Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Mr. Absolute Control
<.Declan and Celina’s residence.>

The golden hues of the summer afternoon streamed through the frosted bathroom window. The light cast soft, shimmering patterns on the marble tiles.

The gentle lapping of the warm bathwater echoed in the bathroom. The scent of lavender and citrus wafted in the air, coming from the large, freestanding bathtub.

Petals of red and white roses floated on the surface, brushing against Celina’s skin as she leaned against Declan’s chest.

Sighing softly, Celina tilted her head slightly, her cheek brushing against Declan’s collarbone, “You’re so quiet. Still thinking about Phanie, en?”

Declan lowered his eyes, meeting Celina’s concerned eyes. He placed one arm on the bathtub’s edge while the other rested loosely around her waist, his fingers tracing lazy circles on her skin.

“It’s hard not to, Cee,” Declan let out a chuckle, sounding more like a sigh, “Everything is still a mess. I’m just thankful that Matthias hadn’t done anything else aside… what happened at the wedding.”

Declan hadn’t just focused on trapping Leon for the past few weeks, but also on dealing with the Silvera family. He reached out for Matthias, hoping to salvage the little trust the Silvera family had in the Elshers.

Despite knowing Stephanie was at fault, Declan still had to think of the Elsher family’s reputation.

“I don’t care about anything else, Declan. Keep your sister away from me. Don’t tempt me to ruin her beyond what I’ve done.”

Matthias sternly declared that he had not even an ounce of sympathy toward Stephanie. He also warned Declan not to push this issue further, lest he would retaliate worse than before.

Declan could only apologize to Matthias again before promising Stephanie wouldn’t bother the man anymore. After all, it was undeniable that her actions caused this marriage arrangement to be broken.

Celina exhaled softly. Turning in Declan’s embrace, she looked up, her fingers brushing his dark, damp strands away from his forehead.

“This issue has troubled you so much. Dec, my darling, you’ve done so well. I hope you know that.”

Celina had been watching how hard Declan worked to mend this chaotic situation caused by Stephanie and Leon. Her heart ached witnessing how much stress he was under.

Despite knowing Declan was fully capable of handling this issue, Celina couldn’t help but still worry about him. It pained her to see him like this, always someone with a massive burden on his shoulders.

Declan tried to smile, but failed. He grasped the back of Celina’s hand that was stroking his face, turning to kiss her palm.

“I just… never expected any of this. Also, Lari almost became a victim because Leon was obsessed with Phanie. I know… I know that I failed them both.”

Thinking about Stephanie and Lariette churned Declan’s stomach, both for different reasons. As the eldest, he felt responsible for not guiding and caring for his younger siblings better.

“I know it’s easy for me to say this, but…” Celina smiled faintly. She pulled her hand from Declan’s grasp, gently patting his damp chest, “Please take it easy. The hardest part is behind you now.”

The high society still gossiped about Stephanie, Matthias and Leon, but the situation was better than before.

Matthias didn’t intend to pursue this issue further as long as the Elsher family didn’t push him to return to Stephanie or demand any compensation from him.

Leon had been arrested after trying to coerce Stephanie into marrying him, including trying to get Lariette violated by two men because of his twisted plan.

Stephanie was currently abroad with Samantha. Even though Declan had to force her to abide by his arrangement, she had better stay away from the city for the time being.

And…

Tilting her head, Celina asked softly, “Have you asked Lari? Dec, you wanna invite her for a meal sometime, right?”

Declan mentioned a few times to Celina about inviting Lariette, also her new husband Ruediger, to have a meal together. It was evident how much he seriously hoped to mend their broken sibling relationship.

Declan let out a faint laugh, lacking its humor, “I haven’t. I know that she won’t like it. So, I… don’t dare to ask. I texted her just now. She hasn’t replied. Maybe… she won’t.”

Declan was aware that Lariette was still wary toward him and Rafael. Even though it hurt him to receive such a gesture, he knew that they deserved such indifferent treatment from her.

After a decade’s worth of indifference, everyone would be cautious at the first signs of compassion from the people who used to mistreat them previously.

Seeing the disappointed look on Declan’s face, Celina leaned up. She pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. She chuckled when he returned the gesture with a kiss on her temple.

“It’s good that you don’t pressure her to reconcile with you. You can try to get closer to her, I won’t stop you from doing that.”

Celina paused, hesitating for a moment. She knew Declan would be sad to hear what she would say next, but she had to do it.

“Just… please remember that it’s within her rights whether to accept your gesture or not. Including your apology.”

Declan pursed his lips, understanding what Celina meant. She had reminded him about it before. Letting out a suppressed sigh, he nodded twice.

“I know, Cee. I will try, but… I won’t ever blame her if she refuses me.”

Being groomed as the Elsher family’s successor, including being in the position of power since young, made Declan someone who wanted everything to be within his control.

It was hard for Declan to take a step back and assess his flaws. He used to argue many times with Celina, who never shied away from pointing them out, including how he mistreated Lariette.

Fortunately, Declan began seeing things from different perspectives. Celina couldn’t help but be proud of him.

Quirking her lips into a smile, Celina raised her arms, encircling Declan’s neck. The droplets fell from her skin, dripping on his figure.

Celina said teasingly, her tone lighthearted, “Believe in yourself, Mr. Absolute Control. Didn’t you used to say, nothing will ever go wrong with your plans?”

Declan groaned in mock offense. Wrapping his arms around Celina’s waist, he pulled her closer, “Still with that nickname for me, huh? I’m not a control freak anymore. Don’t you believe me?”

“Hahaha! No! Declan Elsher is still overbearing!”

Declan smiled in helplessness as Celina began to tease him. She used to call him that before, saying the nickname befitting someone as headstrong as him.

Being unyielding was one of the qualities Declan had to possess for his position. Unfortunately, it made it harder to see others’ perspectives, be they the situations related to work or his personal life.

“Still, I’m better than before, right?” Declan asked, arching his brows.

“Hehe, yes~ You’re much better now.”

Celina began peppering Declan’s face with little kisses, earning laughter from him. But her question after they fooled around stunned him.

“I wanted to ask this before, but I couldn’t find the right time. Dec, was the switch that happened between Lari and Phanie really an accidental one?”

It should be accidental, but… what if it was not?