Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Your Grandfather Might Kill Me
Lariette didn’t want to feel any sadness for letting go of the people who never treasured her but, it was easier said than done. Her heart still had lingering pain from it.

At times, Lariette felt nothing but in certain moments, she couldn’t help but mourn the loss of her relationship with her parents and siblings. After all, she aimed for it for almost a decade.

Fortunately, she still had decent control over herself. At the very least, she didn’t show the heartwrenching sorrow to them—her parents and siblings.

Displaying any signs of regret and sadness would just bring her down. She wouldn’t ever let the Elsher family have the satisfaction of seeing her in agony.

Despite acknowledging Declan and Rafael’s recent show of support toward her, Lariette wouldn’t delude herself. She didn’t have it in her heart to trust they would remain by her side.

Lariette believed that the two men—her brothers—might coddle Stephanie again sooner rather than later.

“Haa… I sound pathetic. Still, thank you for listening to me, Eddy.”

Exhaling a long sigh, Lariette smiled appreciatively at Ruediger whose eyes remained on her. She applauded him for being an attentive listener.

A slight smile played on Ruediger’s lips upon hearing Leslie thanking him. The frown on his forehead eased a little but, concern was still evident in his eyes.

As neither Lariette nor Ruediger spoke, the low hum of passing vehicles sounded clearer against the stillness of the night. Occasionally, several cars rushed by, casting brief but vivid streaks of lights across the area.

Softening the expression on his face, Ruediger parted his lips to speak. His voice, which was rough on the edges, carried a hint of a calming undertone to Lariette.

“Do you feel pathetic because a part of you still cling to the hope?”

Lariette sensed no judgment in Ruediger’s question. The evident concern and curiosity in his tone touched her heart, leaving a fluttering feeling as if a soft feather brushing the surface.

“That’s what I feel,” Lariette replied quietly, followed by a helpless smile, “If only it’s easy to forget it. You know, like crumpling papers into a ball and throwing it into a trash can?”

Amused by Lariette’s remarks, laughter escaped Ruediger’s lips. Shaking his head, his red fringes swaying on his clear forehead.

Once again Ruediger’s comforting tone echoed in the vehicle, giving Lariette some thoughts of his own.

“When you first hope to get closer to them, it’s still a tiny flame. Over time, your hope grew bigger. Even if you’ve faced many disappointments, it’ll still take time for it to fade. I was the same as you, Lettie.”

Lariette blinked, never expecting the last remark from Ruediger—the one indicating the painful experience of his own.

Fidgeting with her blouse, countless questions swirling in Lariette’s mind. Her sapphire eyes darted from Ruediger to the outside as nervousness took over her.

“May I… ask… how did you get over it? You were the same as me, en? Doesn’t it mean… you’ve overcome it?”

Lariette’s voice, full of caution, quietly asked Ruediger. It wasn’t her intention to pry into his past but, the way he worded his advice made it hard for her not to.

Lariette believed Ruediger had it worse than her. He was exiled from his own family when he was barely a pre-teen, much younger than her when she first entered the Elsher household.

How did he get over his own heartache?

Even though he had Madeline and her mother, wouldn’t he still yearn to be with his own family?

Like how she longed for her parents and siblings to love her even when she had her maternal grandfather.

“Ah… sorry! I didn’t mean to pry. Just forget what I asked. I’m sorry, really.”

Realizing she might unearth some of Ruediger’s unpleasant memories, Lariette quickly retracted her words. She shook her head a few times, followed by an apologetic smile.

Ruediger tilted his head, the smile on his lips widening. He calmly said, “Lettie, I’m not offended. You may ask if you want to, but…”

Lariette unconsciously bit her lower lip when Ruediger took a pause. She saw him looking at the touchscreen dashboard.

“It’s getting late. Aren’t you tired? If I start now, it might take until midnight.”

Lariette gasped, realizing they had spent some time by the roadside because Ruediger had seen her almost crying earlier.

“Oh… Y-yes! Let’s go home. We can talk some other time.”

Ruediger chuckled, agreeing with Lariette. While turning on the signal and looking at the side mirror, his voice carrying his words imbued with promise.

“If you want, I can share about it with you over some supper tonight. But, it might be best if we postpone it. Didn’t your doctor tell you to keep getting decent rest?”

“Oh… yes. Well, I’m quite sleepy now actually.”

Lariette was eager to hear more about Ruediger’s past, especially after seeing how willing he was. Unfortunately, she couldn’t deny that exhaustion had caught up to her.

More chuckles came from Ruediger, earning a sheepish smile from Lariette. She watched him pull away from the roadside, once again driving the truck down the road.

“So many things happened today, Lettie,” Ruediger glanced at Lariette, smiling at her, “We can take it easy, one at a time. I don’t wanna get killed by your grandpa if he knew I made you cry this time. You’ve cried today.”

“…today?” Lariette stared blankly at Ruediger, wondering what he meant.

Ruediger laughed faintly. Arching his brows, he said, “Don’t you remember? You cried in his study today.”

“…”

Lariette had nothing else to say. Pulling her eyes away from Ruediger’s side profile, she tried to shrink herself in the seat.

How could she forget that she had cried in front of him earlier today? Being carried away by her feelings, she did it again tonight in the truck.

How humiliating…

Ruediger bit his lower lip, trying to hold back from laughing. He couldn’t help but think how adorable Lariette was now, looking dejected as she tried to fade her sense of presence.

“Have you packed for this trip? How about your dress, Lettie? You’ll just bring that one?”

Ruediger’s question immediately reminded Lariette of what she had asked Chairman Delaney to find out. Returning her gaze to the crimson-haired man, she hummed.

“I need a decoy anyway. They’ll be suspicious if I bring another one. Well, Grandpa still needs to check whether it’s true or not. It’s just my guess after all.”

Ruediger let out a sigh. Tapping one finger on the steering wheel, he lamented, “It might be possible but, it’s it indeed happens… How vicious they can be.”

“Also cartoonishly evil,” Lariette shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the possibility, “I think even high school girls no longer act immaturely like this.”

“Then, won’t you bring more as backup?” asked Ruediger, wishing to know about Lariette’s plan.

“If worse comes to worse, I’ll just wear a black funeral dress,” Lariette chuckled, amused by her own imagination, “Don’t you think it’ll fit the occasion?”

“…that sounds fitting.”

Ruediger had no more words to say. Even though he hoped such a thing wouldn’t happen, he thought it was better to take some precautions.

If not… Lariette would be subjected to an unfair humiliation.

Still, a black funeral dress as the backup?

Frowning, Ruediger’s mind wandered to Nathaniel. It seemed like he needed to pester his friend for help once again.

Lariette stared out of the window, oblivious to what was on Ruediger’s mind. She was also unaware that someone else had beaten Chairman Delaney over discovering what she was curious about.