Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 232

Chapter 232: The Night After the Storm
Standing opposite the windows of his bedroom, Ruediger threw his gaze out. He looked at the sky, now painted in a blend of soft blues and pale yellows.

The morning sun had just peeked over the distant horizon, signaling the beginning of a brand new day.

At six-fifteen, the city had just rose from its slumber. Ruediger saw more vehicles pass through the main streets, while the passersby rushed on the pedestrian streets.

Ruediger shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He was ready to head out with Lariette, only waiting for her now. The lack of luster on his face showed he was still deeply entangled with the events of yesterday.

Ruediger clenched his jaw slightly, trying to push away the sting of guilt that clawed at him. Despite having been hearing the accusations for decades, there were times when he would be terribly bothered by them.

Especially… when she was also forced to hear them.

Chairman Alvord’s words haunted Ruediger, the ones he heard through the muffled phone call and when they faced each other.

“Why tie yourself to a man who brings nothing but disgrace?”

“Why would you want to be with someone who killed his own mother?”

“Lies? You’ve convinced yourself with that? That you weren’t the reason your mother died?”

Each of his estranged father’s words only cut deeper into his heart, tearing fresh wounds over the barely healed scars.

When Ruediger received the call from Lariette, he thought it was nothing much. He began to feel uneasy when she didn’t answer him, but…

The familiar voice of Robert Donelly—his father’s right-hand man—twisted Ruediger’s gut. Thinking something was happening, he kept quiet without ending the call.

Then…

When his father’s own voice rang from the end of the line, albeit muffled, his blood ran cold as dread surged from the depth of his heart.

Without a second thought, Ruediger rushed out of the apartment, following Lariette’s live location. He kept the phone closed to his ear, barely catching the heated exchange between her and his father.

He was scared.

He was scared of what she would think of him after hearing the accusations, but…

“No. I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t believe you, and I never will.”

“You accused your own son. I believe that you’ve spent so many years blaming Ruediger that you can’t see the truth anymore.”

Even when Ruediger was frantically running to get to Lariette, he didn’t mistake the confidence in her voice. She steadfastly stood against his father, despite this being the first time they met.

Her bravery, including his belief in him, pushed him forward.

‘I should stop thinking about this, but…’

Exhaling a sigh, Ruediger rubbed his face. His mind wandered to the time when Lariette hugged him near the playground, and when she did the same after he treated her wrist.

Also…

When she leaned on him on the couch when the dawn had yet to break.

When Lariette drifted to sleep, with her head on his shoulder, a sense of calm slowly spread its vines around Ruediger’s restless heart.

He quietly peeked at her, and then smiled for the first time after the unforeseen encounter with his father yesterday. Before he realized it, he also fell asleep, only to be woken by the alarm less than one hour later.

Despite that, he felt better than the previous hours.

Lariette’s silent but unwavering presence was unlike anything Ruediger had known before. He had Madeline and Felicia by his side, as did Nathaniel, but… the feelings were different.

She also hadn’t pressed him to know the details behind the vicious slander. And, for that, he was grateful.

Ruediger knew that one day, he had to tell Lariette the truth about his past because it was linked to their first encounter decades ago. Regardless, he didn’t expect she would hear a part of it this way.

‘I better go out now.’

Turning away from the windows, Ruediger headed out of the bedroom. He waited for Lariette in the living room, a little part of his heart anxious to face her after acting all needy since yesterday.

“Eddy! Let’s go!”

A cheerful Lariette appeared not long after Ruediger sat on the couch, dressed in a pastel blue shirt and light yellow A-line skirt. He quickly jumped to his feet, the smile on his lips was awkward.

“Yes… Let’s go.”

Lariette simply smiled at Ruediger despite seeing the sheepish look on his face. Side by side, they walked out of the apartment, heading downstairs to the streets.

This morning, neither of them spoke much as they walked down the familiar sidewalks. The vehicles sped down the main roads, occasionally slowed as they were met with congested traffic.

The scent of coffee being brewed and freshly baked butter pastries wafted from nearby bakeries. Lariette tugged Ruediger’s sleeve the nearer they were to the cafe.

“What should we get?” Lariette tilted her chin up, smiling at Ruediger as she adjusted the straps of her backpack, “I’m thinking of getting a croissant sandwich.”

Curling his lips, Ruediger chuckled hearing the anticipation in Lariette’s voice. His heart was a lot lighter now, despite some of the heaviness still remaining.

“A croissant sandwich sounds good. I wonder if they have bagels.”

Soon, Lariette and Ruediger reached the cafe. It was small, yet looking so charming. The name was carved in elegant cursive on the wooden sign above the entrance.

Through the large glass windows, Lariette and Ruediger saw a few patrons enjoying their breakfasts. A few others flocked to the rack where bread and pastries were displayed.

Lariette pushed the door open. The bell chimed once they stepped in. The scent of roasted coffee beans and buttered pastries welcomed them.

“Good morning!” one of the waiters approached them, smiling, “Table for two?”

Lariette and Ruediger smiled back. She answered, “Yes, please.”

“Please come this way.”

The waiter led Lariette and Ruediger to a table by the window. The golden morning light streamed through the glass, illuminating the inside of the cafe.

“Oh~ They have varieties,” Lariette mused once she looked at the menu book handed to her by the waiter. Pushing it toward Ruediger, she said, “I’ll get the crispy chicken croissant sandwich. They have bagels too.”

Ruediger took the menu book, his eyes scanning the colorful pages. Yesterday’s event hindered his appetite, but he didn’t want to make her worry if he didn’t eat.

Last night, he barely finished dinner. She gently urged him to eat more, but he couldn’t stomach the rest.

“I’ll get the spicy egg mayo bagel sandwich,” said Ruediger after a moment of thinking.

“That sounds yummy too~” Lariette grinned, her face beaming under the lights, “Can I try some? Let’s trade. I’ll give you my croissant too.”

Ruediger chuckled in helplessness, he nodded, “Let’s do that.”

He didn’t know how much the gentle smile on his lips meant to her. For the first time since yesterday’s confrontation, his countenance lost some of the hanging dark clouds.

Propping her elbows up on the table, Lariette looked at Ruediger.

As the morning sunlight poured through the cafe window, his emerald eyes gleamed like polished gems. The rays caught in his crimson locks, turning it into wine and molten copper.

“Maybe we should make this our new routine? How about having breakfast here once a week?”

Lariette’s smile softened seeing the slight fluster in Ruediger’s eyes, before he nodded with a sheepish grin.

“I’d love that.”

Another routine with her? He wouldn’t ever hesitate.