Chapter 346
Irene sat down next to Joseph, he couch cushion sinking under her weight. The soft light from the lamp caught the edges of an old photo album spread across his lap.
“What’s this?” she asked, leaning in to see faded photos behind plastic.
Joseph ran his fingers over a picture of a beautiful young woman standing next to a handsome man. Their smiles shone through despite the photo’s age.
“My Elizabeth,” he said softly. “We were so young back then.”
Irene studied the photo. Young Joseph stood tall and confident, nothing like the frail man beside her now, but his eyes hadn’t changed–still sharp and kind.
“You hardly ever talk about her,” Irene said.
Joseph smiled, turning to another page. “Some things you just keep close to your heart.” His eyes crinkled. “We caused quite a stir back then. My family thought she wasn’t good enough–just a teacher’s daughter, no fancy background.”
He laughed quietly. “I told my father exactly where he could stick his opinions. Almost got kicked out of the family for it.”
Irene’s eyes widened. “You? Mr. Family–Comes–First?”
“Even old folks were young and stupid once.” Joseph winked. “Watching you and Adam together reminds me of us. The way he jumped to protect you tonight–spitting image of me with Elizabeth.
Irene smiled gently. “I’m glad you approve. After everything that’s happened, your support means the world to me.”
Joseph patted her hand. “You two were inevitable from day one. I knew it before you did.”
“Everything’s happening so fast,” she admitted.
“That’s how it goes.” Joseph closed the album. “Falling for someone is the easy part. Sticking together when life gets messy–that’s the real challenge.”
The wind picked up outside, rustling through the trees.
“The Havens won’t make things easy,” Joseph continued, his voice turning serious. “Old money, old attitudes. They’ll see three kids and a complicated past. They’ll see you as an outsider.”
Irene sat up straighter. “I couldn’t care less what they think. As long as the kids are happy and you’re in our corner–that’s all that
matters.”
Joseph nodded approvingly. “You’re tougher than Elizabeth was. She worried too much about fitting in.” He patted Irene’s hand. “Adam.picked well.”
Tiredness suddenly deepened the lines on Joseph’s face. Irene helped him up, supporting his weight as they headed toward the
stairs.
At the first step, Joseph paused. “Whatever happens, I’m on your side. Always have been.”
After getting him settled upstairs, Irene came back to the living room and sank into the couch. Her fingers found the necklace Adam had given her, touching the tiny neuron pendant while replaying the past few days. The kidnapping. The rescue. Adam telling her he
loved her.
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Chapter 346
It felt like someone else’s life. Yet the pendant against her skin made it all real.
Aty whole life flipped upside down in just a few days, she thought, smiling to herself. And somehow, It feels exnetly right.
Morning sunlight cut through the blinds in Adam’s office. He scroller through reports on his computer as Thomas walked in with
coffee.
“Victor’s out. Thomas said without any greeting. “Got released an hour ago. Some nobody took the blame–said Victor had nothing to do with it, claimed he made the whole thing up for cash.
Adam barely looked surprised, just irritated. “Eigured as much. Guys like that never stay locked up long.” He shut his laptop. “Get legal on it. I want his accounts frozen by tonight.”
Thomas nodded, jotting it down. “Should we tell Irene?”
“Not yet.” Adam tapped his desk once. “Let’s handle this first. No point making her worry,”
He turned to look out the window at the city below. Last night played in his mind–holding Irene, feeling her safe in his arms. That strange warmth in his chest when she’d fallen asleep against his shoulder during treatment.
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