Chapter 468
Chapter 468:
A rush of cold air swept into the warm space. Instinctively, Helena turned, startled and ready to scream. But the moment her eyes met the figure in the doorway, the sound caught in her throat.
Her heart skipped—then slammed hard against her ribs. “Al… Alden?” There he was. The same handsome face she had memorized a hundred times over.
“It’s me! Helena, it’s really me.” Alden spoke with a voice weighed down by emotion, the words spilling out after being held back for so long. He clutched Helena with such force that she struggled to catch her breath.
Still, she pressed her face against his chest and didn’t budge an inch. They stayed wrapped up in each other for what felt like an eternity, until the need to see each other’s faces grew too strong. Slowly, they let go and looked at one another, as if they couldn’t get enough.
It had been close to a month since Alden left for his surgery, and he had shed a noticeable amount of weight. His sharp cheekbones stood out more, and the angles of his face seemed deeper than before. Helena noticed right away, and her heart tightened with sadness. The only bright spot was that he truly didn’t need his hearing aid anymore—clear proof that he was healing.
“Your ears p>
Helena barely got the words out when Alden jumped in, eager to calm her fears. “They’re fine, completely healed this time p>
“That’s wonderful! Really wonderful p>
Tears brimmed in Helena’s eyes, and she repeated herself, her voice catching in her throat.
Alden reached out and softly wiped her tears with his fingertips. Then, in a raspy tone, he said, “I’m sorry I made you cry again p>
Helena felt as though something heavy had lodged in her throat, making it hard to say a word.
All she could do was shake her head as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Then she let her head rest once more on Alden’s solid chest. He slid one arm around her shoulders, and with the other, he gently ran his fingers through her dark hair.
In the stillness, both of them thought back to that fleeting look they had shared the last time.
“Those roses p>
ℍ𝑒𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝓢 𝒅𝒆𝓯𝓮𝑛𝒅𝓮𝒓
Helena had barely begun to speak when Alden already caught on to what she meant.
With a bit of hesitation, he said, “I sent them. I was trying to drop a hint—to let you know I was still out there, still alive p>
Back then, Alden had arranged for someone else to bring the bouquet and had planned to disappear right after, so no one could trace him.
But he couldn’t help himself—he needed a glimpse of Helena. So, he stayed hidden nearby, keeping his eyes fixed on the flowers from the shadows.
Moments later, Helena came rushing out, so shaken she almost lost her footing.
In that instant, Alden didn’t stop to think. His body moved before his mind caught up—he dashed forward and caught her instinctively. But since they were outside her parents’ house, he couldn’t risk staying. He shot her one quick look, full of longing, then melted back into the shadows.