Chapter 400
Chapter 400:
Helena assumed Alden had returned, so she hurried to open it. “Xavier p>
She looked at the man in front of her, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of disappointment.
“Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Wilson sent me to see you,” Xavier said politely as he entered.
“Where is he? Where did he go?” Helena asked, her voice tinged with worry.
As she had guessed, Xavier confirmed that Alden had left for Corland by himself to have the surgery.
“But we agreed I’d join him in two days, didn’t we?” Helena asked. Even as she said it, the realization hit her like a punch. “Alden was stringing me along the whole time, wasn’t he? He never intended to take me with him p>
Her eyes burned as she shot a sharp look at Xavier. Her voice rose with frustration. “You were in on it too, weren’t you p>
“Mrs. Wilson…” Xavier responded, his tone uneasy and full of regret.
Helena shut her eyes briefly. She knew it wasn’t fair to put the blame on him. Turning her back on him, she pulled out her phone and dialed Alden’s number.
Within moments, the line connected.
Wasting no breath, Helena snapped, “Alden! You lied to me again!” She didn’t give Alden a chance to speak. Her voice rose, urgent and shaking. “Tell me where you are! I’m coming to you right now p>
The only answer at first was a low hiss of static. Then, after what felt like forever, Alden’s voice came through—low, calm, and soothing. “Helena, please don’t be upset p>
“How am I supposed to not be upset? How many lies have you told me?” Helena’s anger faltered. Her words trembled as emotion welled up in her throat.
Alden caught the break in her voice. At that moment, more than anything, he wished he could be with her—to hold her close and wipe away the tears he knew were about to fall.
“Helena, I’m sorry.” His voice was soft, almost timid. Then he added, “I wanted you there with me too. I want you close, always. I want all your love, all your time p>
He let out a tired sigh. “But I can’t. Helena, you have your own path to follow—your work, your goals. I don’t want to be the one standing in your way p>
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“I never felt like you were standing in my way!” Helena’s voice cracked as she spoke through her tears. “And if anyone’s been a burden, it’s me dragging you down! If you hadn’t risked yourself to save me, your ears would still p>
“Stop.” Alden gently cut her off before she could finish. He waited patiently until her sobs faded. Then, in a calm, steady tone, he said, “Helena, please hear me out. What happened to me wasn’t your fault. Not even a little p>
He spoke slowly, each word deliberate, as though he wanted to carve them into her heart. “The men who attacked you were working for Chadwick. You only got pulled into that mess because of your connection to me. If I hadn’t stepped in to protect you, I’d never have been able to live with myself p>
“Don’t say that. You—” Helena cut in, shaken by the weight of his words.
But Alden pressed on, his voice soft but firm. “You see? You don’t want me burdened by guilt, right? That’s exactly how I feel about you, Helena. I want you to live without regrets. I want you free to chase your dreams p>