Chapter 83: Another Love

I turned toward Lewis without thinking, my heart skipping as a single thought crossed my mind.Was he talking about... me?

Jeffrey let out a long breath, the sharp edge in his expression dulling into something tired. Worn. "I know you’ve kept your head down all these years," he said slowly. "You endured more than most would. And yes, this time, they crossed a line."

He paused, fingers pressing into the arm of his chair.

"But for the sake of the family," he continued, "for everything we’ve built, can’t you step back? There’s a child involved now. Like it or not, that baby may carry the Hale blood. If anything happens especially with Julian’s current condition things could spiral out of control."

Lewis didn’t react.

He stood there, calm and grounded, like nothing Jeffrey said could shake him.

"That child hasn’t even been confirmed," Lewis replied evenly. "No one knows if it belongs to the Hales. As for Julian yes, he’s sick. But it’s still early. His kidney issues and the tumor are treatable. If he follows medical advice, gets surgery, and shows some discipline, he can recover. He can still have children. He just needs time."

Jeffrey studied him closely, eyes narrowing. "You weren’t always like this," he said quietly. "When did you become so cold? So stubborn?"

Lewis’s voice dropped, lower and sharper than before.

"I gave in once," he said. "And that choice cost Elena her life."

The room seemed to tighten around us.

"Do you really think we carry no blame?" he went on. "Every one of us. Our silence. Our indifference. We looked away. That blood is on all our hands."

I stared at him, stunned.

This was the man standing in front of me now speaking with such certainty, such fire.

Back then, when everyone turned their backs on me... Lewis was the only one who came looking. Even after I died, he hadn’t let go.

And suddenly, everything made sense.

He didn’t come to Chedor by coincidence.

Those three thousand vigil lights... were they for me?

My chest tightened at the thought. I barely knew him back then. Why would he go so far?

Lewis’s voice wavered for just a second when he spoke Elena’s name, but he caught himself quickly.

"I gave up everything once," he said. "Handed the family to Julian because I thought it was right. And what did he do with it? Look at the mess he made. He couldn’t control himself. A man like that has no right leading the Hales."

It was the first time I’d ever seen Lewis truly angry.

Even his pale skin couldn’t hide the red creeping up his neck, his ears. The calm authority he carried had sharpened into something fierce.

Jeffrey, who had been scolding us moments ago, now looked shaken. Thoughtful.

"Julian wronged Elena," he admitted slowly. "I won’t deny that. But the people who hurt her were monsters. No one could’ve predicted it. Julian... he was weak. Confused. But I don’t believe he wanted her dead."

Lewis didn’t soften.

"Intent doesn’t change the result," he said coldly. "He failed when it mattered most. If he couldn’t protect one person, how could he protect an entire family? When pressure comes, he runs. When things fall apart, he blames others. I gave him time, Dad. Years. And he never stepped up. He lost his way or maybe he never had one to begin with."

The words hit hard.

Jeffrey fell silent, staring into the distance like something heavy had finally settled on his shoulders. He was watching the image of his chosen heir crumble, piece by piece.

After a long moment, he spoke.

"You’re right," he said firmly. "Julian’s failures are his own. I gave him every chance. He wasted them. You’ve proven yourself."

His gaze lifted to Lewis.

"From this moment on, the Hales are yours to lead."

The decision landed like a final strike.

Julian the golden son was exposed. His charm, his confidence, all of it hollow. Beneath it, he lacked the strength and responsibility true leadership demanded.

His downfall began with my death.

Everything after only confirmed it.

Even when he was caught with Camilla in the greenhouse, he ran from responsibility, pushing the blame onto her to save himself.

Everyone makes mistakes.

But a leader owns them.

Julian never did.

That was why he lost everything.

Lewis didn’t look proud. Not even a little.

"I gave him the chance," he said flatly. "He threw it away. I’m only taking back what should’ve always been mine. You should rest now, Dad. You’ve done enough."

Jeffrey’s attention shifted to me.

His eyes weren’t angry. Just observant.

"So," he asked calmly, "did you enjoy watching all of that?"

I stiffened, caught off guard. "I I wasn’t trying to cause trouble," I said quickly. "I just needed to protect myself. If I let them push me this time, they’d do it again."

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow.

"You’re shaking," he noted. "Relax. I never said you were wrong."

I blinked, surprised.

"Being mates to Lewis isn’t easy," Jeffrey said, his voice steady but firm. "Standing beside him takes backbone. It’s not about always being gentle. Sometimes, you have to show your teeth."

He glanced at me, not accusing, not angry.

"I don’t blame you for what you did. But next time, give me a warning. I’m not as young as I used to be. If you keep shocking me like this, I might not live long enough to see your children."

I froze.

That wasn’t what I expected at all.

I had braced myself for anger. For criticism. Instead, he was just... grumbling about being left out.

"I’m sorry, Jeffrey," I said honestly.

He waved it off. "Forget it. Seeing how you and Lewis stand together makes it easier for me to step aside. My son isn’t warm, and his body isn’t what it once was, but he knows how to carry weight. Stay with him. And hurry up and give me a grandchild."

Heat rushed straight to my face.

He said it so casually, like it was nothing, but I felt completely exposed. I didn’t even know where to look.

Lewis, as always, remained calm. "There’s no rush," he said smoothly. "Riley is still young. We’ll move at our own pace."

I glanced at him, relieved. He didn’t push me. Not even a little.

"From now on," Lewis added, "I’ll take care of everything related to the family."

Jeffrey nodded, slow and heavy, like he was finally setting something down after carrying it for too long. "Good. It’s all yours."

And just like that, it was done.

With a few quiet sentences, Lewis became the one everyone would follow.

As we walked back to our room, I noticed him watching me from the corner of his eye.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked. "Is it what my dad said? Don’t take it to heart. I only said those things to reassure him. He’s getting older. He doesn’t have much time left. If you don’t want children or aren’t ready no one will force you. Especially not after he’s gone."

I stopped walking and stared at him. "You talk about his death so easily," I said. "That’s scary. Aren’t you worried about bad luck, saying things like that?"

He squeezed my hand gently. "I’m not being cruel. I’m being honest. You don’t owe anyone a future you don’t want. You’re allowed to live your life your way."

There was no pressure in his voice. No hidden demand.

Just truth.

"But... you’re the Hale heir," I said quietly. "If I don’t have children, what happens after you?"

Lewis smiled faintly. "That doesn’t matter to me. Power fades. Wealth disappears. When I’m gone, it won’t be my problem anymore. If Julian’s child grows strong enough, then let them take over."

He said it like it was nothing.

I didn’t know what to say. How could someone who held so much authority speak so lightly about legacy?

"So don’t overthink it," he continued. "Life is short. I only have one request."

I looked up at him. "What is it?"

His voice softened. "Don’t ever talk about leaving me. Stay with me until the end. Let me protect you."

For a moment, it felt like his gaze went far deeper than the present, like he was seeing something old and painful layered over my face.

My chest tightened.

I couldn’t hold the question back any longer.

"Lewis," I whispered, "when you and Jeffrey talked about Elena... she sounded important to you. Was she?"

He didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he pulled me into his arms, holding me close, firm and steady.

"Do you want me to care about her?" he asked quietly.

My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I swallowed, my voice shaking.

"Th-then... who is it that you really love?"