Chapter 21:

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Colton, who had been spoiled since birth, had never experienced anything like this. Keanu, having recovered impressively after his hospital stay, wielded his cane with precision, striking the tender spots where the pain would linger the longest.

Colton’s face drained of color, while Allison stood by, as indifferent as if the entire scene were unfolding in a distant land, far removed from her concerns.

“Get out! From this moment forward, neither of you is to set foot in this mansion again without my permission!” Keanu bellowed, his voice echoing through the room as he shoved them both outside. Once the door slammed shut, he collapsed onto the sofa, his chest heaving with heavy breaths.

Allison, unmoved by the storm that had just passed, calmly poured him a glass of water and handed it to him. “Keanu, mind your health. That cane of yours has been with you for years. It’d be a shame if it broke.”

Outside, Colton struggled to stand, pulling Melany along as he staggered forward. He hadn’t even caught his breath before Allison’s dismissive words, carried by the wind, nearly made him stumble in fury.

Did Allison seriously think he was worth less than a cane? Keanu, now sinking into the weight of it all, spoke with a quieter voice, filled with regret. “I’m sorry for you.” After decades of navigating the choppy waters of business, never shedding a tear for anything or anyone, Keanu found himself feeling genuine remorse. He had raised an ungrateful soul, a disappointment who had not only betrayed his benefactor but stained the reputation of the Stevens family.

“Are you really never coming back?” Keanu asked quietly, his voice strained under the heaviness of the question.

Allison turned toward him, her expression a mix of sadness and certainty. In her mind, there was no debt to be settled between her and the Stevens family.

This was simply the closing of a chapter.

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“You know how I am,” she began, choosing her words carefully to avoid hurting him. “I’ve always hated unfinished business. Colton and I? That’s in the past. But you… I’ll always think of you as my grandfather. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll be there.”

Her words were both a promise and a farewell.

Keanu, understanding all too well, sighed deeply, knowing her mind was set. After exchanging a few more heartfelt words, Keanu reluctantly saw her to the door. He watched her disappear into the garden, her grace never faltering.

Her figure blended with the greenery, and he was struck by how beautiful and strong she was. All he could do was release a sorrowful sigh. “What a tangled web we weave.”

Outside the mansion, Melany clung to Colton’s arm, her eyes filled with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Colton. This is all my fault. If it weren’t for me, your grandfather wouldn’t be this angry.”

“It’s not on you,” Colton reassured her, stroking her hair gently. “Grandpa’s got a temper. The more time we spend with him, the more he’ll see who you really are.” Even as Colton spoke, his mind began to wander.

Though Melany was the woman he loved, the one he had fought for, his thoughts kept drifting back to Allison. Her distant, serene demeanor stirred a growing unease within him.

Allison had always maintained a courteous distance from his mother as well.

The woman who had once shared his life now seemed like a shadow, slipping further away with each passing day. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was slipping through his fingers like sand through an hourglass.

But no, Melany was the woman he had always loved, the one he had fought so hard for.

He held her tighter, then took her hand and led her forward.

“We’ll head back to the mansion once Grandpa cools off. He’s stubborn, but he’ll come around. In the meantime, let’s go back to the villa. I’ve had your old room cleaned and ready for you.”

Colton had no idea what awaited him. As they neared the entrance of the villa, he spotted a crew of men in black suits clearing out the place.

“One more load, and we’re done!” a worker shouted.

Colton stopped in his tracks, his mind struggling to process what was happening. His eyes followed as everything connected to Allison was removed.

They were taking it all. Elegant vases, clothes she had designed for him, even the wallpaper from three years ago. Not a single trace of her remained.

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