Chapter 105 Why Are You Keeping Me Here?
The tray in Kenna's hands trembled. Barely, but it was there.
Kenna was no fool.
She'd worked at Ravenwood Manor for years. She didn't know much about Alexander and Caroline's life back when they'd lived in the apartment, but after everything that had happened recently, after all the fragments she'd overheard, she could piece together what Caroline's life had been like these past five years.
Coldness. Neglect. Perhaps worse.
Now, Caroline's memory was fractured. She lived in a world she'd built for herself, one where her husband loved her. And maybe, for someone who'd spent so long in a frozen hell, that delusion was a mercy.
Kenna didn't know when the truth would come crashing down. But for now, there was light in Caroline's eyes. A shadow of happiness.
Why destroy even that?
Kenna swallowed hard, lowering her gaze to avoid Caroline's. "Mrs. Hamilton, please don't overthink it… It's like this. When they brought you back, you were badly hurt. You needed rest. Mr. Hamilton was worried about disturbing you, so he had you move to this room temporarily. He works late sometimes. He didn't want to wake you."
The explanation was riddled with holes. Even Kenna could hear how flimsy it sounded.
But Caroline seemed to accept it. Her expression just grew sadder.
She was quiet for a moment. Then she asked softly, "So my old clothes… he threw them all away, didn't he?"
Her red-rimmed eyes lifted to Kenna.
"He's disgusted by me now, isn't he? He doesn't even love who I used to be anymore, so…"
"No! Mrs. Hamilton, it's not like that!" Kenna panicked, setting the tray down quickly. She wanted to comfort her, but the words wouldn't come. The truth was too cruel. And a kind lie was too hard to sustain.
She just stood there, helpless, until Caroline's gaze dimmed. Then Kenna lowered her head in silence.
Caroline seemed to understand.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"It's fine." Her voice was soft. "I won't be going out much anyway. I don't need a lot of clothes. These are enough."
She paused, looking down at the oversized men's dress shirt she was wearing. Her expression darkened again.
"Kenna, when I change out of this shirt, please make sure you wash it properly. Otherwise…"
She lowered her eyes, her long lashes hiding whatever emotion flickered there. Her voice dropped even lower. "He'll be angry."
Kenna looked at her—this woman who was clearly hurting but forcing herself not to care—and her chest ached.
She stepped forward and took Caroline's cold hand in hers. "Mrs. Hamilton, you should think about yourself more. You don't always have to—"
Caroline gently pulled her hand away. She shook her head.
"It's all right, Kenna. Alexander is my entire world. He was before. He is now. And he always will be."
All of Kenna's words of comfort stuck in her throat. She could only sigh quietly and pick up the tray again. "Then… at least eat something."
At the apartment in the city center.
Celeste tried to pull the door open for the third time. Her fingers had barely touched the handle when a black-gloved hand pressed firmly against the door, stopping her.
"Miss, please go back inside." The bodyguard's voice was calm. Unyielding.
Celeste whirled around, glaring at him like he was a statue blocking her way. "Why won't you let me out? What the hell does Alex think he's doing? Is he keeping me prisoner?!"
The bodyguard bowed slightly, his tone still polite but leaving no room for argument.
"You misunderstand. Mr. Hamilton has instructed that it's not convenient for you to go out right now. And if I may remind you, you were the one who asked to move into this apartment. Mr. Hamilton has been considerate enough to provide staff to take care of your needs. When the time is right, we'll notify you."
"Liar!" Celeste was nearly screaming.
Why had she moved here in the first place?
For the apartment's comfort? No. Because Alexander lived here too.
Even when he and Caroline fought, even when he didn't come home, this place had been his. A place she could be near him.
But now?
He wasn't coming back here at all. He was staying at Ravenwood Manor, playing house with that bitch.
And she was stuck here alone. This was supposed to be care?
"What do you mean 'not convenient'? You just don't want me anywhere near Caroline! Has Alex lost his mind?! Caroline's memory is scrambled, and now he's going crazy with her? Has he forgotten who killed his precious Edith? And now he's playing loving husband with the murderer, and he won't even let me tell the truth?!"
"Miss!" The bodyguard's brow furrowed. His voice dropped, cold now. "Please watch your words. Especially when it comes to Ms. Edith Neville."
Celeste flinched at the sharpness in his eyes. Then her fury flared hotter.
She screamed and swept her arm across the entryway table. The crystal vase shattered on the floor.
Glass flew everywhere.
Celeste completely lost it. She started smashing everything in the living room.
Anything within reach became a target.
The bodyguard stood there, expressionless, watching her until she collapsed on the floor, exhausted. Then he gestured for the staff outside to come in and clean up.
He walked over to where she sat, crumpled and panting, and bent down slightly. His tone was still polite. Still infuriating.
"Regarding your questions, Mr. Hamilton will provide answers in due time. Please be patient."
Then he turned and resumed his position by the door. A statue again.
Celeste sat on the floor, surrounded by broken glass and overturned furniture, her rage consuming what little reason she had left.
How was she supposed to be patient?
Alexander had promised to marry her. He'd said he would deal with Caroline when the time was right.
She'd schemed for so long. She'd even personally delivered the evidence to Alexander—proof that Caroline had destroyed Edith's belongings. She'd done it to force his hand. To make him act.
She'd thought he would kill Caroline.
But instead?