Chapter 220 Leave a Record
Anthony knew Alexander wouldn't be happy to see him, but he came regardless.
Still, fearing Alexander's retaliation, he didn't call Arabella. He just parked his car near the neighborhood and sat inside idle as he lights his cigarette.
The red ember flared and dimmed at his fingertips. Slowly, the car filled with thick smoke. Anthony suddenly remembered—a long, long time ago, Arabella had wrinkled her nose and told him smoking was bad for his health. She'd asked him to cut back.
That was how she always was. She didn't like cigarette smoke either, but everything she did was for other people's sake. When he dismissed her advice, she never brought it up again. Never mentioned how much she hated the smell, or how hurt she felt being ignored.
The dark sky blazed with fireworks. Lights and decorations filled the streets, explosions crackling endlessly. But the space where he sat remained cold and dark.
He felt like an eagle trapped in a swamp—unable to climb out, unwilling to sink down, thrashing desperately for some sliver of space to survive.
So frustrating. So exhausting.
He'd never wanted to see someone this badly. That person who always smiled gently, who never lost her temper, who was like warm wind—you didn't notice her much when she was around, but once she left, life felt incomplete.
Her smile had this miraculous ability to smooth away his irritation. Those two years with her had been the most emotionally stable time of his life.
But she was gone. She didn't want him anymore. She'd married another man. She would have another man's children.
Just thinking about it made rage surge uncontrollably through Anthony's chest.
But it didn't matter. Sooner or later, he'd bring her back to his side. Those two bastards in her belly—there was no need to keep them.
Once the babies are out of the picture, the FitzRoy family wouldn't treat her well. They'd surely kick her out.
And then she'd have no one but him.
The thought excited him.
He stared at Arabella's building one last time, then started the car and drove away.
---
Late that night, Alexander got a phone call. He got out of bed, quietly closed the bedroom door, and walked to the living room before answering. "Yes?"
"Mr. FitzRoy, Anthony drove to your neighborhood entrance. He stayed for half an hour, then left."
Alexander scoffed. "Just a rat hiding in the gutter."
"You don't want us to do anything?"
"No need," Alexander said in a low voice. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "What about Tiffany? How's that investigation going?"
The person on the other end said, "We traced her social connections but haven't found anything suspicious."
Alexander's eyes darkened. "Keep looking."
He didn't believe a single word of the sob story Tiffany had told that day. The only reason he'd agreed to let Frank take her was because he had no evidence—so he was temporarily giving Frank face.
He just hadn't expected to spend all these days investigating and make zero progress.
Tiffany had no grudge against Arabella. Her social connections showed nothing suspicious. So why would she try to harm his children?
Alexander couldn't figure it out.
But he was certain of one thing—Tiffany was definitely not innocent.
---
Two days later, Arabella and Alexander went to Percy's place to pick up Becky.
Becky had become close friends with Daniel. When she saw Arabella coming to get her, her face fell. "Aw, are we going home already?"
Percy, seeing that Becky didn't want to leave, waved his hand grandly. "Just let her stay here for a month. Why do you need to take her back?"
Marilyn smiled in agreement. "Exactly. The kid finally has time off. Let her play here. She can learn things hanging out with Daniel."
"Plus, if the kid's here, you two can come visit now and then. That'd make us happy too."
Percy and Marilyn insisted on keeping Becky, and Becky herself didn't want to go. In the end, Arabella had to agree.
But as she was leaving her father's place, she saw a thin, dark-skinned man coming upstairs with a bag. Just as she stepped out, the man stood outside her father's door with his bag and knocked.
Arabella paused. "Are you looking for my dad?"
The man's eyes lit up when he heard her. "You're Percy's daughter?"
Arabella nodded. "And you are...?"
Before the man could answer, the door swung open. Percy stood in the doorway, looking surprised and pleased. "Brian! You got here so fast? Come in, come in. Must've been a long trip. Come rest."
Arabella asked in confusion, "Dad, who's this...?"
Percy smiled as he made introductions. "This is Brian Cooper, an old coworker of mine. We were close, but you've never met him."
Arabella quickly greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Cooper."
Alexander nodded as well. "Mr. Cooper."
Brian grinned. "Oh my, Percy, your daughter and son-in-law are such a perfect match! They look so good together. You're a lucky man!"
Percy waved his hand modestly. "Not at all, not at all."
He ushered Brian inside, then turned to Arabella. "Arabella, Mr. Cooper's here in Majestic City for medical treatment. He'll be staying with us for a while. Let's give him your room. I'll change the bedding and pack up your things."
Arabella froze for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
But she felt strange about it. Her father used to be so protective of her room. The bedroom faced south and had its own balcony and bathroom. He'd said more than once that it belonged exclusively to his little princess.
When Marilyn and Daniel first moved in, Marilyn had tried to claim that room. First she wanted it for herself—Percy refused. Then she wanted Daniel to have it—Percy still refused, and fixed up the small study for Daniel instead.
Now he was casually giving her room to a strange man. Something felt off to Arabella.
While Brian sat in the living room and her father went to make up the bed, she followed Percy to ask, "Dad, what's wrong with Mr. Cooper? What's he being treated for?"
Percy's eyes widened. "Why are you asking so many questions? You and Alex should get going. The place is small—too crowded with everyone here."
Arabella didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You've got a friend and forgot all about your daughter."
"I haven't seen Brian in years," Percy said. "Now that I finally get to see him, who knows if there'll be another chance? Of course I'm going to give him the best hospitality."
Arabella thought about it—that did make sense. She stopped pressing and said goodbye to Brian before leaving with Alexander.
On the drive home, Alexander asked while keeping his eyes on the road, "Anywhere you want to go? We still have a few days of vacation left, and Becky's not around. We could plan something."
Arabella thought for a moment. "Every year around this time, I visit my mom. After that, I go see my aunt. She lives in the next city over, so it's a day trip round-trip. But usually my aunt has me stay overnight."
So she didn't have time to go anywhere else.
Alexander wasn't disappointed. He just said, "Then I'll go with you."
Arabella twisted her fingers together. "You don't have to. I can go by myself."
Alexander felt a sudden disappointment. After everything he'd said on New Year's Eve, she was still keeping him at arm's length.
Arabella didn't say anything more, just stared quietly out the window, her eyes gradually becoming vacant and lost.
---
The next day, she bought some things to take to her mother's grave. Before leaving, she stopped by her father's place. Percy's legs were improving, but he got cold easily and couldn't go with her.
Marilyn warmly handed her a container of cooked ravioli. "Give your mom a taste."
Arabella felt touched. Marilyn had changed so much lately she was almost unrecognizable.
She accepted the food, thanked her, said goodbye to Becky and Brian, and headed downstairs.
To her surprise, when she got down, Alexander was standing by the car, smiling at her. "I'm the new son-in-law and I haven't even met my mother-in-law yet. I should at least show my face, right?"
Arabella smiled. She didn't refuse. "Okay. Let's go together then."
She wanted her mother to see that she had someone taking care of her now. Even if it was all fake, at least her mother could rest easy in heaven.
---
The cemetery was on the outskirts of the city. As soon as they got out of the car, the cold hit them. The sky was overcast—it looked like snow. Alexander pulled a spare cashmere coat from the car and draped it over her shoulders. "Where's your mom?"
Arabella led him inside, walking all the way to her mother's headstone.
She set down the things she'd brought and looked at the faded photograph of the woman. Strangely, she couldn't cry.
Right after her divorce, she used to visit her mother and cry from feeling so wronged. But now, no tears came. She realized she hadn't cried in a long time. Yet her heart still felt heavy. She'd never felt light.
Arabella thought she was acting strange.
She crouched down and gently touched the cold stone. "Mom, I came to see you."
Alexander crouched beside her. "Mom, I'm Arabella's husband. My name is Alexander—you can call me Alex. I'm in good health, no bad habits, stable income, easygoing personality. I love Arabella very much. I hope you'll like me."
Hearing this, Arabella almost wanted to laugh. The heaviness in her chest eased a little. She looked at Alexander. "Are you on a blind date or something?"
Alexander said seriously, "I'm registering with your mom. As long as she likes me, if you ever try to replace me with someone else, she definitely won't agree."
Arabella was rendered speechless by his logic. He was a sharp businessman, but around her he acted like a complete goofball.
On the drive back, it started snowing. Alexander drove fast, getting them home before the snow got heavy.
Inside, the house was warm and cozy. Arabella took off her coat and sat by the window with a cup of hot milk. Alexander came over, studying her, then suddenly said, "I feel like you've been in a really low mood lately. Is it because of me?"
Arabella paused, then smiled and shook her head. "I don't think so."
Alexander didn't push it. The two of them sat by the window watching the snow. Arabella seemed lost in her own world, not saying another word.