Chapter 19
Clara sighed, realizing that Mr. Kane had not informed her of the significance of today, which would make it awkward for her to arrive at the family estate without knowing what was going on.
"Ma’am, today marks the anniversary of Alessandro Kane’s passing, Alexander’s father," Clara explained.
"The anniversary of his death?" Lilly wondered why Alexander hadn’t mentioned this to her, despite being away for five days. She laughed bitterly at herself, recalling that Alexander had never shared anything with her, but she hoped that would change gradually.
"Yes, ma’am. Mr. Kane must have overlooked telling you." Clara bit her tongue, holding back a comment about Alexander arranging for her to go to the family estate but neglecting to mention the day’s significance.
"You said there’s a driver waiting outside?" Lilly asked.
"Yes, ma’am."
Lilly walked past Clara and headed outside.
"Ma’am, you need to change your clothes first," Clara reminded her.
Lilly glanced at her outfit and sighed. She had forgotten to dress appropriately for the occasion. She went back inside and changed into a black, fitted dress that fell just below her knees, paired with black heels, and pulled her hair into a simple ponytail.
After changing, they headed to the family estate.
The chauffeur drove her to a different section of the estate where she could see a shrine from afar. As they approached, she noticed several guards stationed outside.
Once the car stopped, Lilly got out and entered the shrine, removed her shoes, washed her hands, and then entered to find Grandma Helen kneeling in prayer. Lilly moved quietly, lit some incense, and bowed three times before the portrait of Alexander’s father before sitting beside Grandma Helen, who was still praying.
If she had known about this day earlier, she would have come to the estate beforehand. Alexander had kept her in the dark until now.
Lilly observed that only the two of them were there; Sandra was in Europe, which was understandable, but where was Alexander? He had arranged for her to come, so why wasn’t he present?
Lilly closed her eyes and prayed, her hands clasped together. As she prayed for Alexander’s father, her thoughts drifted to her own sisters, and she found tears streaming down her cheeks.
After about an hour, they finished their prayers and walked back to the waiting car. They were driven to another part of the estate, and Lilly marveled at the estate’s vastness.
The car stopped near the family mausoleum, and they got out. Lilly stayed close to Grandma Helen as they approached the tombs. Beside Alessandro Kane’s grave was the grave of Nicholas Kane, Alexander’s recently deceased grandfather. Lilly looked around but didn’t see any marker for Alexander’s mother.
She realized she knew nothing about Alexander’s mother—whether she was alive or deceased. If there was no grave, it implied she was still alive, but why wasn’t she part of the family? Lilly knew she would eventually uncover the truth.
They laid flowers and burned incense at the gravesite, then offered a silent prayer.
"This is the first time someone has joined me for my son’s memorial since Sandra went to Europe," Grandma Helen spoke to her.
Lilly looked at her in surprise. "Are you saying that…?"
"Yes."
Lilly was stunned, trying to understand why Alexander had not attended his father’s memorial. The realization was difficult for her to grasp.
"I’m glad you’re here."
"Why hasn’t Alexander come for his father’s memorial?" Lilly couldn’t keep her question to herself, unaware that it would lead to revelations.
"Since his father’s death, Alexander has avoided this place and the shrine because it brings him too much pain," Grandma Helen said sadly.
"How so?"
Grandma Helen looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "His mother is the cause of his pain. She was a terrible wife and mother, and her infidelity led to his father’s tragic death. He found her with another man, and in his grief and rage, he drove recklessly, resulting in his accident."
Lilly’s heart ached as she listened to Grandma Helen’s story and saw the tears on her wrinkled face. Her own eyes filled with tears as she took Grandma Helen in her arms.
"I’m so sorry for what happened," Lilly said softly.
Grandma Helen looked at her through her tears. "You’re not like his mother, and I trust you won’t follow in her footsteps. But if you want this marriage to last beyond the one year and five months, you will need to show Alexander you are different from her."
After sharing her story, Grandma Helen wiped her tears. "I know you love him, and it’s not just about money or status for you."
After spending time with Grandma Helen, Lilly returned home to the empty house. She sat in the living room, trying to process everything she had learned. The revelation about Alexander’s mother and the pain it caused him made her reflect on her own experiences with her father.
Exhausted, Lilly went upstairs, took a bath, and lay down to rest, planning to visit Grandma Helen again the next day.
In the middle of the night, a noise woke her from sleep. Alone in the house except for the guards outside, Lilly got up to investigate.
As she approached the door, it swung open, and Alexander stumbled in, clearly drunk.
"Alexander, you’re back and you’ve been drinking?" Lilly rushed to support him as he nearly collapsed. Though he was heavy, she managed to guide him to the bed and began to remove his shoes, intending to help him out of his suit.
Before she could do more, he pulled her into his embrace. Their faces were close, and she could smell the alcohol on him.
In the month of their marriage, she had never seen him drunk; it seemed that his father’s memorial was his way of coping with his sorrow.
She tried to free herself from his hold, wondering if he would act this way if he were sober. She laughed at herself, knowing the answer.
"Mr. Kane, you need to let me help you out of your work clothes," she said, but he held on firmly.
"No," he murmured, barely coherent.
"But we can’t stay like this, and you’re not in your right state of mind."
"Shhh, I want to sleep," he said and closed his eyes.
Once she was sure he was asleep, she carefully extricated herself from his grip and helped him change into more comfortable clothing. She felt a flush at the sight of him, wondering how he could fit inside her.
After cleaning him up, she lay down on the other side of the bed, turned off the light, and settled in. Before long, he turned towards her and pulled her into his arms, holding her close as he slept peacefully.
When he awoke and saw them in this intimate position, things would surely become complicated.
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