Chapter 404

Chapter 404

The oppressive atmosphere made everyone uncomfortable.

Rhea walked over and took my hand. "Blair, take care of yourself. Don't let the family drama get to you."

"I'm fine, Grandma."

"How can you be fine? We'll get this sorted out as soon as possible. You two have put up with so much because of Cleo. We thought we were past all this, but now that girl's being stubborn again."

I shook my head. "Grandma, I'm really okay. I understand."

"You're too forgiving." Rhea patted my hand.

I was the only obvious victim in all this. Honestly, I wasn't even angry—Cleo had just been spoiled her whole life, and yeah, the things she said were harsh.

At least Rhea was on my side and felt for me. That made me feel cared for.

"Why don't you and Grandpa stay here and rest?"

"No, we keep different hours than you young people."

Aiden cleared his throat. "Cut off her allowance."

"Dad, we haven't been giving her—"

"Don't think I don't know. She's been pampered since birth, living the high life. Even after marriage, you're still giving her money to bail her out. She's been spoiled rotten—that's why she's so thoughtless!"

Natalia lowered her head, not daring to say more. When it came to raising Cleo, they'd definitely been too lenient.

"Grandpa, please don't be upset. Cleo needs money right now. She doesn't work, and Michael hasn't given her child support. If we cut her off completely, it'll just push her closer to him."

Raising kids was stressful enough. How could the same two parents produce such different children as Cleo and Levi?

"Dad, try not to get worked up..."

"Can't control her anymore. If your own family won't listen to reason, you have to take a different approach."

Aiden's words carried implications. He was hinting at something.

"Grandpa, I'll handle it."

Levi immediately stepped up.

"All right then, let's go. We'll be off. Take care of Blair." Rhea looked at Levi with some emotion, then glanced at me.

I waved. "Bye, Grandma."

Natalia picked up her bag. "I should go too."

"Mom, stay. It's so late, and you'd just be alone at home." I genuinely wanted her to stay. Of everyone here, she had to be the most helpless and heartbroken.

"Your father's already on a plane. I need to go home and wait for him."

What should've been a small matter was now serious enough to bring Nolan flying back. I looked at Levi—he seemed dazed, lost in thought.

"Drive safely, everyone."

"Blair, get some rest. I'm so sorry about today. I apologize on Cleo's behalf."

Facing Natalia's apology, I didn't know what to say.

"Natalia, let me walk you out. Blair should rest."

Faye took Natalia's arm, and they slowly headed out.

That left just Levi and me standing there.

After a long moment, I poked his arm.

"Come on, let's go to bed."

I walked ahead; he followed behind.

A strange feeling washed over me. I'd always been the one following him. Now the order was reversed.

As soon as we entered the room, he pulled me down to sit.

"Does it still hurt?"

"What?"

He pointed at the wound on my forehead.

"It stopped hurting ages ago."

"Come here."

"Why?"

I leaned closer, following his gesture.

He slowly lowered his head and gently blew on my wound.

His soft breath spread across the injury, sending tingles through my whole body.

"I never thought Mr. Morgan would do something so thoughtful."

"Have you been watching too many TV dramas?"

"What?"

He pulled back slightly, looking at me seriously. "Do you want a life that's all show and no substance?"

More than titles or status, the real details of everyday life were what truly comforted the heart. I'd never cared about wealth or luxury. What I'd always longed for was for him to truly pay attention to me.

More than silently giving me money, this kind of companionship and care was precious.

"So you'd really turn against Cleo for my sake?"

"That's not what this is about."

"Then what is it?"

"I won't allow anyone or anything to disrupt our life."

I blinked. "Be more specific."

"Haven't you noticed? Most of our unhappiness doesn't come from us—it comes from outside interference."

My heart strings pulled tight. He'd precisely identified all the tangled troubles that plagued us.

"But your attitude today probably made everyone uncomfortable."

"So your discomfort is acceptable?"

My nose stung instantly, tears welling up. I'd always thought he'd offend me for the sake of the whole world. I never imagined he'd ignore the whole world for my sake.

All those grievances I'd swallowed—he thought they were unacceptable. He understood how hard things were for me. He wouldn't let anyone hurt me, not even his own family.

If this wasn't love, what was?

In that moment, I truly felt I wasn't an outsider.

And wasn't this sense of security exactly what I'd been longing for?

I couldn't hold back my tears. He reached out to wipe them away.

"You don't have to accommodate anyone. You don't have to please anyone. Including me." He stroked my face.

I grabbed his hand, trembling with emotion. When I spoke again, my voice broke into sobs.

"Thank you."

His brow furrowed. "You don't need to thank me."

"But I want to thank you."

When Cleo had attacked me with her words, I'd been terrified he wouldn't take my side. I was afraid all the tenderness I had now would instantly turn to foam.

He pulled me into his arms, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Grandpa's words meant going after Michael, right?"

"You caught that."

"What are you planning to do?"

He squeezed my fingertips. "Whatever we do won't matter much. We can't force them apart. Cleo's stubborn."

"What if she insists on being with him..."

"Then she'll have to learn the hard way. Again."

"What?"

Levi sighed. "There's no other way."

Michael's company was about to become an empty shell. Whatever he was doing to win Cleo over wouldn't be his last desperate move. Cleo didn't have much savings left—even if she gave him everything, it wouldn't be enough to cover his cash flow needs.

Aiden's words made sense, but there was no need for any schemes against Michael. Maybe the only solution to this problem was to let Cleo get hurt again. Only then would she give up.

"Is that cruel?"

He suddenly asked.

"Of course. It's knowingly watching something bad happen."

He pressed my hand. "That question Cleo asked you—what's your real answer?"

About him and Jessa?

Why was he suddenly asking me this...

My heart raced, my mind went blank. I thought and thought, then finally said what I truly felt.

"I really did hate it. And I really can't help forgiving you."

He held me tighter, then said something that made my heart tremble—

"I'm sorry..."