The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Finally, Elice nodded. Without forgetting to say goodbye to Norah and some relatives there, she and Wilda left.

When they arrived at the room, hot food and drinks were already prepared for Elice, thanks to Wilda, who was worried about her daughter’s condition. She didn’t hesitate to ask the housekeeper to prepare everything.

“You have to take care of yourself, Elice. I know this is hard. But don’t neglect yourself.”

Quietly, Wilda watched her. Elice had eaten all day, but not much had gone into her stomach. It made Wilda worry about Elice’s condition.

“Thank you, Mom. I’ll remember.”

Wilda accompanied Elice and made sure that this time Elice really finished her dinner. And when her daughter felt tired, Wilda covered her with a blanket and did not leave until she was sure Elice was asleep.

When Wilda left the room, she found the house still bustling with activity. In fact, some of Garrett’s close relatives had decided to stay the night. And the housekeepers were promptly preparing rooms for them.

Wilda descended the stairs and looked around. Expecting to see if there was anything she could help with. But instead, she locked eyes with someone she least wanted to see.

Across the room, Farrah smiled at Wilda before deciding to leave. She approached her relatives and said hello.

As she walked and her eyes lifted, Farrah sighed deeply. She realized how magnificent the house she was entering was. A house that was not just a home. There was status and prestige that was of the utmost importance.

“Thank you for coming,” Farrah said goodbye to some of the guests who were saying goodbye to her. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with a handkerchief. Then she left.

The non-family guests had left one by one. Leaving behind a few relatives who also seemed tired. They sat on the sofa. Some had already disappeared into their rooms.

“May you have strength, Farrah.”

Farrah nodded as she received a hug from a guest. It looked truly heartfelt as the guest offered prayers to her.

“Thank you. Your presence really means a lot to us,” Farrah said as she released the hug. “This is really unexpected for us. Mom is still healthy. But who could have guessed?”

A tear rolled down Farrah’s cheek. Fortunately, the handkerchief didn’t slip from her hand. She wiped the tear away and seemed to be trying to calm herself.

Farrah joined the immediate family and approached Kurt and Ariel who were already there. Just where Garrett and Norah were also present.

Garrett raised his face. Ignoring some of the remaining relatives who were there to pray for the deceased, he stared at the family. One by one, his gaze lingered.

At Ariel.

To Kurt.

At Farrah.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“You must be devastated, Garrett. But you must be strong through all of this,” Farrah said.

Had Farrah ever been nice to Garrett? Never. But that was what happened that night.

In front of everyone, Farrah walked over to Garrett and Norah. After hugging Norah first, she turned to Garrett. Like an aunt comforting her grieving nephew, Farrah embraced Garrett.

Sure, everyone watching assumed it was an expression of love and support. But who could have guessed the real intention behind it all?

Farrah whispered, “If you’re not strong enough, it’s okay to step back. It’s better that way.”

Garrett’s body was hot and shaking. Amidst the tears he had been trying to hold back, there was now a surge of anger in his chest.

Garrett swallowed hard, trying to swallow every bitterness that came up. It tasted acrid. But he tried to smile.

And in front of everyone, Garrett spoke in a voice loud enough for them to hear, not just Farrah.

“Thank you, Auntie. Don’t worry. I will always be strong.”

Not only Farrah, but Garrett clenched his jaw.

*

“You’ll be fine at home, Elice.”

Elice nodded. She was still lying on her bed, her pale face the reason why Garrett had insisted that she not work.

“I want you to rest. Don’t think about anything.”

Garrett’s eyes fell on Elice’s stomach. He hoped in his heart that the grief she’d been carrying for the past week wouldn’t affect her unborn child.

Elice nodded again and tried to smile as Garrett left. She also tried her best to really rest as Garrett wished.

Instead of going straight to the office, Garrett made sure that the housekeepers were always ready to serve Elice.

“I will take care of Elice, Garrett. You don’t have to worry.”

Norah’s words were met by Wilda, who had decided to stay until then. It was clear to her that the couple still needed support.

“We’ll make sure Elice is all right.”

With that reassurance, Garrett could get his feet under him more easily. He got into the car and let Abert drive.

As the car pulled out of their gate, Garrett saw the grandeur from a distance. The big house that had truly become their home for the past week. With Daphne gone, Garrett automatically became the owner of the house.

A four-story mansion, incredibly large, luxurious and elegant. More than just an apartment. A house desired by many for the identity it carried. A symbol of dignity that not everyone could have.

Unfortunately, that was not what Garrett saw right now. Instead of the pride he witnessed, it was the disaster that fate had in store for him.

Filled with suffering, wrapped in worldly splendor. It looked dazzling. But the reality was the accompanying darkness.

Maybe Garrett shouldn’t have set foot there. So that he wouldn’t be plunged into the turmoil he never wanted. But…

No.

Garrett’s eyes reddened. His chest thundered with the suffocating feeling that crushed him every day. The anger was real. And it never left him, even as the days passed.

Because every time he thought he should never have gotten involved, faces flashed through Garrett’s mind. Not only that, but everything his family had sacrificed was dictated to his mind, one by one.

“Mr. Garrett.”

Garrett nodded weakly in response to Amber’s greeting that morning. He continued his steady strides that led him into his office. As he sat down, he said,

“When Mr. Carolus arrives, tell him to come in immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. Garrett.”

*