Chapter141 – I’ll protect her
The words spilled from her lips like a dam breaking—things she had kept locked inside for too long. As they finally left her, she felt lighter. Exposed, but somehow at peace.
Clarissa drew in a shaky breath and leaned gently against the cold marble, her forehead resting against it. Silent tears slid down her cheeks.
“Mom… I miss you so much.”
.......
Outside the cemetery, as Atticus and Ophelia stepped into the soft light, they spotted someone walking toward them.
“Nathaniel?”
“Is Dorian at your place?” he asked. “I didn’t see him outside.”
“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “He didn’t come to mine either.”
Atticus stepped in calmly. “His wife came by earlier. They left together.”
“What?” Nathaniel frowned. “How could Dorian and Lyra just leave like that? They should’ve stayed and paid their respects. That’s… that’s unacceptable.”
It was clear something had happened between them—and not something good.
Ophelia sighed quietly. She glanced toward Atticus, then gently pulled Nathaniel’s sleeve. “Enough. The boy’s right here.”
Nathaniel gave a deep sigh, regaining his composure. “Where’s Clarissa?”
“She’s with Clementine,” Ophelia said. “Let’s wait in the pavilion.”
He nodded, and the three of them headed to the shaded structure nearby.
...........
Seated in the pavilion, Nathaniel observed Atticus. The boy—no, the man—was striking. Just sitting there quietly, he had a calm magnetism that made the rest of the world blur in comparison.
“Atticus,” Nathaniel said after a beat, “Clarissa told me you’re about to graduate.”
Atticus nodded. “Just waiting for the ceremony.”
“And after that? Have you figured out your next steps?”
“I’ve studied financial management, some medicine, and physical science. After graduation, I’m planning to spend some time helping my mentor.”
“Oh? Who’s that?”
“Phoenix,” Atticus answered. “She’s been having some issues lately. She needs my support...”
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow in impressed surprise. “A bright future ahead. You’re part of a new generation—limitless. We’re already getting old.”
Atticus smiled. “Uncle, you’re at your most charming age. You and Aunt still look like you’re in your thirties.”
Ophelia laughed and covered her mouth playfully. “You really know how to flatter someone. No wonder Clarissa smiles so much these days.”
“I usually just make her mad,” Atticus said with a mock sigh.
“We’re amazed, honestly,” Nathaniel said warmly. “We didn’t expect Clarissa to adopt you, let alone raise you the way she did.”
Atticus tilted his head. “Why?”
Nathaniel’s expression turned thoughtful. “Clarissa had a serious illness when she was young. She recovered, but her health has never been perfect. We’ve always felt guilty, so we gave her everything—spoiled her, honestly.”
He chuckled softly. “She grew up proud, stubborn, a little too sure of herself. When she found out she wasn't our biological daughter, we worried she’d spiral. That her personality would turn reckless, even cruel.”
“But she didn’t,” Ophelia added. “Somehow, she became more grounded, more gentle.”
Nathaniel nodded. “More mature than we ever expected.”
Nathaniel’s words made something flicker in Atticus’s eyes. The Clarissa Nathaniel described and the woman Atticus knew... they felt like two different people.
“When did you first notice sis had changed?” he asked softly.
Ophelia tilted her head, thinking for a moment. Then her eyes lit up. “Oh! I remember—it was when your uncle and I rushed back from abroad… Clarissa had a falling out with Lyra. She hit her head that day.”
She sighed, a shadow passing over her features. “I think that shook her deeply. Something in her shifted. She matured overnight. It broke my heart.”
Tears welled in Ophelia’s eyes as she spoke. Nathaniel reached over, giving her hand a gentle, comforting squeeze.
“Don’t cry,” he murmured. “We can still make it up to her.”
Then he turned to Atticus. “Take care of her. Promise me that. Don’t let her get hurt again..”
Atticus lowered his gaze, hiding the storm behind his lashes. Then he looked up and smiled, slow and sure. “I will. I’ll protect her, love her—do whatever it takes. You have my word.”
Just then, the sharp click of high heels echoed behind them.
Clarissa’s voice followed close behind. “Mom? Dad? Atticus? What were you three talking about just now?” She caught sight of Ophelia’s watery gaze. “Mom, were you crying?”
She hadn’t heard the full conversation—only the last thing Atticus had said. I’ll protect her. Love her. Those words echoed in her heart, making it skip a beat.
Trying to brush it off, she walked quickly toward Ophelia.
Ophelia hurriedly wiped her eyes and forced a smile. “No, no. I wasn’t crying. Just a bit of dust in my eyes.”
Clarissa arched a brow. As if I’d believe that. But she sat down beside her and smiled gently. “Let me see.”
“No need, really. I’m fine now. Are you finished talking with… her?”
Clarissa nodded. “Yes. It’s done.”
“Then Atticus and I will go pay our respects to Lady Clementine, and afterward we’ll head home.”
Nathaniel stood, and Atticus followed silently behind him, falling into step with a quiet grace.
Ophelia watched them leave, then turned back to Clarissa with a thoughtful look. “Clarissa… Atticus really is an exceptional young man.”
Hearing her mother’s praise made Clarissa’s heart warm. She couldn’t stop the soft smile that curved her lips.
“He is,” she said quietly. “But…”
“But?” Ophelia probed gently.
Clarissa hesitated, then shook her head. “Nothing. It’s nothing. Mom, I’ve been thinking—I want to take a short break. Go out, clear my head.”
“That’s fine,” Ophelia said without missing a beat. “Take Atticus with you. And when you’re ready, come work at the Lancaster Group, alright?”
Clarissa shook her head. “No. I want to build something of my own.”
Ophelia frowned slightly. “That’s too much work. We have companies ready to go. Just take one, sweetheart.”
Before Clarissa could reply, Ophelia grabbed her hand, eyes suddenly firm. “Don’t say no. I’ll be angry.”
Clarissa sighed, amused. “Fine. Then just let Dad give me a building. I’ll handle the rest.”
Ophelia relaxed immediately. “That’s better. Pick the one you want. We’ll make sure you have the right people and support. Just ask.”
“I won’t hold back.” Clarissa smiled, her voice light.
Ophelia squeezed her hand. “Clarissa… if there’s ever anything you want, anything at all—just say it. Your dad and I will do everything we can.”
There was a pause. Then, more cautiously, Ophelia added, “Can I ask you something, sweetheart?”
“Can you try to get along with your sister? Just… make an effort—for us, alright?”
Clarissa’s heart gave a tight little twist, but she smoothed it over with a soft smile.
“Mom…” Her voice was calm, but it carried weight. “You and Dad came here for Lyra, didn’t you?”
Ophelia’s expression faltered. She gripped Clarissa’s hand tighter. “No—it’s not what you think. Something happened between Lyra and Dorian. We were worried. But that doesn’t mean we don’t care about you, Clarissa…”
The way Ophelia looked at her—nervous, pleading—made Clarissa’s chest ache with a slow, bitter heat.
She nodded gently. “I know. Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll try. I’ll be the bigger person. I’ll get along with her.”
.......
Atticus and Nathaniel returned not long after. Nathaniel and Ophelia were preoccupied.
“This place is close to my house,” she said with a smile. “Mom, Dad—if you need to go deal with things, don’t worry about me.”
They lingered for a few more questions—Are you sure you’re alright? Will Atticus walk you home?—but eventually left once Clarissa assured them everything was fine.
The moment their car disappeared down the road, the faint smile slowly slipped from her lips.