Chapter 39 What Remains
+8 Pearls
“Cherish it?” Adeline let out a laugh. “Cherish a man who doesn’t even know how long he has left? Or cherish this little business transaction you call a marriage?”
The room fell deathly still. Even the servants held their breath.
A cold, heavy voice cut through the silence. That’s enough.”
Gavin stepped in from the dining room, his face clouded with fury. Each of his footsteps landed like a hammer on the floor. He came to a stop and stared down at her.
“Watch your mouth. This is the Layton family–not a place for you to throw tantrums.”
But Adeline didn’t flinch. She lifted her chin and met his glare without backing down. “Throw tantrums? If someone hadn’t set me up first, why would I be Jike this?”
Their gazes clashed like steel on steel–sharp, hard, and merciless.
Gavin was the first to look away. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the anger boiling beneath the surface.
“Don’t forget, without the Layton family, you’d be nothing. Three years ago, we saved you. Now it’s your turn to make a little sacrifice for the family. What’s wrong with that?”
“Saved me?” Adeline laughed bitterly, her voice full of scorn. “You knew I was innocent and still made me take the fall. If that’s what you call saving. I should be thanking you on my knees.”
The room went silent. Even Michelle, who usually played the fragile, harmless one, looked unsettled.
Adeline glanced around the room. The piles of ornate gifts from the Kyree family stood like trophies of a twisted deal, mocking her. The Layton family–once her supposed refuge was now nothing more than a polished prison. It had stolen her freedom, and with it, her dignity.
“Adeline!”
Gavin’s voice rang from the staircase. He was descending quickly, face dark as thunder.
Adeline didn’t turn. “Mr. Gavin. Something you’d like to say?”
“What did you mean by what you said to Michelle?” he asked from behind, is tone barely holding back the storm inside.
“Exactly what it sounded like.” She turned to face him, her smile cold. “Or do you need me to spell it out?”
Gavin took a breath, trying to stay calm. He knew this wasn’t the same girl from three years ago–this Adeline was sharp. detached, and impossible to control.
“I don’t care how bitter you feel. You’re going to apologize to Mother,” he said, voice firm and absolute.
“Apologize?” Her eyebrows lifted. “For what? For exposing Michelle’s little game? Or for ruining the perfect illusion you’ve all worked so hard to maintain?”
Gavin’s fist clenched at his side. “Mother’s not well. She doesn’t need this kind of stress.”
“Ph, but it’s okay for you all to hurt me?” Adeline took a step forward. “And I’m not even allowed to speak up?‘
Each step she took forced Gavin back until he bumped into the armrest of the couch.
Gavin, are you really trying to protect the family… or just your own interests?”
He staggered slightly, one hand at his chest, face pale but defiant. “We’re still siblings, Adeline. I don’t want to see you destroy
11:20 AM
Chapter 39 What Remains
+8 Pearls:
Gavin opened his mouth, but no words came. He looked down, eyes fixed on the floor–haunted. For a moment, all he could see was the little girl who used to chase after him, calling him “brother with wide, trusting eyes.
“You used to follow me around all the time,” he murmured, voice hoarse. “Said you wanted to marry someone just like me when you grew up. Back then, I thought I was the luckiest person in the world… because I had you as my sister.”
“Too bad,” Adeline said, cutting him off. “That was a long time ago. I’m not that little girl anymore. And you… you stopped being my brother the day you chose to throw me away.”
Gavin looked up. The cold in her eyes hit him like a slap. Something sharp twisted in his chest. He wanted to explain, to say something, anything–but there was nothing left to say.
A calm yet commanding voice rang out.
“That’s enough. Both of you.”
Diana descended the stairs slowly, dressed in a lavish cheongsam. She wore a gentle, motherly smile, but her eyes sparkled with calculation.
