Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Out of His Selfish Desire
‘What did he find?’

Narrowing her eyes, Lariette replayed Declan’s words in her mind. They piqued her curiosity but, she didn’t want to push him for the answers.

Declan had already left Azure Bay. He, alongside Rafael, Alaric and Celina, followed Jonathan and Samantha back to the mainland. Stephanie was included.

Samantha and Alaric were still steadfastly on Stephanie’s side while Jonathan put the entire blame on her. The man’s fondness for her, the one he deemed his beloved daughter before, seemed to disappear within a day.

As for Declan, Rafael and Celine, they didn’t condone Stephanie’s affair yet, they didn’t go out of their way to make the issue worse.

Lying on one side, Lariette hugged a pillow close to her chest. Her silky strands sprawled on the soft pink pillow sheet, creating a stark contrast.

‘I think people won’t stop talking about the wedding yet. Will she join tea parties or banquets this soon? I doubt it.’

Blinking, Lariette couldn’t help but think about it. She knew how much Stephanie loved socializing. It served as the chance for her to flaunt everything good in her life.

Her grand monthly allowance from her parents? Yes.

Her limited edition luxury bags, shoes and clothes? Yes.

Her engagement to the heir of the Silvera family? Yes.

Those were among the things Stephanie loved bragging about.

Despite not seeking any news, Lariette still heard about Stephanie’s situation when the latter was still on the island. She spent most of her time in the villa as if she was trying to hide from the shame she caused herself.

“I bumped into Fridah and their clique. I thought they’d left actually. I heard them talking trash about Stephanie.”

“Hehe~ You should see how they looked when they saw me. Even ghosts won’t be as pale as them. So much for a close friendship they boasted before, huh?”

Madeline told Lariette that after coming back from the beach two days ago. Her friend went for a stroll in the tourist area, causing her to cross paths with Stephanie’s so-called friends.

Madeline’s story about Fridah, Amber and the others badmouthed Stephanie didn’t surprise Lariette.

She didn’t want to be overly skeptical but, Stephanie and the ladies’ friendship never sounded genuine. A sense of jealousy and competitiveness often lingered around them.

Even after leaving school for years, they acted like immature mean girls.

Fridah, Amber and the others fawned over Stephanie’s beauty and wealth when she was around but, trash-talked her behind her back. Their behavior was truly garbage.

They were jealous of Stephanie’s engagement to Matthias. They also touched on the issue of her being a fake heiress yet so beloved by the Elsher family.

Without a doubt, they secretly celebrated Stephanie’s broken wedding dream with Matthias.

They might even stay away from her if they wanted to avoid being gossiped about by the people in high society.

The Elsher family’s fake heiress was jilted at the altar by the Silvera family’s heir!

That topic, including Stephanie’s affair with Leon, would run rampant for a long time.

‘Either way, it’s not my problem.’

Closing her eyes, Lariette’s eyelashes fluttered before she gradually relaxed. She hadn’t forgotten her wish to follow Ruediger to the grocery store this late afternoon.

This would be the first time they shopped together after getting married. Somehow, she really looked forward to it.

As she drifted to sleep, her quiet breath faintly echoed in the bedroom. She didn’t know that the man in the room across the hallway shared the same thoughts as her.

Ruediger was already on his bed after changing into comfortable lounge wear. His crimson locks, now freed from the hair tie, sprawled on the pillow.

‘I should tell Lettie about Nate’s parents. Hurm…’

Ruediger had forgotten to inform Lariette about the dinner invitation by Chairman Faulkner and Mrs. Faulkner. Nathaniel texted him just now, reminding him about it.

“You’ve felt better, don’t you?”

Nathaniel asked, referring to Ruediger’s phone call a few days ago. The latter caught a hint of teasing from his friend’s voice.

“Yes. I feel better now,” was his answer to his friend.

Faint chuckles slipped out of Ruediger’s lips. Raking his fingers through his locks, he couldn’t help but feel a little ashamed for being so scared all of a sudden.

When Ruediger heard Lariette recalling her childhood friend, his heart was almost suspended from beating. He tried not to panic or worry as she continued talking about him.

Ruediger would never blame Lariette if she misremembered anything, or made wrong assumptions.

Aside from accounting for the fact that she was very young at that time, he also didn’t really tell her the truth.

How could he?

He didn’t want to scare away the little girl who insisted on befriending him even when he tried pushing her away.

He didn’t want to get close to her despite yearning for companionship for her own safety.

But…

In the end, out of his selfish desire, he allowed her to stay near.

Lariette might no longer remember what happened two decades ago but, Ruediger’s memory of that time was still vivid.

A warm happiness enveloped his heart before he was yanked back to the cold and harsh reality.

‘I’m being selfish once again. It’s just… there’s no danger around me anymore.’

Ruediger stared at the ceiling, his emerald eyes gleaming with longing for the past, mixed with hope for the future. Despite everything, he knew the present was more important.

Without embracing his present, he most likely won’t be able to realize the future he wished for.

Exhaling a sigh, Ruediger closed his eyes. He didn’t want to dampen his mood by being too worried about every single thing.

Now that he decided to approach her in the open, something he used to be hesitant about, he had to be prepared for various possibilities.

Lariette might accept or reject him thus, Ruediger hoped to make full use of his time with her. He also wished to open up to her someday.

Only when their relationship was deeper than the one they had right now.