Chapter 411
With that thought, her once fluttering heart sank.
While she stared at the enigmatic, castle-like building before her, she couldn’t shake an inexplicable feeling of danger.
Regardless, she continued to push the wheelchair forward slowly.
The inside of the villa was not what Ariana had expected.
She had anticipated it to be as glamorous as its exterior, but it surprised her with its cozy ambiance.
The dominant color scheme was earthy, with wooden flooring, warm-colored curtains, and a delicately designed fireplace that dispersed the cold air brought in by Ariana from outside.
This place felt much more inviting than the Anderson family home.
Ariana, feeling more at ease, asked, “It’s very clean here.
Do you visit often?”
“No, I stay here for a month each year during this time.
Someone cleans it regularly.
” Theodore casually dr@ped his coat over the sofa and loosened his tie.
It seemed as if he had become completely relaxed upon entering the villa, no longer appearing as somber and aloof as he had in the car.
Ariana found herself stealing glances at him before asking, “Did you ever come here with Helen?”
Immediately after speaking, she regretted her words and mentally chastised herself for not staying quiet.
“No, no one else has ever set foot in this place.
You’re the first.
” Theodore locked eyes with her and spoke earnestly in a low tone.
©
As Theodore spoke with the tenderness of a love confession, Ariana found herself unable to contain her emotions.
She scoffed, “Don’t try to fool me.
When you and Helen entered the estate together, you were photographed.
I’m not the first one to be here, am I?”
A hint of jealousy laced her words.
She wanted to be an independent woman, unburdened by a man’s love, but Theodore’s gentle words always managed to sway her.
She refused to believe anything he said.
Noticing Ariana’s angry retort, Theodore furrowed his brow and quickly grasped the situation.
“I didn’t lie to you.
The pictures you saw were only captured during the times when Helen went in and out of the manor, right?”
Ariana bit her lip, remaining silent and visibly displeased.
“she only went to the cemetery.
I never allowed her into this house.
Besides, she was sent back to the hospital after just one day, without spending the night.
”
Theodore took Ariana’s hand in his, tenderly massaging her fingertips and soft palm as if he were stroking a kitten’s fur.
“The reason I had Horace buy those photos is to prevent any unwanted attention that might disturd my mother’s peace.
”
Books s Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…
“How can I be sure you’re telling the truth?” Ariana mumbled under her breath.
She tried to pull her hand back but Theodore gripped it tightly.
She had no choice but to let him continue toying with it.
What exactly were they doing now?
Their recent separation, without communication, seemed to have changed nothing, and they had reverted to their initial state of uncertainty.
Theodore sighed.
Not releasing her, he led her to the study.
The study was very large, with towering bookshelves that reached the ceiling, and housed innumerable books.
Theodore led Ariana to the desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a pile of photographs.
“These are the pictures they took, complete with dates and times at the bottom.
”