Chapter 71

On one side, Alexander was flabbergasted at what he had just heard and witnessed. On the other side, Juan was still a rock on his feet. The scene he had just witnessed made no sense to him.
Although he was relieved and somewhat elated that Diona did not marry Alexander, at the same time, he grew concerned for her. Further, Heather’s condition did not look good, and it would be an understatement to say that he did not recognize her when he saw her entering the room.
She was bruised and in the most terrible state, yet she held firm to the ground and showed no sign of weakness as she walked towards Diona and took her away with her. She looked powerful and venomous, especially when she dealt with his family.
He could not help but fear for Diona’s safety. The Heather he knew was a different lady than the one who took Diona away. She seemed determined and ready to hurt anyone who would come her way, and he was not sure if it was the same Heather he had come to adore.
He also did not miss Diona’s expression when Heather roughly grabbed her hand. The fear in her eyes was impossible for him to ignore. Yet she made no attempt to free herself from Heather. There was a sense of familiarity between them, and he knew that he would need to get to the bottom of this to figure everything out.
“What in heaven’s place did just happen?” Alexander spoke out aloud, looking at Juan.
“I honestly do not know, Alexander. It does not look good, though.” Juan muttered.
Despite the event that had just occurred in front of his eyes a short while prior, he refused to believe that Heather would hurt Diona Gonzales intentionally.
“The audacity of that woman, dashing and trying to stop your marriage. I will ruin her.” His mother came towards his side, all ready to follow Heather, but Alexander stopped her.
“Do not dare, Mother. Touch her, and I will not be held responsible for my actions.” Alexander was angry and ready to fight against anyone. Even his mother, if need be.
It was about time he took control back from his mother because he had had enough of her schemes. However, his words made Contessa gasp.
“Alexander! How could you say such a thing? That woman is trying to ruin your life. She just took your bride along with her, and you are still protecting her. She just made threats against me and the residents of your community, and you are still supporting her?”
“What about the sins that you committed, Mother? You imprisoned her and blackmailed me into marrying Diona. You broke your vow even after I consented to marry the woman of your choosing. Did you look at the state in which she came here?” Alexander questioned his mother with a glare.
“I did not order anyone to beat her,” Contessa said as Alexander’s words sank in. “I did trap her in the prison, but beyond and above that, I did not do anything. I did not even inform her about your engagement to Diona for fear that she would attempt to sabotage it.”
At his mother's comments, Alexander wanted to laugh. “I do not believe you, mother. I do not believe a single word that comes from your mouth, and I am done playing games with you. In fact, I am altogether done with you.”
“Alexander...” His mother gasped, but he paid no heed to her. She had ultimately crossed all her boundaries, and he was done with this family.
For good.
As he faced Juan to ask him to accompany him to find Heather, he saw that his brother had already left. He wanted to groan in frustration.
Even though his marriage to Diona did not happen, which was a blessing in itself, explaining everything to Heather is going to be a different ballgame in and of itself.
He needs to find her and tell her everything, but he does not know where to begin. He was even more perplexed than before by her father's newly discovered presence. Additionally, he felt terror when he noticed hatred in her eyes. He cannot hold it against her, but he has never seen this side of her before.
Inside Diadem’s castle, everything was chaotic. On the other hand, Mabel's heart was racing fast.
She was certain that something had happened, but she was not able to figure out if it was good or bad. She was pacing, and the eerie silence in the space made her uneasy. Heather's well-being was all she wanted in the world. Each second passing was only making her more apprehensive than before.
Diona's marriage to Alexander was merely a step in the direction of disaster, but she was powerless to stop it. She also found it hard to comprehend that Alexander had first agreed to marry Diona. She had high hopes from him, and he broke her faith.
Although she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, she was unable to do so. Not at the expense of Heather's feelings. At present, she wishes nothing but to have everything back. Everything that she had lost, every single thing that was taken away from her, but it all seemed far-fetched.
Her heart stopped for a split second when she heard the knock on the door. She hesitantly walked towards it. Her mind was telling her it must be the Hans family, yet her heart was whispering something else.
Mabel took a deep breath and opened the door, only to find Heather standing alongside Arkin. She desired nothing more than to kiss him, but Heather’s bruised face made her worry.
“Heather…” Before she could even say a word, Heather leaped on to her, embracing her tightly.
“Mother,” she croaked, crying her heart out.
“You remembered!” Mabel exclaimed, tears drenching her face.
“Yes. I..” Heather choked, and Mabel fiercely hugged her daughter.
“Shh! Come on in. You need to get some rest.” Mabel and Arkin helped their daughter walk inside.
However, she was surprised to find Diona behind them, looking emotionally broken. Although she felt for her, her devotion was to her daughter. She eyed her in, and Diona quietly went and sat on the corner of the floor.
“Mother, there is so much I need to tell you, and there is so much I do not understand."
However, Arkin took control and assisted her daughter in lying down rather than Mabel. “Not now, honey. We have all the time in the world. But first, you need to rest, preserve all your powers, and regain your strength." He kissed her forehead.
Despite being terrified of losing everything, Mabel and Arkin clutched Heather's hand as she spoke. "I do not want this to be just a dream."
“You will not lose anything. I promise you, Heather.” Arkin said.
His words held comfort, making her sleep peacefully for the first time in a long time. When they were certain that Heather was sound asleep, Arkin drew Mabel close to him and kissed her.
“I missed you." He said it with tears in his eyes, which matched that with Mabel.
“Arkin, it has been so hard.” Mabel sobbed, and Arkin embraced her tightly, cutting her off.
“I know, but no longer. It took us a long time to come together, but we are finally here. Our daughter is finally with us.”