Alfred reveals to Isla that he has many secrets he has never shared before, and today he feels she deserves to know the truth. He admits to having made mistakes, particularly regarding his son John’s love for a woman named Janet. Alfred had disapproved of Janet because he wanted John to marry into the royal family for power and influence, but he now recognizes that he was wrong and that John truly loved Janet.
Alfred compares John’s love for Janet to Gabriel’s love for Isla, assuring her that Gabriel does love her deeply, even if he struggles to express it. He clarifies that Gabriel’s connection with Delphine predates Isla’s arrival in his life and is a mysterious bond that Alfred himself cannot understand. This secret is what Anna uses as leverage against Gabriel. Alfred confesses he once toyed with Gabriel’s heart to test his loyalty but regrets causing pain in the process.
Isla is both shocked and intrigued by these revelations, feeling the weight of the Wyndham family’s secrets pressing upon her. Alfred confirms that Gabriel is indeed his grandson, though there are more complicated details he is not ready to disclose. He also admits to having manipulated Isla’s test results and watching over the family closely, including Isla herself, whom he calls his first priority.
The conversation turns lighter as Alfred reveals he knows about Isla’s growing company in Teriporto, a secret she had intended to keep. He admits to letting her leave Wyndham Wardrobe so she could have the freedom to build her own success, using the opportunity to outsmart Anna. Despite Alfred’s dangerous and powerful nature, Isla senses a protective quality beneath his stern exterior, leaving her with a complex mixture of caution and curiosity.
“Don’t be startled, Isla,” Alfred said, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. “There are things about me you’ve never been told. Today, I’ll share a little—not because I want to, but because you deserve to know the truth.”
He paused, tightening his grip on the handle of his cane before slowly making his way back to his chair. The soft, deliberate sound of his footsteps filled the quiet study, creating a rhythm that seemed to stretch time itself. When he settled into his seat, Isla shifted slightly as well, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, fingers intertwined as if holding onto a fragile thread.
“I’ve made many mistakes, Isla,” he began, his voice dropping to a somber tone weighted with regret. “Mistakes I want to make right before my time runs out.”
Leaning back just a little, Alfred’s gaze drifted off into the distance, as if revisiting memories long buried beneath the years.
“My son, John, was deeply in love with a woman named Janet. She was beautiful, an orphan with a simple grace about her. But I… I convinced myself she wasn’t good enough for him.”
Isla’s breath caught, her lips parting slightly as she absorbed the revelation. Her chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths, the shock settling in slowly.
Alfred continued, “I was close to the royal family back then. That connection meant power and influence. I wanted to secure an alliance through John’s marriage—someone from the royal bloodline. I believed that was what our family needed. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
His eyes dropped to the surface of the desk, his voice softening with the weight of admission. “But I was wrong.”
He looked back up at her, his expression earnest. “John loved Janet with all his heart. Just like Gabriel loves you, Isla.”
The comparison tightened something in her chest. Love. The word felt heavy, almost cruel in its intensity. A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips, but she remained silent, unsure how to respond.
Alfred noticed her reaction. “You might not believe it,” he said gently, “but Gabriel truly loves you. He’s just… not very good at expressing it. He carries so much of me within him.”
Resting his elbows on the desk, he added, “And if you think he loves Delphine, you’re mistaken. Whatever bond Gabriel shares with that woman began long before you entered his life. They were children, connected by something I’ve never been able to understand. Even with all my knowledge, that remains a secret I could never unravel. And that,” his voice darkened slightly, “is the weapon Anna wields against him.”
Isla’s initial shock began to fade, replaced by a growing curiosity. She felt herself being drawn deeper into the complex web of secrets surrounding the Wyndham family. She had always suspected there were things hidden beneath the surface, but never imagined the truth ran this deep.
Alfred exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with resignation. “The truth is, I only toyed with my grandson’s heart as part of a small game. I wanted to see how far he would go—if he would return to the woman he once fancied, the gold-digger. But no, he didn’t. Instead, I heard he’s been suffering ever since.”
That confession pierced through Isla’s carefully guarded composure. Her expression softened despite herself. She had been angry for so long, but hearing that Gabriel had been in pain because of the misunderstanding last night made her heart ache.
“I’m sorry for hurting you in the process,” Alfred said quietly, his voice sincere. “Truly. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
And yet, beneath that danger, there was something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Something almost… protective.
The chapter gently peels back layers of family secrets and long-held regrets, revealing the complex emotions that bind Alfred, Isla, and Gabriel. Alfred’s confession offers a rare glimpse into his vulnerability, exposing the mistakes he’s eager to mend and the love that, despite its flaws, pulses at the heart of this family. Isla’s initial shock gives way to a tentative understanding, as she begins to see Gabriel’s love in a new light and recognizes the intricate, sometimes painful, ties that connect them all.
Amidst the revelations, a subtle shift occurs in Isla’s perception of Alfred—he is not merely a figure of authority and control, but also one who harbors a protective affection beneath his formidable exterior. The chapter closes on a note of cautious hope, as Isla feels the heavy weight of suspicion and doubt start to lift, replaced by a fragile sense of trust and the possibility of healing within this extraordinary family.
The next chapter promises to delve even deeper into the tangled emotions and hidden motivations that bind the Wyndham family. As Isla grapples with Alfred’s revelations, the fragile trust between her and Gabriel is poised to face new tests. The shadows of past mistakes and lingering secrets will challenge their relationship, stirring feelings of doubt, hope, and perhaps a renewed determination to uncover the full truth.
Meanwhile, Alfred’s cryptic hints about the family’s watchers and the enigmatic bond between Gabriel and Delphine suggest that not all is as it seems. The delicate balance of power and loyalty within the family could soon be disrupted, forcing Isla to navigate a labyrinth of alliances and betrayals. Readers will find themselves on edge, eager to see how Isla’s growing strength and Alfred’s mysterious influence will shape the path ahead.
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.

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