Alfred, the family patriarch, finds a rare moment of peace and harmony within the Wyndham family during a gathering in the grand dining room. Despite his heavy heart, he feels a subtle relief seeing genuine smiles and laughter, especially noting the surprising change in Sia, who now admires rather than resents Isla. Alfred declares that no one is to mention Delphine in Isla’s presence, emphasizing respect for her as the daughter-in-law, and then adjourns the meeting.
He praises Gabriel for honoring the family and grants him a month off work to care for his pregnant wife, Isla. Alfred also privately acknowledges Isla’s efforts, expressing pride in her but requesting a private conversation in his study. This request unsettles Gabriel and the others, though Alfred promises a proper celebration after Isla’s first trimester.
In the study, Alfred appears weary and confesses to Isla his mixed feelings about his efforts to unite the family. He hints at hidden truths he has kept for years and initially planned to reveal after the most dangerous stage of her pregnancy. However, Isla insists on knowing everything now, expressing her need for transparency for Gabriel’s sake and the future of their children.
Alfred reluctantly reveals a shocking secret: Gabriel is his only grandson, a statement that confuses and unsettles Isla, raising questions about the other family members. The conversation ends with Alfred warning that some truths are more dangerous than lies, leaving the room heavy with long-held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Alfred closed his eyes briefly, allowing the quiet in the grand dining room to settle around him like a gentle embrace. His breathing was slow and measured, his chest rising and falling with a calm rhythm. Despite the heaviness weighing on his heart, the warmth radiating from his family members brought him a subtle sense of relief.
It had been many years since he had witnessed such genuine harmony within these walls. Laughter flowed freely, untainted by pretense or hidden agendas. Smiles were sincere, not marred by envy or rivalry. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a faint glimmer of peace seemed to have returned to the Wyndham family.
Alfred’s gaze swept over everyone carefully.
Landon sat beside Isla, his face alight with joy as he tried to coax a laugh from her. Nearby, Sia stood quietly, her earlier coldness replaced by something Alfred could only describe as a tentative admiration. The transformation in Sia was the most unexpected of all. Alfred had long since given up hope that she would ever change, convinced she was beyond reach. Yet here she was, genuinely smiling and celebrating alongside Isla and Gabriel, as if old grudges had simply vanished.
A faint, weary smile touched Alfred’s lips—a smile born of years of knowing and enduring.
At this point, it no longer mattered to him who was pretending and who was sincere. What truly counted was that peace had finally found a home in this family.
He had long since lost faith in Anna and Wyatt. Those two thrived in chaos, and at his age, Alfred no longer had the strength to keep repairing broken souls who refused to heal.
Still, as the family patriarch, his word was law.
He opened his eyes and spoke, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
“From this moment forward,” he declared, “no one is to mention or bring up the matter of Delphine in Isla’s presence again.”
The room fell silent instantly. The atmosphere shifted palpably. Everyone sat up straighter, as if bracing themselves.
“Isla,” Alfred continued, his tone sharpening, “is the daughter-in-law of this family. She deserves the utmost respect and kindness. I expect my words to be understood clearly by all.”
No one dared to respond.
“Therefore,” he said, pushing his chair back and rising slowly, “this meeting is adjourned.”
The sharp click of his cane against the marble floor echoed through the room as he stepped forward. His eyes softened when they landed on Gabriel.
“I am truly proud of you,” he said sincerely. “You have honored this family. For that reason, I am granting you a full month off from work. Rest, and take care of your pregnant wife—she needs you now more than ever.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened in surprise before softening with relief. A whole month off was an extraordinary gift. He had always managed to take a few days when necessary, but this was different—this was permission to live without pressure, to be fully present with the woman he loved.
His heart swelled with warmth, and a smile tugged at his lips.
“Thank you, Grandfather,” he said softly, his voice respectful but filled with joy.
The old man reached out and shook Gabriel’s hand firmly, his silent approval clear. Then Alfred turned toward Isla.
Sia and Mia quickly stepped aside as the patriarch approached her. His gaze softened as it rested on her radiant face.
“You have made me proud, my dear,” Alfred said gently. “I am truly pleased with you.” He paused, his expression growing serious. “But right now, we need to have a private conversation—just you and me—in my study.”
The lighthearted mood shifted abruptly. Gabriel’s brow furrowed, and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
Noticing their concern, Alfred gave a faint smile. “We will celebrate properly after her first trimester,” he added, his voice gentler now. “You have my word.”
Though that eased the tension somewhat, Gabriel remained uneasy. Why would Grandfather want to speak to Isla alone?
“Come, Isla,” Alfred said, motioning toward the door. “Let’s talk.”
Isla stood immediately, though her heart beat faster. Before following, she reached out and squeezed Gabriel’s hand softly, reassuring him with a silent promise that all was well.
He nodded, but his eyes lingered on her until she disappeared through the door beside Alfred.
As they left, the room’s tension returned. John rose quietly and placed a steady hand on Gabriel’s shoulder.
“Your… only grandson?” she whispered, disbelief thick in her voice.
He nodded calmly, though sadness shadowed his features.
Her heart hammered painfully in her chest. What could he mean? What about Wyatt? Landon? Were they not his grandsons? Or was there something more?
She stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in slowly.
“Grandfather,” she said, voice shaking, “what are you trying to say? Are you telling me that—”
He raised a trembling hand to silence her. His eyes were misty now, filled with an emotion she couldn’t yet name—something like regret, sorrow, and perhaps fear.
“Some truths,” he murmured, “are far more dangerous than lies.”
And with that, the room fell silent once more—laden with secrets that had waited far too long to be uncovered.
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing the fragile balance between hope and lingering uncertainty within the Wyndham family. Alfred’s efforts to foster harmony reveal both the strength and the vulnerability of those bound by blood and shared history. Isla’s courage to seek the truth amidst hidden pain underscores a deep yearning for honesty and connection, even as the shadows of past secrets threaten to unsettle the fragile peace.
In this quiet moment of revelation and restraint, the characters stand at a crossroads—between the comfort of unity and the challenge of confronting long-buried truths. The emotional weight carried by Alfred and Isla hints at the complexities yet to unfold, reminding us that love and loyalty often demand both sacrifice and bravery. The chapter leaves us suspended in a delicate silence, where the promise of understanding is tempered by the gravity of what remains unspoken.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the heavy secrets Alfred has kept hidden for years, secrets that could reshape the very foundation of the Wyndham family. Isla’s determination to uncover the truth sets the stage for intense emotional revelations, and the fragile peace that has just begun to settle may soon be tested. Readers will be drawn into the complex dynamics between family loyalty, trust, and the burden of long-held mysteries.
As Alfred’s cryptic words hang in the air, the tension between past and present will grow, stirring questions about Gabriel’s true place within the family and the fate of those around him. The unfolding conversation between Isla and Alfred will likely reveal more than just facts—it will expose vulnerabilities, regrets, and perhaps the first cracks in the unity everyone has fought so hard to achieve. Expect emotions to run high as loyalties are challenged and the characters must confront truths that could change everything.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Extraordinary Bride Of The Wyndham Family (Isla and Gabriel)