Chapter 51: Are You Coming Home Tonight?

Elias's sudden outburst was like a flash of cold lightning splitting the tranquil air, freezing everything around him for a brief moment. Alia stood to the side, startled. She had never seen Elias lose control like this. His eyes burned with more than just anger—they were filled with deep anxiety and unease. Wasn't he always nonchalant, with that carefree, devil-may-care attitude? Yet now, he seemed as if someone had struck a nerve he could never compromise on.

Unlike Alia's shock, Marcellus appeared calm, as if he had anticipated this reaction. With a quiet sigh, he lifted his gaze to meet Elias's fiery glare, his voice steady and resolute. "It's her decision. She wanted to come, just to look. Edgar agreed too. Do you understand? Just to look."

"Just to look?" Elias let out a cold laugh, raising an eyebrow in obvious disdain. His gaze bore into Marcellus, as though searching for any hint of a lie in his expression. The fire in his eyes only seemed to grow. Yet, after a tense moment, his shoulders relaxed slightly, and he appeared to suppress his rage. Still, his eyes remained as sharp as blades as they shifted toward Alia.

Suddenly, he put on his usual devil-may-care smirk, but his tone carried an unmistakable edge of icy authority. "Livia, there's really nothing interesting here. You'd better head back. This is no place for a delicate young lady like you."

His words sounded mocking, but Alia knew Elias too well. He didn't truly mean to insult her; he was deliberately trying to drive her away. His intent was clear—he didn't want her here. Perhaps this place hid some secret he didn't want her to uncover, or maybe he simply didn't want Livia to face whatever memories might resurface. So, there is something here… Alia thought to herself, though her expression remained composed.

Just as she was about to play along and agree to leave for now, Marcellus's voice cut through the tension, cold and unyielding. "And why should she leave, Elias?"

His words landed like a thunderclap, making Elias's expression darken instantly.

"She's my wife, the lady of this house, and your sister-in-law. You should be listening to her. She's not your wife!" Marcellus stepped forward, placing himself between Elias and Alia. His tone was filled with displeasure and authority, his sharp gaze locked onto Elias's. Clearly, he wasn't planning to back down.

Elias's expression shifted, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. He narrowed his eyes and let out a low, humorless laugh. "Sister-in-law?" he repeated, emphasizing the words with bitter sarcasm. "If you really cared about her, you wouldn't have let her come here in the first place! Do you think this is some idyllic countryside picnic?"

The atmosphere grew tense, as though a storm was about to break. The two men stared each other down, their gazes clashing like blades, an invisible tension crackling between them. The surrounding guards and attendants held their breath, afraid to provoke either man.

Alia stood silently to the side, watching the confrontation.

Elias sneered, his voice low and cutting, as if the words were dragged from his throat. "All of this, every bit of it, is because of your greed, Marcellus. Do you really think you can keep this secret forever? One day, it'll destroy you, destroy Livia, destroy all of us!"

His words struck like daggers, aimed straight at Marcellus's heart. After delivering his final blow, Elias shook off his anger and turned to leave. He took a few steps, then stopped, turning back to look at Alia. His gaze was complex, conflicted, as though he had a thousand unsaid words, or perhaps a silent warning for her not to dig deeper.

Alia met his gaze evenly, her expression calm, though her thoughts churned like a stormy sea. Elias's final words echoed in her mind: "One day, it'll destroy you…"

As Elias's figure disappeared into the distance, Marcellus remained rooted in place, his eyes dark as he watched his brother leave. He stayed silent for a long time, the oppressive tension still hanging in the air like the calm before a storm.

Alia broke the silence with a soft voice. "I don't want to see anymore today. Let's go home." Her tone was steady, her expression giving nothing away, as if the earlier confrontation had never happened. She turned and walked toward the car, her dress fluttering slightly, concealing the turmoil in her heart.

Marcellus followed quietly, his hard expression softening as he neared her. He spoke in a low voice, laced with a hint of concern. "Are you tired?"

Alia didn't answer, only nodded lightly. Without another word, they entered the car. The doors closed, shutting out the chaos outside. The interior was silent, save for the sound of wind rushing past the windows.

After a while, Alia turned her head and asked, her voice low but clear, "Are you coming home tonight?"

Marcellus paused, momentarily taken aback, before a faint smile appeared on his lips. He nodded. "Of course, I'm coming home." His voice was deep and gentle, carrying an unexpected lightness.

Hearing his reply, a soft blush crept across Alia's cheeks. She turned to look out the window, her heartbeat quickening. The scenery blurred as it sped past, but she paid it no mind.

In the quiet car, Alia finally broke the silence again, her tone cautious and probing. "Why was Elias there? Why was he so angry?"