Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld

Chapter 176 I Wanted to Be There for Lela

As Lela watched the faint light in Flora's eyes slowly extinguish, panic took hold of her. She rose from Flora's embrace, cupping her sister's pure and beautiful face in her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mom's gone, but you still have me. You need to live. Let me stay by your side, okay?"

At that moment, Lela couldn't think of anything else. She didn't know if her actions were selfish; she just wanted Flora to stay alive. After such a long search, she had only recently confirmed they were sisters.

The stories that her mother told were not that many, and Lela had been too young then to grasp much of the situation.

That's why the search had taken so long.

She didn't want to lose Flora.

Tears fell despite her efforts of holding them in, making this only the second time Lela had wept in her life.

Flora, heart aching at the sight, gently wiped her tears, then tenderly cleared the tears from the corners of Lela's eyes, offering her a frail smile. "Okay, I promise to be there for you, always."

Flora was exhausted, now yearning to simply be there for Lela.

felt like starting over

nodded vehemently, holding her sister close,

eyes downcast and tinged with mixed emotions. He

early morning; Lela lay in bed wearing a pink strappy nightgown, her delicate collarbones and slender, and fair ankles exposed. Her peaceful face was the picture of serenity in sleep. Flora lay beside

in to press a kiss to Lela's forehead, a smile gracing her

work awaited Flora; it was time to

slowly and

in his loungewear, scanning the latest financial news without much of an

this world, his sole gentleness,

heart had no room

Lela clinging to Flora, he hadn't even managed to

if this woman was Lela's sister,

gave Sylvester a deep bow, her demeanor respectful and earnest. "I want to thank Mr. Gomez for his hospitality these past few days. I must be

the couch, his attitude detached and nonchalant. At her words, he let out a scoff and frowned, "If you leave, Lela will surely be upset. As for the rest, spare me