Chapter 269
Chapter 269:
“What are you thinking?” Alden exhaled a soft laugh, then reached out to tap her lightly on the forehead. “I’ve never liked anyone but you, and I never would. There was no substitute p>
His gaze didn’t waver. No teasing, no smirk—just a sincerity so solid, it left no doubt.
Helena blinked, momentarily thrown off by the gravity in his tone. Feeling unexpectedly small for doubting him, she let out a laugh to smooth things over. “Alright, alright. I was only joking. No need to get all dramatic p>
Seeing her drop the subject, Alden exhaled a quiet breath and drew her into his arms again.
“So…” she murmured, seizing her moment while snuggling back in, “you’ll help me with the interview p>
Of course, she’d circle back to business. Alden gave a resigned chuckle. “If my wife commands it, how could I possibly refuse p>
Helena tucked herself comfortably against his chest, her smile deepening as she listened to his mock-serious reply. He always said that—”Whatever you say, my love”—but hearing it never failed to melt her.
She was in a great mood the entire day. At noon, the two joined their family elders for lunch.
The atmosphere around the table was warm, steeped in soft laughter and shared glances. Several pairs of eyes lingered on Helena, as if their owners were trying to pour all their unspoken affection into her without saying a word.
Frida, unable to stay alert for long, barely touched her meal before sleep began to claim her, and she excused herself to rest.
Natalie and Kareem, though still nursing faint grudges toward Alden, had mellowed. The edge in their tones had dulled. They were softening.
As for Albert—he’d come a long way. He might not have said much, but watching Alden quietly cater to Helena, and showing deference even to an adoptive father without formal family standing… it had earned the old man’s reluctant respect. That wall between them had finally begun to crumble. In rare good spirits, he clapped Alden on the back and pulled him aside for a few drinks.
While drinking, Alden noticed something strange—sounds around him faded in and out, like a radio caught between stations.
At first, he blamed the alcohol. Maybe he’d just had one too many. But the next morning, the dissonance lingered—and so did the unease.
ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇꜱ ɪɴ ɢᴀʟɴᴏᴠᴇʟꜱ.ᴄᴏᴍ
He knew that sensation. Too well. There had been a time when he’d lost his hearing. And now, with that same creeping distortion returning, alarm bells went off in his head. He didn’t wait. He went straight to Leonino.
The examination was thorough. The silence between them was even more so. As Leonino read the report, the seriousness in his expression deepened with each line.
Alden watched him closely. Then he asked, plain and direct, “It’s a relapse, isn’t it p>
Leonino didn’t answer right away. His face stayed calm—too calm. But Alden wasn’t fooled. Leonino had been there the first time. He’d seen firsthand the pain Alden had clawed his way through just to hear again. Finally, he gave a…