Chapter 41
Chapter 41:
Dorian watched Helena walk away, her posture tense, and it struck him—maybe he had said something wrong.
Mumbling under his breath, he said, “Wasn’t it supposed to be a good thing, her having support p>
Valeria’s eyes flared with irritation as she turned to him. “Why is Alden interested in her? Don’t play dumb. You know something p>
“Well, it’s because they used to—” Dorian nearly let it all spill, but slapped a hand over his mouth just in time.
That slip only confirmed what Valeria already suspected.
For a moment, she looked ready to chase after Helena, but her steps slowed before she got far.
Dorian tilted his head. “You’re letting her go just like that p>
Valeria’s tone was calm, but distant. “Helena isn’t just a friend. She’s my patient, too. And as her doctor, I’d say what she needs right now is space p>
Intrigued, Dorian leaned in slightly. “So what kind of doctor are you, exactly p>
Valeria’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Curious to know p>
Dorian teased, “Only so I know where to go when I’m in desperate need of your brilliant advice p>
Before the joke could finish, pain shot through his foot—Valeria had stomped on it again without warning.
Without missing a beat, Valeria said flatly, “Better visit an orthopedist first. While you’re at it, maybe get someone to check your head, too p>
By the time Alden reached home, the clock had already struck eight.
A comforting scent drifted toward him—warm, savory, and familiar. He followed it to the kitchen, only to find Helena walking out with a steaming bowl of soup in her hands.
Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she wore a childlike apron decorated with cartoon ducks and frilly yellow trim. She looked like something out of a bedtime story.
Without saying anything, Alden moved quietly to the drawers to fetch utensils.
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Plates filled with modest but lovingly made dishes sat waiting, along with a bowl of steaming soup.
Eventually, both of them took their seats. It could have been a peaceful moment, but the silence between them grew heavy with unspoken words.
As the last bites disappeared from her plate, Helena broke the silence, her eyes fixed on the table. “I’m moving my dad to a standard room in the nursing home p>
The single sentence made Alden’s brow furrow deeply.
She gave a dry, forced smile. “But I’ll still go with you to see your grandma every month. That part hasn’t changed.” Then she got up and began gathering the dishes, not waiting for a response.
With a firm grip, Alden took her hand and asked in a low voice, “You’re upset, aren’t you p>
Helena didn’t try to dodge the question. “I am p>
Alden had a feeling. “Is it about that spot in the Nexus TV news anchor selection p>
“That’s part of it, sure.” With red-rimmed eyes and tears threatening to spill, Helena looked up. “I’ve been thinking. We need to set some boundaries between us, Alden p>
As she turned to go, he pulled her back without thinking.
Plates slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor, sending shards in every direction.
Alden stepped closer, gently boxing her in between his arms.
A chill ran through his voice. “Give me one real reason. I want to hear it p>
Helena lifted her chin, defiance flickering through the tears in her eyes. “Because I’ve already accepted too much from you—more than we agreed on. Things that weren’t meant for me, like that opportunity someone else should have earned p>
“That opportunity…” Alden opened his mouth to explain. He wanted to say that the spot in the competition was always meant for her.
But Helena’s tears cut off his explanation.
In that moment, he saw something he hadn’t fully noticed before—her pride, her unwillingness to be anyone’s pet project.
“I hate how pathetic it makes me feel. I know I didn’t earn that spot the right way, but I still can’t bear the thought of losing it. This has always been my dream—to stand in front of the camera as a news anchor p>
No matter how hard things got—whether it was scraping together tuition or taking care of her father—Helena had never once called her life difficult. Every cent she earned, every sacrifice she made, had come from her own grit.
Pity was something she never allowed herself to wear.
But now, Alden’s interference made her feel like she was trapped between shame and helplessness.
“Helena,” Alden murmured, brushing his thumb beneath her eye as he wiped away her tears. “I hear you. But don’t cry, please p>
Helena’s vision was too blurred to read his face, but then his lips brushed softly against hers, catching her off guard.
A kiss followed. Then another. All gentle. All trembling with restraint. She’d never been kissed before.
Thoughts vanished from her head. Her hands pushed faintly at his chest, trying to push him away. That only fueled his desire more. His kisses deepened, like he was finally letting go of everything he’d been holding back.
A shiver ran from her lips down her neck.
There was no panic. No suffocating fear. Just the heady rush of surrender. She felt like being carried away by something too big to fight.
For the first time, Helena felt what it meant to lose herself in someone else.
When she felt Alden tug at her collar, the sudden touch of cold air finally jolted her into the present. She whispered, “Alden, don’t p>
Alden froze, then buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath shaky.
“Alright,” he whispered, the word barely audible.
A few quiet seconds passed before he carefully scooped her up and placed her gently on the sofa in the living room. Alden turned without a word and walked into the kitchen, the silence swallowing his steps as he cleaned up the mess.