The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Daphne realized. She should have stayed calm. Not to act rashly. But how could she stay calm when Garrett asked a completely unexpected question? Daphne was shocked. And the surprise was clearly visible on her face, as her eyes widened and one hand went up to her mouth.

Daphne knew that her reaction was too late. Especially with one word her tongue couldn’t hold back.

“What?”

All of Daphne’s reflexes had provided Garrett with an answer. And Daphne knew she couldn’t deny it. In the end, all she could do was close her eyes as her hand slowly descended. Her fingers clenched in her lap.

“How do you know it was me who did this?”

Garrett couldn’t say that he’d seen Carolus’ name pop up on Dirk’s phone screen during his visit. He didn’t want to take the risk for the two middle-aged men.

So, Garrett smiled. And seeing that, Daphne knew she wouldn’t get an answer to that particular question.

“It doesn’t matter how I know, grandma,” Garrett said. “But there’s only one thing I want to know. Why?”

Garrett looked at Daphne. With a gentle look, like that of a grandson to his grandmother.

“Why did you keep me from knowing what really happened to Dad and Grandpa? Is there something I’m not supposed to know?”

Daphne felt her chest tighten. She struggled to breathe as question after question cornered her.

“That’s enough, Garrett,” Daphne shook her head. “You should rest. Don’t think too much.”

But Garrett didn’t back down. He stood firm. Persisted.

“Nana, please. What really happened? Is there something behind Dad and Grandpa’s deaths?”

As Garrett held his ground, Daphne did the same. She seemed unwilling to answer Garrett’s questions.

“Let’s finish this conversation, Garrett. I am tired. I want to rest. And you, please go back to your room.”

Daphne stood up. But before she could take a step, Garrett grabbed her hand.

“I’m begging you, Nana. Tell me what happened,” Garrett said again. “I know Grandpa and Dad’s deaths weren’t ordinary. Especially with what happened to me a few days ago.”

Daphne’s face seemed to change. Harder with a different look.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I need to know what really happened, Nana. And more than that, I want to know who is responsible for those deaths.”

Daphne took a deep breath. Garrett blinked. His gaze fell on Daphne’s hand, which he was holding.

There was no mistaking it. The grandmotherly figure that had always seemed strong and unshakable trembled. Followed by a slowly spreading coldness over her skin.

“Nana.”

Daphne swallowed. She tried to smile. But there was something strange about the smile. It seemed suppressed.

“Why do you want to know, Garrett?”

Even Daphne’s voice trembled. That made Garrett stop.

“Even if something happened behind her death…”

A faint fog appeared in Daphne’s eyes. Barely visible to Garrett as it was obscured by the lenses of her glasses.

“… does it have something to do with you?”

Garrett fell silent. Not only because of Daphne’s attitude, but also because of the sharpness of her question.

“Haven’t you always thought of them as your grandfather and father?” It was true. But for some reason it felt wrong when Daphne accused him like that.

“Nana.”

“This has nothing to do with you, right? So, act like you always do, Garrett. Don’t act like they’re important in your life. Don’t act like you care about them.”

Garrett’s hand dropped, releasing Daphne from his grip. Giving her the opportunity to walk away. She walked away from Garrett, biting her lower lip, clenching her hands tightly, trying to hold on as best she could.

When Garrett finally left Daphne’s room, Regina entered immediately. She approached Daphne, who was standing in front of the window, motionless, not moving an inch.

“Madam.”

But Daphne remained silent. And that was a signal for Regina. Finally, she left again, leaving Daphne alone. For she knew that this was what Daphne needed.

Time and solitude, two things that would always give Daphne strength. Living in solitude for so long had been her source of strength. But this time it seemed different.

Clutching her hands tightly to her chest, Daphne let the tears flow. There were no sobs. Just tears flowing freely. Forming a faint stream on Daphne’s cheeks. Rolling endlessly. Before falling off.

*

Elice could sense that something was different at the dinner table that night. For a category of dinner together after Garrett’s return from the hospital, the atmosphere created was not what she had expected. It felt cold.

Sure, there was some conversation. But all the words spoken seemed devoid of emotion. Cold. Hollow. And that made Elice wonder.

Was something going on?

After making sure Garrett took his medicine, she massaged his hand. Looked into his eyes. And noticed that it was the same look she’d seen in Daphne’s eyes earlier.

“Is something wrong, Garrett?”

Garrett blinked. His focus, which had been elsewhere, shifted to Elice.

“What?”

Elice continued to massage Garrett’s hand. Maybe the massage didn’t mean much to Garrett. To be honest, Elice wasn’t very good at it either. But there was a closeness when she did it.

“I feel like something is different with you and Nana tonight,” Elice said carefully. “You both don’t seem like yourselves.”

Garrett let out a long sigh. And that was an implicit admission that Elice could easily pick up on. Her suspicion wasn’t wrong.

“What’s going on? Did you two have a fight?”

Garrett shook his head. He tried to smile, although Elice knew for sure that Garrett was forcing it.

“There’s nothing wrong,” Garrett replied quietly. “We’re fine.”

Elice decided not to push any further. Instead, she changed the subject to something else, something lighter and more pleasant. But what she did didn’t have the desired effect.

Garrett might have reacted to Elice’s words, smiled at her and looked into her eyes. But the emptiness couldn’t be ignored.

When the main light was finally turned off, Garrett tried to sleep for real. Hoping that the darkness would bring him peace. But Daphne’s words echoed in his head.

The accusation felt like it had Garrett cornered. But wasn’t that normal? When they refused Norah and Daphne’s presence, wasn’t it normal for Garrett to act as if they didn’t exist?

But why was there a pain squeezing his heart? A feeling of suffocation that made Garrett struggle to breathe? He felt restless in the chaos and confinement that pressed upon him.

“Garrett, are you okay?”

*