Chapter 82
Chapter 82:
Helena only noticed missed calls from Alden after settling into the back seat of the cab.
Earlier, she’d been caught in the chaos of the subway, her arms pinned to her sides with no chance to grab her phone.
She typed out a quick message, saying, “I’m already on the way. You can come over once your interview wraps up p>
From what she remembered, these exclusive interviews usually stretched at least two hours. She could use that time to catch up with Frida and maybe lend a hand in the garden—she still felt bad for missing it last time.
Right as that plan formed in her head, her screen lit up again. Alden was calling.
His voice, unusually direct, came through the line. “Helena, I thought you were the one doing the interview today. That’s why I said I’d pick you up outside Nexus TV p>
The realization hit Helena like a bucket of cold water. Betsey must have tricked him.
Without missing a beat, she replied calmly, “I don’t mind not being on this one. But please don’t leave Dominick out. He’s the one who put himself out there to get this story p>
Alden’s voice sharpened as he responded, “So Dominick’s that important to you p>
Another female anchor had begun to take an interest in him, yet Helena didn’t show even a hint of jealousy. Her only concern was Dominick.
Helena blinked in disbelief. “You’re clearly giving him a hard time!” For days she couldn’t figure out why Alden, who was normally calm and composed, had been so relentless in picking on Dominick in front of everyone.
The words were right there on her tongue, ready to explode—when the call abruptly cut out.
Her phone screen went black. Dead battery.
Helena clenched her jaw, lips tightening in silent frustration.
The cab driver let out a chuckle. “Sounds like boyfriend drama to me p>
Helena blinked in surprise. “Why do you say so p>
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺
With a smirk, the driver threw her a sideways glance. “Clear as day. He’s jealous but too proud to say it. Been there myself when I was young p>
Helena let out a laugh. “There’s no way that could happen.” Alden? Jealous of anyone? The thought was laughable.
Feelings like that only came with love—and whatever existed between them, it had never crossed that line.
Then, out of nowhere, Helena’s breath caught.
“What if I took it seriously? Helena, let me help you p>
Alden’s deep, husky voice lingered in her ears. Her heart skipped unexpectedly, and something unspoken stirred deep inside her. But she didn’t dare look too closely at that brief, unsettling thought.
Helena gave a small shake of her head and said nothing more. By the time they reached their destination, Helena climbed out of the cab, her thoughts still tangled and distant.
The afternoon sunlight stretched across the villa’s front yard, where fresh green sprouts peeked through the flowerbeds, each one impossibly delicate and brimming with life.
Frida was crouched low, pulling weeds or maybe just enjoying the earth. When she saw Helena, her whole face lit up.
“Frida, good afternoon,” Helena said with a warm smile as she made her way over.
It wasn’t until she drew nearer that she realized the person standing next to Frida wasn’t Shelley, but a flawlessly put-together woman, dressed with elegant flair and radiating unmistakable wealth.
The stranger lifted her brows, clearly sizing Helena up before offering a carefully pleasant smile. “So you’re Helena. I’ve heard so much—it’s lovely to meet you p>
Frida reached over and gently took Helena’s hand. “This is Maisie—Alden’s stepmother. She’s also Rylan’s mother p>
Helena grasped the situation in an instant. When her eyes settled on Maisie, Gemma briefly flickered through her mind like a shadow from the past.
There was something strikingly similar about them. From the way their hair fell to the way they carried their hands, everything screamed the self-assurance of someone raised with every advantage.
But it was the sharpness in their gaze—that quiet, calculating glint—that really set off alarms in Helena’s mind.
Helena’s instincts kicked in, walls going up without hesitation.
With a practiced smile, Maisie said, “I heard you and Alden would visit Frida on Friday. Since we missed that dinner last time, I thought we could make up for it today. Chadwick and Rylan are both here, too p>
Helena drew in a slow, steady breath.
It sounded like this wasn’t just a casual visit. It was shaping up to be a full-fledged family affair. She was already wishing she’d come with Alden after all.
Frida must have picked up on the shift in her mood. She gave Helena’s hand a soft pat. “No need to worry p>
With a small nod, Helena took comfort in the gesture, fully aware of Frida’s constant effort to keep the peace.
Even in Alden’s absence, Helena knew how to carry herself. She would show proper respect, no matter what.
Watching her closely, Maisie noted the quiet demeanor and felt a sense of ease. A soft-spoken girl from humble beginnings—yes, she was the ideal match for Alden.
If the bride had been Emily—the one originally meant to marry Alden—there could’ve been a genuine chance that the Simpson family would align themselves with him.
But Helena? She was unpretentious, came from nothing, and posed no threat. A perfect fit for that deaf man.
Maisie had already begun to scheme. With her true thoughts masked by a pleasant smile, she slipped her arm around Helena’s with practiced ease.
“Treat this place like your own,” Maisie said smoothly. “You belong here. We’re family, after all p>
Frida’s expression shifted. Her frown was subtle but impossible to miss. Whatever had gone down in the past, it had left an ugly mark on the family. Maisie had been with the Wilson family for years, yet Alden had never treated her like one of their own. He hadn’t even given her so much as a warm look. And now she had the audacity to put on this act, pretending to be some warm-hearted mother-in-law—in front of Helena?
Before Frida could say a word, Helena calmly met Maisie’s gaze and said, “Anywhere Frida calls home is mine too. That makes it my home as well. I already feel like I belong p>