Chapter 409

The mention of Seraphina sent a shadow creeping over Harrison's expression, his features darkening like an approaching tempest.

"What did you just say? Explain yourself."

"Seraphina and Arabella have always been like fire and ice—everyone knew that long before her divorce from Nathaniel. Think about it. Every time she appeared, chaos followed for the Sinclair Group. This time is no exception. Even if she disregards Arabella's feelings, she should at least respect the Sinclair family name!"

Sebastian had meant to downplay his own misjudgment, but the more he spoke, the more his bitterness toward Seraphina bled through. He was so convincing, he almost believed his own words. "The funeral was a sacred occasion. Why did she have to cause a scene then? Couldn't she wait? Her actions prove she's deliberately targeting the Sinclair Group. This mess is entirely her fault—her reckless behavior and relentless attacks on our family!"

"So you're blaming Seraphina for everything?" Harrison's piercing gaze narrowed.

"At the very least, she bears undeniable responsibility," Sebastian replied coolly, a master of deflection.

"Shut your damn mouth!"

Harrison's rage erupted. He snatched the phone from his desk and hurled it at Sebastian.

This time, Sebastian dodged. Had he not, his skull would've been cracked open like an egg.

"When a servant of the Sinclair family died, you and Arabella, as the masters of Windsor Estates, showed no regard for human life! Seraphina and her family were the ones who arranged that poor girl's funeral, giving her the dignity she deserved. You did nothing but let your reckless wife run wild. And now you're blaming Seraphina? A woman in her twenties? Have you no shame left?"

Harrison's voice trembled with fury when it came to his beloved granddaughter. His bloodshot eyes burned, his parched lips quivering. "Sebastian, when did you become so heartless? Or were you always like this, and I was just blind to it?"

Sebastian froze.

The fury in his father's eyes sent a chill down his spine. His temples throbbed. "You never truly accepted me, did you? Back then, compared to Felix, you'd have rather seen me in prison, wouldn't you?"

Harrison's pupils contracted. His grip on the wheelchair's armrest tightened. "You and your brother are both my sons. I've never favored one over the other. It's your own insecurity that made you feel neglected! But now? Now I regret not throwing you in jail to teach you a lesson! I regret not stopping you from marrying that viper Arabella! I regret failing to protect Nathaniel and his mother, leaving him motherless so young. You lost a woman who truly loved you!"

"Loved me? What did you say?" Sebastian's face paled, his voice shaking.

Harrison thought of Nathaniel's mother—Evelyn Lockwood. A pang of grief twisted his heart. "Evelyn only ever loved you. Her feelings never wavered, and she never looked at another man. I used to wonder where Nathaniel got his romantic nature. I thought it was from me, but no—it was from his mother."

"That's impossible," Sebastian muttered, his eyes clouded with confusion. "If she loved me, why refuse to marry me? Why push me away? She wouldn't even let me touch her."

"Because she was suffering—physically and mentally. She was drowning in depression, in constant pain. Every morning, her first thought was ending her life. Only thoughts of Nathaniel kept her going."

Sebastian staggered back, a sharp pain lancing through his chest.

He'd known about Evelyn's depression, but back then, mental illness was poorly understood. Her silence and seclusion seemed like mere quirks. Between his CEO duties, he'd overlooked the severity of her condition.

Harrison's eyes glistened with sorrow. "I thought she was distancing herself to manipulate you or because she'd fallen for someone else. But one day, while you were away on business, Evelyn came to me and confessed everything."

"Mr. Sinclair, I'm here to ask a favor."

Harrison remembered Evelyn—still breathtakingly beautiful, standing before him with no makeup, dressed simply. No wonder his son had been so captivated.

"I want your permission to leave Sebastian. To leave the Sinclair family."

"You want to leave? What about Nathaniel? Will you take him?" Harrison had nearly risen from his seat.

Evelyn shook her head.

"That's why I'm here. I intend to leave alone—taking nothing, not even Nate. He's my son, but he's also Sebastian's, your grandson. I've seen how much you love him. Knowing he has you will comfort me, no matter where I am. Besides... my health is failing. A mother like me would only torment him. In time, he'd grow to resent me. I won't let that happen."

Harrison had seen it then—Evelyn's quiet intelligence. The Sinclair name could offer Nathaniel opportunities she never could. Staying with the family meant the best education, the finest life, a future among the elite.

Every parent wants the best for their child.

"One question, Evelyn. Why leave now?"

Despite his relief she wouldn't take Nathaniel, curiosity gnawed at him. "Sebastian adores you. He'd move heaven and earth to make you happy. He wants to marry you. As his wife, you'd be a Sinclair. You've given him a son who could inherit the Sinclair Group. With all that within reach, you'd walk away? Or... is there someone else? Were you ever truly in love with my son?"

Harrison had immediately regretted the bluntness, but Evelyn showed no offense. She answered calmly.

"No, Mr. Sinclair. I love Sebastian. Truly. But in my current state, I'm unfit to be his wife or the lady of this house. I don't know how long I have left. The woman at his side should be strong, capable—someone who can care for him, their children, and support his career. I can't do any of that. I won't be his burden. Leaving now... it's kinder this way."

Tears welled in Harrison's eyes as he recounted this.

Sebastian stood frozen, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.

"No... that can't be," he whispered, lips trembling, his cheek twitching.

Seeing his son's devastation, Harrison was reminded of Nathaniel. In many ways, his grandson surpassed his father—except in one fatal flaw: both were stubborn to the point of self-destruction, refusing to admit mistakes until it was too late.

"Evelyn made me swear to keep this secret. She wanted to vanish quietly, leaving no traces for you or Nathaniel to mourn."

Harrison shook his head bitterly. "I was a fool. I only cared about keeping Nathaniel in the family. I never anticipated Arabella. I never dreamed you'd replace Evelyn with such a monster. My greatest regret."

"If Evelyn hadn't been so cold, if she hadn't despised me, I'd never have married Arabella."

Even now, Evelyn held a place in Sebastian's heart Arabella could never touch. But pride was his poison. He'd never admit his mistakes, never yield. The golden boy who'd always gotten everything he wanted couldn't bear Evelyn's indifference—her refusal to love him. That was how Arabella slithered into their lives, how that venomous woman took over their home.

"Lawrence, bring out Evelyn's belongings."

"Yes, Mr. Sinclair."

Lawrence produced a wooden box from his briefcase, handing it to Sebastian. "Sir, these are the late Mrs. Sinclair's personal effects. She left them with Mr. Harrison before departing. She said discarding them would be a waste, but keeping them brought only pain. These tokens—the rings you gave her, the mementos of your love—should be returned to you."

Sebastian stared at the box, hands shaking but unable to take it.

"Let the past stay buried, Sebastian. You've replaced the old with the new. No need to cling to relics."

Harrison's gaze darkened. "But now, I think you should have them. Otherwise, you'll never see who you truly loved. Never realize how blind you've been."

Sebastian accepted the box, his throat too tight to speak.

As he left the office, Harrison slumped against the door, drained.

"Sir," Lawrence ventured gently, "Evelyn wanted those items destroyed. Why did you keep them?"

"Because I was waiting," Harrison murmured. "Waiting for him to see Arabella for what she is."

"But judging by his reaction, he's still defending her. It seems he hasn't truly awakened."

Harrison snorted. "No, he's defending his pride. If I don't understand my own son, who does? He's on the brink of abandoning Arabella. Right now, rekindling old love might be the final push. The dead often wound deeper than the living. This will make him see. Make him regret."

The luxury car sped toward Windsor Estates.

Sebastian clutched the wooden box the entire ride, only daring to open it after an eternity.

The box had two layers. The first held velvet pouches. Each one he opened sent fresh agony through his chest.

The diamond engagement ring seemed modest now, but thirty years ago, it would've made any woman swoon. The jade bracelet was a birthday gift he'd painstakingly selected.

Back then, he'd remembered every anniversary, every lovers' holiday. Now, he couldn't even recall the day Evelyn died.

Sebastian took a shuddering breath and opened the second layer—a stack of aged photographs.

Hands trembling, he flipped through them. His vision blurred with tears, a deafening roar in his ears.

He remembered. Evelyn always carried a camera, wandering Windsor Estates, capturing moments.

He'd never known what she photographed. Now he saw—every picture had one subject: him.

On each photo's back were her confessions—restrained, tender, overflowing with love.

"Dawn's light, dusk's clouds—walking or sitting, all I see is you."

"I don't know when it happened, but I've become someone who can't live without you. Perhaps this is what the Bible means—woman made from man's rib."

"Sebastian, I hope my humble origins, my regrettable past, my clumsy love haven't burdened you. I know my feelings are but a drop in your brilliant life. But Sebastian, it's all I have to give. I love you so."

Sebastian crumpled a photo, silent tears soaking the delicate handwriting.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" His voice broke. "Evelyn... do you know I've always loved you?"