Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1722: Staying up late with someone

Meanwhile...

Haines sat on the couch in the living area, eyes fixed on the table where his phone rested, arms propped on his legs. After the conversation, he had been sitting there alone, thinking about everything he'd heard.

'So, Noel... 'he thought. 'She...'

Another deep breath escaped him, still unsure how to fully process it. Learning what happened to his former lover had given him a kind of closure he never knew he needed. But just when he thought there was nothing more to uncover, he realized―

This was far from over.

Even so, it all started to make sense.

It explained why Noel had always felt a little distant, even when she was

physically close. Why she seemed restless at times. Why she'd sometimes look at him with guilt or longing, even while in his arms.

Why her story had never quite added up.

Why she had been in the place where she died.

It now made sense to Haines-and it was clear what her answer would've been

had he asked her that night to be with him.

She hadn't left to fix things and come back.

Noel had left that day with no intention of returning.

A bitter laugh slipped from him as he shook his head and briefly closed his eyes.

"There's no need to think about that," he murmured to himself. "What we had..."

The past they shared-something he had once considered the best years of his life—might have just been an illusion. An illusion he'd held onto all these years because he never got to see what would have happened if she hadn't disappeared.

With that, Haines pushed himself to his feet and dragged himself toward the bedroom. But just as he reached for the doorknob and opened the door, Grace was already standing on the other side-doing the same.

She was barely awake, hair slightly messy. She blinked slowly up at him and let out a shallow breath.

are you? It's

the door wider as

arms around him and rested her head against his

"I was trying to hug you, but you weren't there. I thought you just went to the bathroom, but

"Thought you left... and

his expression softening. A small smile curled at the corner of his

to bed," he whispered.

or I'll become a very grumpy

quiet chuckle escaped him. Hand in hand, they sauntered back

hadn't been

everything with Noel was just an illusion-one he convinced himself to believe in. His past

a part of

A part of himself.

it wasn't the best part

that had been

Grace would have to be the

he was loved, accepted, wanted, and appreciated. And honestly? He'd never

heart was finally in the right

someone who held him

[Skyline Plaza: Finn's]

large the

bedroom-he

a crime,' he told himself, heading straight for

turning on the lights as he set his things down and quietly approached the bed to check on Nina. But

quickly switching

blinked on,

Nina wasn't there.

stationed around

a

alert security. He didn't even consider checking elsewhere

reached the lobby,

"Finn?"

He turned slowly.

holding a