Chapter 401
Chapter 401:
Bella’s face lit up with a genuine smile. “If Uncle Kaiden comes back, it would be wonderful. Our family gatherings would finally feel lively again p>
Kaiden Harris was Callum’s younger brother and Katelyn’s second elder brother—a free spirit who had broken away from the family’s expectations. Instead of stepping into the Harris family business, he pursued acting with relentless passion, a choice that clashed sharply with their father, Rupert Harris.
Rupert, a traditionalist at heart, couldn’t stand the thought of one of his sons abandoning the legacy he had worked so hard to build. Determined to steer Kaiden back onto what he considered the “right path,” Rupert created obstacle after obstacle, hoping that failure would force Kaiden to give up his acting ambitions and return to the family fold. But Kaiden’s resolve only strengthened in the face of adversity.
When Rupert’s influence made it impossible for Kaiden to thrive in his home country, he made a bold decision—he left, seeking opportunities abroad where Rupert’s reach couldn’t interfere. For the sake of his dream, Kaiden spent many years abroad, returning to Eighfast only briefly on rare occasions.
Despite his visits, he never reconnected with the Harris family. The wounds from Rupert’s actions still lingered, and the thought of what his father had done to derail his ambitions kept him distant.
Over time, however, Kaiden’s anger slowly began to fade. The fiery resentment of his youth softened, replaced by a quiet regret that would never fully leave him. His deepest remorse was not being there when Rupert needed him most.
When Rupert fell ill and passed away unexpectedly, Kaiden had been on a closed set, immersed in filming. By the time he finished and received the news, it was too late. Heartbroken, he rushed back to pay his final respects and assist with the funeral arrangements. But the brief return only underscored the life he had built abroad, and soon after, he returned to Malyland to continue his career.
Kaiden’s hesitation to abandon his hard-won success was understandable. He had carved out a place for himself in a competitive industry, far from the Harris family’s shadow.
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Yet as the years passed, the allure of foreign fame and fortune began to lose its hold on him. Whether it was the passage of time or a longing for home, Kaiden found himself yearning for something more meaningful than the glittering world he had once cherished.
This shift was a blessing for Elianna. Now in her twilight years, she cherished each day as a gift and feared leaving the world without seeing her family united once more. She had asked Kaiden to return before, but he had always hesitated, unwilling to confront the life he had left behind. Now, however, it seemed Kaiden had finally come around. “It’s good that he’s coming back home p>
For the first time, Yelena glimpsed the depth of love Elianna held for her family—a love Yelena had rarely seen so openly expressed. But to Yelena, Kaiden and his family were just names, people she had never met. Their return, while clearly monumental to Elianna, held no personal significance for her.
Still, Elianna’s joy was contagious. Even though the visit was weeks away, she had already thrown herself into preparations, orchestrating every detail to make their stay perfect.
As Yelena was about to leave the room, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She reached for it, but not before catching Bella’s eyes darting toward her with an uncharacteristic flicker of interest.
“What is she so excited about?” Yelena thought. Bella’s excitement over something as ordinary as a phone call set off a faint alarm in Yelena’s mind. Bella rarely showed her hand so blatantly. Something was definitely up.
Unbothered, Yelena checked the screen. It was Erica.
She answered, and Erica’s anxious voice spilled out in a rush. “Yelena, are you planning to apply for graduate school p>
Graduate school had never been part of Yelena’s plan. Attending college was a concession she had made to ease her parents’ concerns, but with her double degree already finished, there was no reason to pursue further studies.
Yelena frowned slightly. “No, I’m not,” she replied, her tone steady.