Chapter 221
The moment Henry stepped inside, a chill ran down his spine. The air felt wrong—stale, empty, devoid of the warmth that had defined this place. The living room, once cluttered with Eliana’s books and her father’s old chess set, was barren. No cozy throw blankets on the sofa, no faint aroma of Eliana’s herbal tea lingering from the kitchen. Everything was… different. Sterile. Like a show home, not their home.
“No!” Henry screamed, the word tearing from his throat in a guttural cry that echoed through the empty halls. His bag dropped to the floor with a thud as he sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time, his athletic build propelling him forward despite the lingering weakness from his fever.
He burst into Eliana’s room first—the one with the soft pink walls and the window overlooking the garden where she’d sit reading, her long curly black hair falling like a waterfall. Empty. The bed stripped bare, closets yawning open with nothing inside. Her favorite scented candles, her stack of romance novels, her honey-brown eyes reflected in the mirror that now showed only his panicked reflection—all gone.
He staggered to her father’s room next, the door creaking open to reveal the same void. Frank’s collection of faded photos from Eliana’s childhood, the medicine bottles on the nightstand—vanished. Henry’s breath came in short gasps, his kind heart fracturing under the weight.
But the worst was the baby’s room. He’d helped Eliana set it up during those blissful months, painting the walls, assembling the crib with laughter and shared dreams. Now, it was a hollow shell. The crib gone, the mobile of stars dismantled, the tiny clothes and toys packed away as if they’d never existed. Henry’s knees buckled, and he gripped the doorframe, tears blurring his vision. “Eliana… no p>
Panic surged through him like wildfire. He ran back downstairs, bursting out the front door onto the porch, his face ashen. Isabella was still in the car, but she leaped out at the sight of him, her elegant form rushing to his side. “Henry! What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost p>
“She’s gone!” Henry gasped, his voice breaking, hands gesturing wildly. “Eliana’s gone—she left me! All her things, her father’s, the baby’s room—everything’s empty! It’s like they were never here p>
Isabella’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, Henry… I’m so sorry. Come on, let’s think p>
But Henry was already pulling out his phone again, dialing Eliana’s number with frantic taps. It rang once, twice, three times… and then, miraculously, she picked up.
“Henry?” Eliana’s voice came through, soft and relieved, carrying that natural elegance even over the line. Her warm brown skin and expressive honey-brown eyes flashed in his mind, her hopeful smile a phantom comfort.
“Eliana! Where are you?” Henry demanded, his words tumbling out in a panic, pacing the porch like a caged animal. “I just got home—everything’s gone! Your room, your dad’s, the baby’s— what happened? Are you okay p>
There was a pause, and he could hear the emotion in her breath, the quiet strength she always hid behind. “Henry, oh God, I’ve been so worried about you. You vanished after I told you about Rafael… I thought something happened. Yes, I’m okay, but… things have changed. So much has changed. Can we meet? Please? I need to explain in person p>
“Yes, of course!” Henry replied instantly, his ambitious drive kicking in, fueled by the raw, unresolved love that had defined him for years. “Where? Name it p>
“Our favorite restaurant downtown,” Eliana said, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and something deeper—perhaps regret, or fear. “You know the one—the cozy Italian place with the red checkered tablecloths. No reservations needed, just like old times. Can you come now p>
“I’m on my way,” Henry said firmly, his warm eyes hardening with determination. “Don’t move. I’ll be there soon p>
He hung up, turning to Isabella, who stood there with car keys still in hand. “She wants to meet. The restaurant downtown. I have to go p>
Isabella nodded, her own rebuilt strength shining through. “I’ll drive you. No arguments p>
Meanwhile, across the ocean in New York, the scene shifted to a world of glittering deception and hidden daggers. Sarai Monroe’s private luxurious hostel room—befitting her status as a college student with a fashion influencer’s flair—was a sanctuary of opulence. The walls were adorned with designer posters and mood boards of high-fashion runway looks, the air scented with her signature vanilla and amber perfume. She stood before a full-length mirror, adjusting the sleek bun of her glossy jet-black hair, her light brown skin glowing under the soft lighting. Her outfit was a masterpiece: a form-fitting midnight black dress that hugged her fierce beauty, paired with stiletto heels and diamond earrings that caught the light like stars. She was getting ready for a fancy party with Jason Asher, her possessive heart already envisioning the night of adoration and triumph.
A smug smile played on her full lips as she applied a final touch of red lipstick, her sharp green eyes gleaming with the cunning that had always set her apart. “Perfect,” she murmured to her reflection. “Jason won’t be able to keep his eyes off me p>
The door suddenly bashed open with a violent slam, shattering the tranquility. Jason Asher stormed in, his golden-boy charm twisted into a mask of fury. His blonde hair was disheveled, hazel eyes blazing, his gym-toned body tense in his stylish casual wear—a crisp button-down and designer jeans. In his hand, he clutched a glossy magazine, which he hurled at Sarai like a weapon. It hit the floor with a thud, the cover facing up: a stunning photo of Eliana and Rafael Vexley, beaming as the newest wedded couple in town, headlines screaming “Billionaire Recluse Weds Caregiver in Secret Ceremony p>
“Explain this!” Jason roared, his voice echoing off the walls, his narcissistic entitlement boiling over. “What the hell is this, Sarai? Eliana—alive and married? You told me she was dead p>
Sarai’s hand froze mid-air, the lipstick tumbling from her fingers. The color drained from her face in pure shock, her elegant facade crumbling like a house of cards. Her sharp green eyes widened, staring at the magazine as if it were a ghost from her worst nightmares. “Jason… what? No, that can’t be p>
But Jason wasn’t done, advancing on her with manipulative fury, his strong jaw clenched. “You lied to me! Why? You said she was gone—dead in some accident! And now this? Married to that billionaire freak? What game are you playing, Sarai p>
Sarai backed up a step, her possessive heart pounding, envy and vengeance swirling in her chest. “I… I thought she was! Jason, listen p>
The room hung heavy with betrayal, the air thick with the drama of shattered illusions, as Sarai’s world tilted on its axis.