Chapter 12
Sandra’s voice was humble, and after she finished speaking, she choked up on the other end of the line.
I was silent for a moment before calmly replying, “Okay.”
“Thank you so much,” Sandra said, her voice filled with relief and gratitude. After confirming that I would indeed come, she repeatedly thanked me before hanging up.
Honestly, I was surprised by how much Alpha Derick had changed in just six months. When I left him, I wanted him to remain engulfed in guilt forever. But I hadn’t anticipated how powerful that guilt could be.
I packed my things, said goodbye to the children and the headmaster of the orphanage, and set out to see Alpha Derick.
I wasn’t going to see him out of nostalgia or sympathy. Instead, I intended to use this opportunity to completely close the chapter on the past.
Arriving at the Gildon villa, I felt a tangle of emotions. The last time I was here, the entire
Gildon family had been hostile towards me, avoiding me as much as possible.
Sandra stood at the door, eagerly waiting for my arrival.
When she saw me approach, she immediately hobbled over with the help of a cane. She looked significantly older after the six months. Her steps were unsteady, and she seemed frail.
As she reached me, her eyes welled up with tears. “Eileen, thank you for coming.”
I offered her a polite smile but didn’t say anything.
When I arrived at the estate, the first person I encountered was Veronica. She was playing with mud in the yard, grinning foolishly.
Sandra explained, “After you left, Alpha Derick stopped speaking to her. She was traumatized and became somewhat unhinged. I took pity on her and brought her into the house.”
“Oh,” I replied indifferently.
I didn’t waste any time on Veronica. Led by Sandra, I went to Alpha Derick’s room and saw him lying in bed.
After six months, Alpha Derick was unrecognizable. He had lost so much weight that his face was gaunt. His once plump cheeks had hollowed out, his cheekbones were prominent, his eye sockets were deep–set, and his lips were pale. He looked gravely ill.
It was a sweltering summer day, yet he was covered with a thick blanket.
“Alpha Derick, Eileen is here to see you.”
Sandra stepped forward and gently called out to the sleeping Alpha Derick.
Alpha Derick slowly opened his eyes. As soon as he saw me, his eyes instantly filled with tears.
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
He parted his lips slightly, struggling to produce a voice that was raspy and barely audible.