Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 230

Chapter 230: Can I Hug You Again?
The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet area. The crisp autumn air blew, gently rustling the leaves that had yet to change colors.

Lariette didn’t know how long she had been hugging Ruediger. His arms around her were tight as if he didn’t want to let go. His body trembled, but she heard no cries.

‘I never thought… my first meeting with Chairman Alvord would turn out this way.’

Despite not being in Ruediger’s shoes, the accusations from Chairman Alvord was damning enough. Lariette couldn’t imagine the extent of Ruediger’s pain over the past decades—from being blamed for his mother’s unfortunate death.

“My mother died protecting me, her son. And you, my father, have never forgiven me for surviving.”

A pang of ache struck Lariette’s heart as she inevitably recalled what Ruediger told Chairman Alvord before. The deep anguish in his voice carried the rawness of his pain and grief.

Pursing her lips, Lariette gently patted Ruediger’s back. She couldn’t think of doing anything else aside from giving him a warm hug.

The merry laughter of children echoed from the nearby playground. Through a corner of her eyes, Lariette saw more children begin filling in the area after their school hours ended.

Fortunately, the place where Ruediger abruptly stopped walking earlier was not the main pedestrian walkways. They were on a small trail on the other side of the playground.

Still, she thought it was better if they left this place.

“Eddy?” Lariette whispered, gently calling Ruediger, “How do you feel now? Wanna go back?”

Ruediger stiffened once Lariette called him. He slowly straightened up, awkwardly releasing his arms from her figure.

“…I feel better,” Ruediger replied, his voice hoarse, “Yes. Let’s go back.”

Lariette tilted her chin up to look at Ruediger. The whites in his glazed eyes reddened. Not even one drop of tear left a trail on his face. Still, his quiet misery flared another pain in her heart.

Ruediger exhaled. He stuttered as he began to apologize “Lettie… I’m sorry for what happened. My… my father… he had put you on a tough spot, didn’t he?”

Smiling faintly, Lariette reached for both of Ruediger’s hands. Indeed, her much smaller palms couldn’t cover the entirety of his hands.

“Don’t say sorry, Eddy. It’s never your fault,” Lariette squeezed Ruediger’s hands, hoping to give him some reassurance, “I was surprised when he appeared. But it’s his fault. Not you, Eddy.”

Ruediger said nothing, unable to think of anything else aside from condemning himself. Lariette recognized the look of self-blame. She had seen it on herself countless times in the past.

“Come, Eddy,” Lariette’s smile softened, changing the subject, “Let’s go home.”

“…yes. Home.”

Lariette and Ruediger walked side by side, their steps slow. She held his left hand, her grip firm but gentle. Neither of them spoke yet, the silence wasn’t suffocating.

Lariette had just realized that Chairman Alvord, or more specifically his driver, didn’t bring her too far from the school area. She rarely came to this part of the neighborhood, but it wouldn’t take long to reach the apartment.

‘That man… how dare he?’

The blaze of anger in Lariette’s heart hadn’t been fully extinguished. She was still beyond upset as she unwillingly recalled the heated conversation with Chairman Alvord.

Instead of cherishing the son who his wife died protecting, the man marched straight to get the worst father’s award by pushing the pitiful boy away.

As Lariette and Ruediger neared the apartment building, they inwardly felt relief seeing the familiar sight of their home. They needed to be within their safe haven after the previous turmoil.

Ruediger reached the door first. He keyed in the password before pushing it open without a word. Lariette followed, still holding his left hand. The door was shut behind them with a thud.

Ruediger stopped before the elevated platform leading to the inside. He lowered his eyes, staring at Lariette’s right hand that was still holding his left one.

The same one, which wrist he hurt earlier, albeit unintentionally.

Exhaling deeply, Ruediger finally broke the long silence. His gaze wandered from Lariette’s wrist to her face.

“Let me put some ointment on your wrist. Does it hurt much, Lettie?”

Lariette blinked, realizing that she still held Ruediger’s hand. She spread her palm, awkwardly letting the man’s hand go.

“It’s fine, Eddy. Look! I can move my wrist well.”

Lariette quickly demonstrated by randomly flexing her right hand. A sheepish smile was curled on her lips.

Still, Ruediger felt a pang of heartache at the sight of Lariette’s reddened wrist. Even though he didn’t intend to hurt her, he couldn’t help but feel bad, especially after she had to face his estranged father without any warning.

“Let’s get inside,” Ruediger gestured toward the living room, “I’ll treat your wrist.”

“…okay.”

Lariette had no choice but to agree. She didn’t want to fight Ruediger over this simple matter. The evident exhaustion on his face didn’t show any anger he expressed to Chairman Alvord earlier.

After exchanging their shoes for the home slippers, Lariette and Ruediger walked down the hallway. They headed to the kitchen first to wash their hands before they headed to the living room.

While Ruediger went to get the first-aid kit, Lariette waited on the couch. Her sapphire eyes trailed after the man’s broad back. Seeing his slightly disheveled hair made her wonder how much he had run to find her.

‘I should just ignore that man, right? If I did that, Eddy… wouldn’t hear what his father said about him.’

Regrets flooded Lariette’s heart as the thought crossed her mind. She was unsure about it, but she believed Ruediger did hear at least some of her heated exchange with Chairman Alvord.

If not, he wouldn’t come running, looking all frantic and enraged.

Soon, Ruediger returned with the first aid kit. Sitting next to Lariette, he said while opening the lid, “Lettie, show me your wrist.”

Lariette extended her hand, supported by her lap. She saw Ruediger uncapped a small jar of ointment. The faint herbal scent lingered in the air as he dipped a cotton bud into the cool balm.

Ruediger held Lariette’s right hand, his touch was careful and gentle. A flicker of guilt glinted in his emerald eyes as he applied the ointment over the faint redness on her wrist.

“Done.”

Ruediger slowly released Lariette’s hand. She flexed her wrist, relishing the cool relief soothing the faint sting. There was still a slight tension in the air between them.

Lariette turned to look at Ruediger whose shoulders slumped as he stared blankly at the carpet. She smiled sadly, knowing that his previous encounter with Chairman Alvord still weighed heavily in his mind.

“…Lettie, thank you.”

“…huh?”

Receiving another thank you from Ruediger, Lariette saw him turning, their eyes locked together. The corners of his lips curled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“For the phone call… and the location,” Ruediger paused, his voice low, “If you didn’t do that, I wouldn’t know he came looking for you. Thank you… for not hiding it from me.”

Ruediger was reviewing Edmund’s report when he received a phone call from Lariette. He thought it was an ordinary call, until he heard the muffled sound of his father’s voice.

Only then did he learn what was currently happening to her.

“But I feel bad…” Lariette sighed softly. She spoke what was in her heart, “If I didn’t do that… you wouldn’t need to hear… whatever that man said about you.”

Ruediger was quiet, seemingly taking his time to register what Lariette said. Parting his lips, he asked hesitantly, “…can I hug you again?”

Lariette smiled, her eyes blurred by the unshed tears, “Yes. You can.”

Once again, she found herself in his embrace.