Chapter 616
Chapter 616
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Chapter 616
The afternoon air felt lighter the moment they stepped out of the courthouse.
No more flashing cameras. No more whispers filled with judgment. Just the quiet rhythm of their footsteps as they made their way back to the car-slower now, calmer… relieved.
Eli walked beside Althea.
She didn’t say much.
But this time, it wasn’t because she was holding something back. It was because she was feeling something new-something unfamiliar.
Lightness.
“It’s over,” she murmured softly.
Althea glanced at her and smiled. “Yes. It’s over p>
Eli gave a small nod. Almost unconsciously, her hand found Althea’s again, fingers wrapping gently around it. Unlike before, that touch wasn’t filled with fear. Just… a quiet need to know she wasn’t alone.
Daven, walking on the other side, noticed it. His gaze softened.
“Yes,” he said calmly. “It’s all over now. There are still a few things left to handle, but you don’t need to worry. Everything is under control p>
Eli and Althea both nodded.
“Let’s go home,” Daven added.
The ride back felt peaceful.
No heavy conversations. No lingering tension in the air.
Grace had fallen asleep against Riana’s shoulder, Josh occasionally leaned toward Eli, speaking in a low voice, trying to keep things light. The two of them had stayed in the car the entire time, under special security, they weren’t allowed inside the courtroom, though both of them had found a way around Riana Miller’s soft spot to come along anyway.
“So… you’re still helping me with math tomorrow, right?” Josh asked.
Eli turned to him and smiled faintly, “Of course. But you’re usually good at math. Is it getting harder p>
“Not really. I just prefer studying with someone. And I don’t get that part.” Josh grinned.
“Josh is terrible,” Grace mumbled sleepily.
Josh scoffed. “You’re not any better p>
A quiet laugh followed.
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And for the first time, Eli laughed too-without hesitation.
On the other hand, Althea leaned gently against Daven’s shoulder. The movement was small, but enough for him to notice immediately.
“Tired?” he asked softly.
Althea nodded. “A little p>
Daven shifted slightly to make her more comfortable, his hand instinctively brushing along her arm in a gentle, soothing motion. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” he murmured.
“I didn’t want to bother you p>
Daven glanced at her. “You never bother me p>
A faint smile touched Althea’s lips.
Over the past few weeks, she had been tiring more easily. Her body felt different-more sensitive, quicker to exhaust, and… more in need of someone she could lean on.
And that someone had always been Daven.
She let out a slow breath, her fingers unconsciously curling around the edge of his shirt.
Daven noticed. And didn’t pull away. By the time they arrived home, the atmosphere shifted once again- warm, familiar, and welcoming.
The staff greeted them quietly as they entered. No one asked unnecessary questions, but everyone understood-today had mattered.
“Let’s have dinner together,” Riana said.
Nathan nodded. “It’s all over. We deserve to celebrate p>
Grace let out a small cheer. “Finally p>
Josh laughed. “You’re just excited about the food p>
“Of course, Family dinners are the best,” Grace shot back without hesitation.
Eli lingered at the edge of the living room for a few seconds. She looked inside-really looked. Then, slowly, she stepped in. That feeling returned.
Warm.
But it is stronger this time.
As if she truly… belonged.
The evening unfolded in light conversation. No one brought up the trial anymore. Just small stories, easy laughter, and a warmth that felt real-steady, comforting.
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Eli sat between Josh and Grace. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they simply shared the quiet ease of being together.
“Where are we studying tomorrow?” Josh asked.
“In the study room,” Eli replied.
“I want to join too,” Grace chimed in.
“You won’t understand anything,” Josh said flatly.
“I just want to sit there,” Grace answered casually.
Eli smiled faintly at the two of them.
Across the table, Daven sat beside Althea-but his attention wasn’t on the food.
It was on her.
“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked softly.
Althea glanced down at her plate. “I’m not that hungry p>
Daven frowned slightly. “You said you were earlier p>
“Not anymore p>
He didn’t argue. Instead, he picked up a spoon and brought a small portion of soup toward her. “Just try a little p>
Althea looked at him. “Daven p>
“Just a little.” His voice was gentle-but impossible to refuse.
In the end, she gave in. She opened her mouth slightly and accepted the spoonful.
“How is it?” Daven asked.
“…It’s good,” she said quietly,
“Good. Have some more p>
Althea let out a small sigh, but she didn’t protest. She took a few more bites, slower this time.
Riana watched them with a soft smile. “You take very good care of her p>
Daven didn’t look away. “I should p>
Althea leaned slightly against him.
It was a small movement-but enough for Daven to adjust immediately, shifting so she could rest more comfortably.
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“Hey,” he murmured. “What is it p>
“It’s nothing p>
“You must need something p>
Althea smiled faintly. “I just want to be close to you p>
Daven fell silent for a moment.
Then his hand moved, finding hers beneath the table, fingers wrapping around it gently.
“Then I won’t go anywhere,” he said softly.
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After dinner, they moved to the family room. The warmth lingered. Grace fell asleep first. Josh was still chatting with Eli, his voice low but animated.
Meanwhile, Althea sat on the sofa, her eyes slowly drifting shut.
Daven noticed immediately. He walked over. “Sleepy?” he asked.
Althea nodded. “A little p>
“Come on. Let’s go to the bedroom p>
“I want to stay here,” she murmured, looking up at him with a quiet, pleading gaze.
Daven let out a soft breath-but he didn’t insist.
Instead, he sat beside her and let her lean against his shoulder. A few seconds later, Althea’s eyes closed completely. Her hand still clutched his arm, as if making sure he wouldn’t go anywhere.
Daven looked at her for a long moment.
There was something softer in his gaze now-something rarely seen. He gently brushed a strand of her hair back, his touch careful, deliberate, as though even the smallest movement might disturb her,
Still, there was unmistakable tenderness in the way he did it.
From across the room, Nathan watched quietly, a faint smile forming on his lips. “He’s really changed,” he said softly to Riana, relief settling deep in his chest.
Riana nodded. “Because now he has something to protect p>
Nathan’s gaze remained on them. “And this time… he won’t fail p>
A while later, Althea slowly opened her eyes.
“Daven p>
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“I’m here p>
“I know p>
She smiled faintly, then said quietly, “I want us to visit Chase’s grave p>
Daven paused for a few seconds, then nodded. “You’re right. I promised we would go soon.” His eyes
held hers.
“Now that everything’s settled after the trial, we can go together. I’ll arrange the time… maybe next week p>
Althea tightened her hold on his hand. And for the first time after everything they had been through-it truly felt like their lives were beginning to come back together.
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