have the day off, so they decided to spend it shopping together. Neither woman had ever been a fan of shopping, and this outing was purely about finding gifts for Delaney.
They wandered through store after store, but nothing seemed to meet Helena’s standards. Valeria, noticing Helena’s growing indecision, couldn’t resist teasing her. “Every time you shop for yourself, you’re done in half an hour—tops. But when it’s for your mother-in-law, you scrutinize every rack. Honestly, Helena, you’re one of a kind p>
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Helena let out a rueful laugh, twirling a silk scarf between her fingers. “Come on, quit teasing. My mother-in-law barely tolerates me on a good day, and she hasn’t fully recovered. What else can I do except shower her with presents p>
There was no hidden agenda, no pretense behind her efforts. She simply loved Alden—enough that she couldn’t bear to have him caught in the middle. Besides, Delaney’s ordeal had been heartbreaking. Even if Helena hadn’t been Delaney’s daughter-in-law, she would have treated her with kindness out of pure empathy, never taking offense at her frosty demeanor and quietly hoping to win her over in time.