Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: She Was Not Their Precious Treasure

“Were you actually hoping I wouldn’t ever find out?”

Lariette’s question earned a helpless chuckle from Ruediger. Tapping one finger on the steering wheel, he turned to look at her albeit briefly.

“To be frank, I don’t mind whether you know or not, Lettie,” replied Ruediger, his emerald eyes glinting softly in the dimness of the truck, “You needed blood so, I did what I should.”

Even if the patient wasn’t her, he would still do the same.

Lariette exhaled a sigh, unable to respond immediately to Ruediger. Leaning against the seat, her gaze shifted from him to the front window, watching the passing night.

This lane was quite dim with only several vehicles around. The truck’s headlights sliced through the dark, casting a warm glow over the dimly lit road.

“Eddy, were you at the cafe that day? I wonder how you could be at the hospital.”

Ruediger’s expression softened further, understanding Lariette wouldn’t cease asking him yet. He could tell the lady had several more questions in her mind.

“Yes, I was there,” replied Ruediger, his voice steady and gentle, “Joshua called the cafe. I knew you’re Maddie’s good friend so, I told her I’d go to the hospital first.”

Lariette understood what Ruediger meant. Madeline was away on that day. She had some business to attend in another district over one hour from the cafe.

Ruediger most likely wished to calm Madeline who became frantic upon learning the news thus, he went to the hospital. Perhaps, he left together with Joshua once the lady arrived.

No matter what, Ruediger’s presence brought luck to Lariette because she urgently needed the blood transfusion. She couldn’t thank him enough for his timely assistance.

To a stranger, like her.

Once again looking at Ruediger, Lariette felt her lips curving into a smile but, something else gushing out from the depth of her heart.

She should be happy but… she couldn’t prevent some bitterness from seeping into her happiness, leaving her disheartened.

If… if it was not Ruediger but, any of her family members…

They wouldn’t so readily agree to help her.

She knew it. After all, she was not Stephanie, the apple in their eye.

Biting her lower lip, Lariette sensed a pang of heartache within, flaring out tendrils of pain to her entire body. She unconsciously fisted her hands, trying to fight against the ache.

With her eyes still on the crimson-haired man, she slowly spoke, hoping to convey her gratitude.

“Eddy… it’s late but, thank you for your help. You might think it’s just a simple gesture but, it’s not to me.”

Ruediger blinked, sensing something was off from Lariette’s voice. He initially thought his ears played a trick on him until he heard her talking again.

Her voice, usually a pleasant melody to him, laden with sadness she clearly tried to suppress.

“You… you helped me without… thinking twice. You also didn’t hang it over my head… My family won’t ever do that for me.”

“Lettie…”

Feeling the need to stop, Ruediger quickly turned on the signal and slowed the truck down. Once the coast was clear, he pulled over the roadside.

The vehicles from behind sped past them, casting the intermittent of lights and shadows on the truck.

Despite the dimness of the area, Ruediger still saw how tears pooled in Lariette’s eyes, on the verge of rolling down her face. The sudden change sent alarms ringing in his mind.

What was happening?

What made her so sad?

Was it because he wasn’t being truthful with her?

“Lettie… are you okay? What’s wrong? Are you…” faltering, Ruediger randomly flailed his hands, unsure where to put them, “Are you upset because I didn’t tell you?”

“I’m not mad with you,” Lariette shook her head. Rubbing her eyes, she smiled at Ruediger, “Please know that I’ll ever be so grateful to you, Eddy. Really, thank you.”

Lariette’s tone, albeit sounding softer than usual, held some form of finality that hindered Ruediger from asking more. He put down his hands, afraid he would end up pulling her into his arms.

He couldn’t. Not yet.

But…

It didn’t hurt to ask, right?

Before his rationality stopped him, words already flowing out between his lips.

“Do you need a hug, Lettie? I… I don’t mean anything weird. Really.”

Ruediger quickly added, just realizing that Lariette might be surprised by the sudden question.

“It’s just you look like you need one so…”

Trailing off, Ruediger unconsciously shifted his eyes from Lariette’s face. He silently berated himself for losing a part of his composure.

Ruediger didn’t feel good seeing Lariette unhappy, especially after learning more about her life with the Elsher family today.

Blinking, confusion took over Lariette for a moment. She had never seen Ruediger behaving in such a way—a little panicky.

To Lariette, the crimson-haired man was someone whose composure couldn’t be easily shaken. Ruediger was even unfazed when she threw the knife at Damien during dinner the other night.

This…

Why did she think he suddenly looked cute?

“He… hehe…”

Ruediger blankly stared at Lariette when she suddenly laughed. The melodious echo of her giggles rang in the truck, seemingly finding their way to travel to his heart.

“Hehe, sorry Eddy…” Lariette covered her mouth, her eyes curving into two crescent moons, “I don’t mean to laugh at you.”

“You can laugh if you want. Well, it came out of nowhere, right?”

Ruediger smiled in helplessness, feeling the tension draining from his body. He could tell Lariette didn’t think weirdly of him for his question earlier.

“A little bit.”

Lariette nodded, agreeing with Ruediger. The man shook his head as amusement flickered in his emerald eyes. They exchanged a silent gaze before he spoke.

“I thought… speaking about your family today made you unhappy.”

“Indeed, I was. Well… are you up for a short sad story?”

Realizing what Lariette meant, Ruediger quickly nodded, “Yes. I’m all ears, Lettie.”

“Hehe, thanks.”

Lariette hummed, a faint smile touching her lips as she leaned on the seat, looking out of the front window. The flashings of headlights of other passing vehicles didn’t bother her.

Ruediger’s eyes remained on Lariette, patiently waiting for her to continue.

“About the blood donation… I couldn’t help but compare how you willingly helped me when I needed it. I knew they wouldn’t do so to me.”

Even if Lariette didn’t want to, she still unconsciously compared Ruediger and the Elsher family. Doing so reignited the pain and uncovered the unpleasant memories from the past.

“I’m their biological child but… I am nothing besides the daughter they have raised since a baby. They didn’t visit me even once… when I was still in the hospital.”

As Lariette spoke, her sapphire eyes took on a distant look, far from the present moment. Her gentle voice softened, almost trembling as the fragments of the painful memories resurfaced in her mind.

Hesitating between words, Lariette’s fingers fidgeted absently with the hem of her blouse. She didn’t notice the frown marring Ruediger’s forehead as she continued ranting.

“I knew I was a stranger to them. My fam… they spent years together with her before I appeared. Still, I foolishly hoped they would accept me as their daughter one day, but…”

Lariette exhaled a sigh, feeling it hard to battle against her sorrow. Turning her gaze from the front window to Ruediger, she saw how attentive he was toward her.

Curling up her lips, Lariette whispered, “Sadly, I need to let go of that dream.”