Chapter 24
Chapter 24
A few minutes later, after Hope was discharged, Georgiana secretly walked up to Collette, moving a bit closer to her and whispering into her ears in such a way no one would hear what she was about to say.
“ She was extremely lucky, Collete. She should have died. Guess we used the poison wrongly,” Georgiana whispered to her.
Clearing her throat, Collete spoke. “ I put everything. I did my best to shut down that motherfucker. I still wonder how she survived.”
Georgiana hung her arms over her shoulder, and spoke. “ You're a good fiance and a wife material. You did all these, risk your reputation just to help Noah get rid of that bastard.”
Drawing and releasing a deep breath, Collette wiped off her face as if wiping off the frustration that had glued onto her.
“ So what am I going to do now? Is Noah loving his stepsister? That's forbidden!”
“ No, Collete. Stop overthinking. It's not possible. Moreover, Raphael is coming over today. He's Hope’s crusher.”
“ Are you sure this will work?” Collette asked, her eyes holding pain inside of them .
“ Yes, of course.”
Collette’s brow creased with worry as Georgiana slipped away under the pretense of checking on Hope’s belongings. The muffled bustle of the hospital corridor seeped around them, but their voices remained a guarded whisper.
“I suppose we’ll have to watch them both closely,” Collette said, forcing a small, brittle smile. “Noah’s loyalty lies with family—but blood’s a tangled thing.”
Georgiana nodded, her gaze flicking toward the double doors where nurses wheeled Hope’s wheelchair away. “Blood can bind… or break. We just have to be ready.”
\---
Meanwhile, dozens of miles south at the city’s international airport:
Raphael pressed one hand against the headrest of the jet’s doorway as the stairs descended beneath his polished shoes. The late-afternoon sun glinted off the terminal’s glass façade, and a warm breeze carried the faint hum of traffic and distant horns. He took a deep breath, savoring the familiar rhythms of home—so different from the polished hush of London, where he’d been studying business these last two years.
“Home,” he murmured, a slow smile forming as he straightened his jacket. “I’ve missed this.”
A uniformed attendant took his hand-luggage with a polite nod. Raphael descended the final steps and stepped onto the tarmac, the scent of jet fuel mingling with summer air. He paused to let the bustle go around him—the families embracing, the chauffeurs unloading sleek black sedans. But his eyes were already fixed on the exit beyond the sliding doors: the place where Hope would be waiting.
He’d heard news: Hope Alejandra—once the youngest heir of Vallence Luxury Holdings—had taken the reins as CEO. A staggering rise for a girl who’d always fought for her place at the table. He remembered her laughter in the hallways of their childhood home, sunlight tangled in her hair as she dreamed aloud of five-star hotels and couture gowns. Now she was building empires.
He adjusted his tie, heart fluttering at the thought. “CEO Alejandra,” he whispered, half in awe, half in disbelief. “She did it.”
Slipping through the automatic doors, Raphael wove through the crowd as he motioned.
Raphael stepped into the crowded arrivals hall and fished his phone from his pocket. The screen lit up with Georgiana’s name. He tapped it, smiling.
“Georgiana,” he said into the phone, glancing back toward the sliding doors where Hope had vanished with her driver.
“Raphael!” Georgiana’s voice was bright, relieved. “You made it back safely?”
“Smooth flight. Airport’s as lively as ever.” He leaned against a pillar, blocking himself from the worst of the crowd. “How are things at home?”
“All settled. And—” Georgiana paused, a hint of triumph in her voice. “Hope’s been discharged. The doctors released her this morning.”
His heart did a pleased flip. “That’s fantastic news.”
“You should come straight to the mansion,” Georgiana pressed. “She’s eager to see you, and I think she could use a familiar face.”
Raphael’s grin widened. “I’ll be there in a few hours. Thank you, Georgiana. Really.”
“Don’t mention it.” Georgiana laughed softly. “Give her my best, okay? And behave yourself—she’s been through a lot.”
He chuckled into the phone. “Of course. She’s my wife, after all.” He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
He hailed a black sedan from the line of waiting cars. As the driver loaded his luggage into the trunk, Raphael slipped into the back seat and settled in.
The city lights blurred past as they wove through traffic toward the Alejandra–Vallence estate. Raphael stared out the window, anticipation twisting in his chest. In two short years, Hope had gone from bright debutante to head of a global luxury empire—yet tonight, she was still the same lively, warm-hearted girl he remembered.
Half an hour later, the car pulled up the sweeping, lantern-lit drive of the family mansion. Raphael stepped out, buttoning his coat against the evening chill. He paused on the marble porch, took a breath, and rang the bell.
The door swung open almost immediately. Georgiana stood there, impeccably dressed in house-party elegance, her face lighting up with relief at seeing him.
“Raphael!” she exclaimed, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Collete also rushed outside, her cheeks flushed with surprise. She spoke. " You're welcome to Alejandro mansion, Raphael. Georgiana has told me about you. "
He smiled, his hands arrogantly buried in his pocket as his eyes fluttered around for Hope. " It's my pleasure, Miss!"
Before Georgiana or Collette could say more, the soft click of heels echoed down the grand staircase.
Hope emerged, dressed in a silk robe over her recovery gown, her long hair brushed back as Penelope supported her lightly by the elbow.
Her eyes fell on him—and she froze.
“Raphael?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “What are you doing here?”
Raphael’s smile softened. “Came to take my wife home.”
Hope blinked, stunned. “You—what?”
“I heard everything,” he said, stepping forward, voice low and sure. “The accident. The hospital. The takeover. I couldn’t stay away.”