CHAPTER 139: BIRTH MOTHER’S PENDANT

Heather stood at the door, her hand on the knob. She took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out, steadying herself. When she finally opened the door, she wore a smile.

But anyone paying attention could tell—it was practiced. It didn’t reach her eyes.

"Well, hello there," she said, her voice light. Her eyes ran over Adonis’s suit. "You really dressed the part. Guess you’re taking the new position seriously. Too bad it’s only temporary." She let out a small laugh. It was clearly fake.

Adonis returned a faint, unreadable smile. "Hmm. We’ll see," he said casually. "Is my brother home?"

Of course, he already knew the answer. He just wanted to hear her say it.

"We were just about to leave to see a specialist," Heather said. Her voice stayed calm, but it was a lie, and they both knew it.

"What kind of specialist?" Adonis asked. "And more importantly; may I come in?"

Heather hesitated for only a moment, then stepped aside.

"Right. Come on in."

Adonis stepped past her, and Adams followed quietly, giving Heather an apologetic glance as he moved around her.

Adonis took his time as he walked inside. His eyes scanned the room slowly. He was clearly taking in every detail. He’d always noticed the little things.

He didn’t say it out loud, but even he couldn’t deny; Caius had a refined taste in interiors. Everything in the house still looked expensive, thoughtful, and powerful.

Then, something outside caught his attention. Through the large window, he saw someone sitting in the garden. It was Caius.

Adonis frowned slightly. He had expected to see a sick man; someone hooked to machines, maybe still lying in bed. But what he saw instead was his brother, upright and calm, sitting in the garden like he had no care in the world.

"He looks fine," Adonis muttered. "Why does he need a specialist?"

Heather didn’t answer. She just turned and led them through the house, straight to the garden where Caius was.

She sat beside him, her movements were natural and protective. She gestured to the seat across from them for Adonis to take.

"What brings you here, Adonis?" Caius asked, his voice calm.

Adonis gave a small smile. "Can’t a man check in on his younger brother once in a while?"

Heather scoffed under her breath. "Bullshit."

Caius, trying to keep the moment light, added, "Heather tells me you took over while I was out cold."

"Someone had to step up," Adonis replied smoothly. "We couldn’t let the company go under because of one man."

"But you should’ve offered support," Heather cut in.

Adonis turned and stared at her, his expression was colder now. "Caius, you know how things get with the company. You barely have time to breathe, let alone sit around in hospitals."

"That’s still no excuse," Heather eyed.

"I don’t expect you to understand," Adonis said, waving the comment off. He turned back to Caius. "How are you feeling now?"

"Apart from broken ribs and a wrecked knee?" Caius gave a dry smile. "Recovering."

Heather gently placed her hand between his. "He’s actually doing better than expected."

Adonis frowned. "He was discharged only two days ago, wasn’t he?" His eyes shifted slightly, like he was trying to piece something together. He knew Heather wanted to make Caius seem strong, but the faster recovery facade wasn’t adding up in his mind. Something felt... off. His eyes landed on her hands entwined in his.

"You two seem to be getting along. Last time I checked, Heather wanted to ruin you."

Caius turned to look at Heather. "Did she now?"

"You don’t remember?"

"Oh, no. He’s just... shocked I’ve changed so much. " Her grip around his tightened. "You see, I learned to forgive him. Because I love him so much. He is my husband and the father of my son after all." She faked a grin, revealing her perfect teeth.

"Things changed pretty fast." Adonis sneered.

"Would you like some tea?" Heather offered quickly, trying to shift the focus.

"I don’t mind," Adonis answered, still watching them both carefully.

Heather gave a small nod to the maid standing in the corner. The maid poured the tea without a word and handed it to Adonis, then stepped away again.

"Lily keeps asking about you," Adonis said as he lifted the cup. "You know she’s been out of the country for a while. I wasn’t sure what to tell her."

Heather looked at Caius sharply. She hadn’t told him about his sisters; Lily, Lola, and Lila. It hadn’t seemed important yet. And she thought, foolishly, that Adonis wouldn’t bring them up. He never got along with them. But apparently, he was the only one they could reach.

Caius turned to look at her, still a bit confused. She mouthed silently, I’m sorry.

"H-how are Lily, Lola, and Lila?" Heather asked awkwardly. She made sure to say the names slowly and clearly, hoping Caius would catch them and remember something useful.

"Yes," Caius added quickly. "How are the girls?"

Adonis raised an eyebrow at that. The way they said it, the weird pause, the stiff phrasing; it was strange. "They’re doing quite... well."

"Um, I don’t usually say this to people’s faces," Heather said suddenly, rising from her seat. "But I just don’t like you. And I think you should leave now. Like I said before, we have a doctor’s appointment."

Adonis glared at her as he stood up, placing his cup gently on the table.

"What’s the rush?"

"We’re seeing the specialist in just a few..." She looked at her watch. "Minutes. I’m really sorry. Next time, maybe give us a call first. We’ll meet somewhere more convenient."

She smiled again. That same fake smile.

Adonis straightened his cuffs and let out a short breath through his nose. "Right. Doctor’s appointment." He repeated like he already knew it was a lie.

"Say hello to Lilith, Lila, and Lola for me."

Heather blinked.

Adonis paused. "Excuse me?"

"I said, say hello to Lily, Lola, and Lilith from me."

Heather almost choked. She gave a nervous laugh and said quickly, "Darling, I think you mean Lily. Sometimes he gets names mixed up. He even calls me Feather." She laughed again, but it was tighter this time.

Adonis stared awkwardly at her. "That’s just... diabolical."

Heather tried to wave it off. "You know Caius," she said quickly. "Let me walk you to the door."

"I think I know my own way around."

"It’s only the nicest thing to do," she replied, walking ahead.

As they approached the garden entrance, Adonis suddenly stopped. "You’re kicking me out and you call that nice?"

"We have an appointment. "

"I heard you the first hundred times you said it. But I don’t know, it all feels like... what’s that word you always use?" Adonis tilted his head slightly. "Bullshit."

"But it’s true." Heather faked another smile.

He turned his head slightly, not looking directly at either of them.

"You know," he said slowly, "Caius... do you still have that pendant? The one my birth mother gave you?"

Heather froze for a moment. Birth mother? She turned her head toward Caius. He was watching her now, clearly just as lost.

He never told her about that. She didn’t even know he knew the birth mother.

Caius glanced at her, searching for help. She gave a small shrug. Cause she was just as confused as he was.

"Of course I do," Caius replied carefully.

Adonis raised an eyebrow. "The pendant my birth mother gave you?"

There was something different in his tone now. He wasn’t asking to be reminded. It sounded almost like he was confirming something, rather than asking.

No.