Chapter 311 Epilogue: Alden I

    b+2 /bBonus

    “Alden, does Alyssa not like me?” Luna asked, her voice small and tentative.

    When Luna first arrived at the Graves Manor, she was just a frail little girl, prone to illness and quick to tears.

    Alden had never been fond of clingy girls. Even with his cousin Alyssa, he kept his distance.

    But something about Luna’s tiny, fragile face stirred a protective instinct in him.

    “No way, Alyssa will definitely warm up to you. And if she doesn’t, I’ve got your back, okay?”

    Luna’s teary eyes sparkled, her voice soft and sweet. “Okay! Alden, I like you best of all.”

    From that moment, Alden treated Luna better than his real

    sister.

    Everyone in their circle knew how fiercely Alden looked out for Luna.

    Once, someone sneered at Luna, “You’re just a foster kid in the Graves family. What’s so special about you?”

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    &

    Luna’s voice trembled as she murmured, “I’m not acting special.”

    Alden stepped forward, shielding her. “Luna’s not just my foster sister–she’s the treasure of my family.

    “Anyone who messes with her answers to me!”

    After that, no one dared speak ill of Luna again.

    b+2 /bBonus

    Whatever Alyssa had, Alden made sure Luna got the same.

    He truly spoiled her as though she were his own family.

    By twenty, Alden was already cutting his teeth in the family business.

    He quickly became a star, and wherever he went, he would be trailed by admirers.

    On Valentine’s Day, Luna, still in high school, rummaged through his bag and found a stack of love letters. Her eyes reddened instantly.

    “Luna, what’s wrong? Someone giving you a hard time? Tell me, and I’ll handle it,” Alden said, his voice thick with concern.

    Lupa bit her lip, tossing the letters onto the table. “Alden, are 37 you getting a girlfriend?”

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    Alden blinked at the letters, caught off guard. He hadn’t even noticed them piling up, let alone opened them.

    He chuckled softly, “Nah, I’m not dating anyone.”

    His words melted Luna’s tears into a radiant smile.

    Leaning against his shoulder, her voice carried a shy, girlish lilt. “Alden, if you do get a girlfriend someday, will you still be good to me?”

    Without hesitation, Alden replied, “Of course, Luna. I’ll always be good to you.”

    But then, their grandpa, Allen, insisted she be sent abroad.

    “Alden, you and Luna are siblings, and that’s all you’ll ever be,” Allen said firmly.

    Alden’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Grandpa, I’ve always seen her as my sister.”

    Allen snorted, “Is that how siblings act?

    “I don’t want rumors swirling. She’s going abroad, and she’ll be well taken care of. You don’t need to worry about her.

    “But you, Alden–if you don’t start dating, it’ll be hard for Luna 3/11

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    toe back.”

    It was an ultimatum, and Alden knew it.

    After that, Alden started seeing Kaia.

    +2 Bonus

    He knew Kaia, close with his cousin Alyssa, had been nursing a crush on him for years.

    Whenever her wide eyes stole nces at him, he’d pretended

    not to notice.

    Alden couldn’t say he truly liked Kaia, but he didn’t dislike her either.

    Their engagement felt like the natural next step.

    Kaia was different from Luna.

    She was delicate too, but never clingy, never quick to tears. She never clung to his arm, never pouted with childish affection.

    At private gatherings, she’d sit quietly by his side, watching him y cards without a peep.

    One night at a club, Alden caught Kaia stifling yawns, her eyes heavy with sleep. His heart softened unexpectedly.

    4/11

    Let’s call it a night. I’m beat,” he announced, standing.

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    “Mr. Graves, it’s barely ten. You tired already?” someone teased.

    +2 Bonus

    Alden shot them a look. “You can stay and y. I’m leaving.”

    Ignoring their grumbling, he led Kaia out of the club.

    “I’ll drive you home,” he said.

    Kaia’s face lit up with a bright smile, and Alden’s heart skipped a beat.

    “Sounds good,” she said, her voice warm and melodic.

    In that moment, Alden felt a quiet contentment. For the first time, he thought marrying her might not be so bad after all.

    Then she dropped the bomb. Right when he was ready to dive in, Kaia pulled the plug.

    When Lucien and Kaia announced their rtionship, Alden tasted regret for the first time.

    That ce by her side should’ve been his, but he’d let the girl who loved him most slip away.

    Luna’s love was demanding–she’d give an inch and expect a mile in return, if not more.

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    But Kaia? She loved with everything she had. And when that love died, she’d walk away clean, no looking back.

    By the time Alden realized what he’d lost, it was already too

    After Luna’s sudden death, Alden brought his mother, Joanne,

    to live with him abroad.

    He threw himself into work, letting it numb the pain.

    Alden cut off all social ties back home, as if avoiding the news would keep the hurt at bay.

    He knew his regret was useless.

    And he also knew he didn’t deserve Kaia’s love anymore.

    Alden finally understood the ache Lucien must have felt during those years abroad.

    *****

    “Alden, you’re thirty now, and Luna’s been gone a year. How long are you going to stay single for her?” his mother, Joanne, asked, her voiceced with concern.

    A bitter ache settled in Alden’s heart. He hadn’t loved Luna

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    romantically for a long time.

    To him, she’d always been a little sister, nothing more.

    “Mom, I’m just not in the mood. If I married someone randomly, it’d probably end in divorce anyway,” he said, his voice heavy with resignation.

    Joanne tried to reason with him but eventually gave up.

    The overseas business thrived, and one day, unexpectedly, Allen called.

    “Alden, are you thinking ofing back home?” Allen asked.

    By then Alden was thirty–six.

    “Grandpa, I’m doing fine here. You cane visit sometime,” he replied.

    Allen sighed over the phone, “As long as you’re happy. I just worry you’re itoo /ilonely out there. If you meet someone, don’t worry about status. As long as you like her, that’s enough. Life’s better with someone beside you.”

    Alden nodded faintly. “I hear you, Grandpa. When I find her, I’ll bring her home to meet you.”

    7/11

    After hanging up, the car suddenly lurched as the driver

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    mmed on the brakes.

    Alden’s expression sharpened. “What happened?”

    B

    “Mr. Graves, I think I hit someone,” the driver said, panic creeping into his voice.

    b+2 /bBonus

    Alden stayed calm. “Get out and check. Call an ambnce if needed.”

    “Miss, are you alright?” the driver asked, rushing to the girl on the ground.

    “I’m fine, really. My fault for not watching where I was going. Sorry for scaring you,” she said, brushing herself off.

    Alden stepped out, ready to ask if she needed a hospital, but

    froze.

    Her features, her face–nothing like Kaia’s.

    But when she smiled, that same heart–fluttering warmth from years ago washed over him.

    “Here’s my number,” Alden said, handing her his card. “If you feel offter, give me a call.”

    The girl blinked, then smiled, taking it, “Thanks, that’s kind of

    you.

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    XXXXX

    Alden stepped off the ne, his wife by his side.

    “Alden, what if your grandpa doesn’t like me?” she asked, her voice tinged with nerves.

    Alden smiled reassuringly, “He will. Grandpa said as long as I’m happy, that’s enough.”

    They’d already married abroad.

    This trip was just to introduce her to the family.

    Alden held his wife’s hand as they climbed into the car headed

    for the Graves Manor.

    It had been six or seven years since he’d been back, and the familiarity felt strange.

    When he pushed open the door, the butler, Dn, looked

    stunned.

    “Mr. Alden Graves, you’re back!”

    Alden smiled faintly, “Yeah, I brought my wife to visit my grandpa.”

    9/11

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    “What’s all themotion?” Alden asked, noticing the lively atmosphere.

    “Oh, Mr. Lucien Graves is throwing a birthday party for Mrs. Kaia Graves. They just cut the cake,” Dn said with a chuckle.

    Alden tightened his grip on his wife’s hand, steeling himself as he walked inside, only to run into a familiar figure.

    Kaia stepped out for air, and their eyes met unexpectedly.

    Alden forced a natural smile. “Aunt Kaia, happy birthday. I brought my wife to visit Grandpa.”

    Kaia returned a gentle smile. “Your grandpa’s inside. Perfect timing. Come have some cake.”

    Alden’s wife nodded shyly. “Hello.”

    Their exchange was brief, and Alden led his wife upstairs.

    Three dayster, he left the country again.

    “Your uncle and aunt have such a sweet rtionship,” his wife remarked, her voice wistful.

    “Will we be like that too?” she asked.

    16:37

    Alden gazed out at the clouds, his voice soft. “Yeah, we’ll be

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    just as happy.”

    Deep down, he knew then–unless fate demanded otherwise, he would never return again.

    He knew Lucien would take good care of Kaia. Everything would be as it should be, and there was just no reason for him to go back.