Chapter 368
Chapter 368:
“Don’t,” Albert caught her arm, his voice lowering, trying to stop her from storming in. “Look at her. No one’s pressuring her—she still has feelings for Alden p>
“All the more reason to step in—she’s completely bewitched by him!” Natalie’s agitation grew, fueled by the avalanche of pain Alden had brought crashing down on their daughter.
Albert glanced at Kareem, who gave a slight nod. Without saying a word, the two men gently guided Natalie away, their hands firm but careful, as if trying not to shatter what little restraint she had left.
Once they reached a quiet corner and released her, Natalie spun around, fury igniting like dry brush in the heat. “What exactly are you two doing?” she snapped.
“Natalie, please—just breathe,” Kareem said softly, gently gripping her shoulders to steady her. “Albert watched Helena grow up. If anyone can make sense of what she’s feeling, it’s him. Just… listen to him, okay p>
Natalie’s mouth opened to argue, but the words stalled. A sharp ache bloomed in her chest as she remembered all the years she hadn’t been there.
Guilt pressed down hard, silencing her at last.
Only then did Albert manage to get a word in. “Helena might look soft on the outside, but once she digs in her heels, there’s no moving her. If she’s decided Alden’s the one, trying to tear them apart will just make her cling to him harder p>
Natalie crossed her arms. “Then what do you suggest p>
The image of that heated kiss between Helena and Alden flashed through Albert’s mind, and he let out a weary breath. “What choice do we have? Right now, all we can do is stand by her—and make damn sure Alden doesn’t get out of line. More than anything, we have to make sure he doesn’t get another chance to hurt her p>
Natalie and Kareem exchanged a look—silent, grim—before giving a reluctant nod.
In fact, the moment Albert cracked open the door, both Alden and Helena had noticed it.
Alden, instinctively aware of how it might look to the older generation, loosened his hold on Helena without a word.
What caught him off guard was Helena, usually so timid, clutching his waist with sudden urgency, as if anchoring herself to him.
Alden stiffened, caught off guard by her boldness, but his hesitation faded as he slipped into the moment she’d created.
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That was the moment Albert had stumbled upon—charged with heat and tenderness, impossible to misread.
Once the echo of retreating footsteps faded into silence, Helena’s posture softened, and she slowly released her hold.
Yet now, Alden was the one clinging to her, as if letting go wasn’t an option.
Though their lips had parted, he kept her close, one hand resting lightly at her waist. His breath grazed her ear as he murmured, “Helena, what was that little performance just now p>
The memory of what she’d just done sent a rush of heat crawling up Helena’s face.
Head ducked, she gave him a sheepish nudge, her voice tinged with flustered defiance. “Of course I did it for you p>