Colton, pampered since birth, had never experienced anything like this. Keanu, having made an impressive recovery after his hospital stay, swung his cane with precision, hitting the sensitive spots where the pain lingered longest. Colton's face drained of color, while Allison remained indifferent, as if the scene were unfolding in a faraway land.
“Get out! Neither of you will set foot in this mansion again without my permission!” Keanu bellowed, his voice echoing as he pushed them out. Once the door slammed shut, he collapsed onto the couch, his chest heaving.
Allison, unfazed, calmly poured him a glass of water. “Keanu, take care of your health. That cane has been with you for years; it would be a shame if it broke.”
Outside, Colton struggled to his feet, pulling Melany along. Before he could catch his breath, Allison's scornful words, carried on the wind, nearly sent him stumbling in fury. Did Allison really think she was worth less than a cane?
Keanu, sinking under the weight of it all, spoke in a quieter, regretful voice. “I feel sorry for you.” After decades in business, never shedding a tear, Keanu felt genuine remorse. He had raised an ungrateful soul, a disappointment who had betrayed his benefactor and tarnished the Stevens family reputation.
“Are you really never coming back?” Keanu asked, his voice tense.
Allison's expression was a mixture of sadness and certainty. In her mind, there was no debt to settle; this was simply the closing of a chapter.
“You know how I am,” she said carefully, “I’ve always hated unfinished business. Colton and I? That’s in the past. But you… I’ll always think of you as my grandfather. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll be there.”
Her words were both a promise and a farewell. Keanu, understanding, sighed deeply. After exchanging a few more words, he reluctantly walked her to the door. He watched her disappear into the garden, her grace undiminished. Her figure blended into the vegetation, and he was struck by her beauty and strength. He sighed sadly. “What a tangled web we weave.”
Outside the mansion, Melany clung to Colton’s arm, her eyes filled with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Colton. This is all my fault. If it weren’t for me, your grandfather wouldn’t be so angry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Colton reassured her, gently stroking her hair. “Grandpa has a temper. The more time we spend with him, the more he’ll see who you really are.” Even as he spoke, his thoughts returned to Allison. Her distant, serene attitude made him increasingly uncomfortable. Allison had always kept a polite distance from her mother, too. The woman who had once shared his life now seemed a distant shadow. He felt something essential slipping away.
But no, Melany was the woman he loved, the one he’d fought for. He hugged her tighter, then took her hand. “We’ll go back to the mansion when Grandpa calms down. He’s stubborn, but he’ll come to his senses. In the meantime, let’s go back to the villa. I’ve had your old room cleaned and prepared.”
Colton had no idea what was in store for him. As they approached the villa, he saw men in black suits cleaning up.
“One more load and we’re done!” one worker shouted.
Colton stopped. His eyes followed the workers as they removed everything related to Allison: elegant vases, clothes she had designed for him, even the wallpaper. There was no trace of her left.