One night stand with my president(chapter 356)

Chapter 356: She Did Guess It Right 

The house of the three of them was cozy and warm.

As soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere of daily life surrounded them. 

There were potted plants on the windowsill, half-eaten cheese on the dining table with a few slices of toast, stuffed animals scattered across the couch, and a soft carpet on the floor, with toys strewn about.

But there was something else that caught

Harrison's eye-a huge family photo on the living room wall.

It was a picture of Edward and Britney holding Alondra, all of them smiling joyfully.

Harrison's eyes were immediately stung by the image.

In that instant, he felt it so clearly-his family's longing for Edward and the tears they had shed for him had been turned into a cruel joke.

"Harrison, and... this young lady, please take a seat," Edward said cautiously.

The little girl, Alondra, stayed by his side, her eyes curious as she looked at Harrison.

It was the first time she had ever known she had a brother. She had never heard her parents tell her about him.

Harrison sat down on the couch in silence.

Adeline sat beside him.

Edward took a seat on the opposite couch.

"Would you like some coffee?" Britney offered, bringing over two cups of coffee. 

"It's chilly outside. A warm drink might help."

The aroma of the coffee was inviting, steam rising from the cups.

But neither Harrison nor Adeline had the slightest desire to drink it.

"How's the family? Is everyone fine?" Edward asked softly.

"The family? You mean my grandfather, who almost ended up in the hospital because he couldn't eat after hearing you are 'dead? Or my mom, who nearly cried her eyes out holding your picture? Or my uncle, who drank himself into stomach bleeding after hearing the news of your death? Or my aunt, who was so distraught that she had a car accident and almost didn't make Harrison's voice was cold, and every word hit like a hammer.

What he said was all true.

When Edward "died," the family had been devastated.

He had an aunt who was very close to Edward.

After hearing the news of the "accident," she drove back home, but on the way, grief overwhelmed her, and she crashed the car. It was a serious accident.

Thankfully, she survived.

At Harrison's words, Edward's face drained of color. His hands were shaking violently, and he kept his head down, as though he couldn't bear to look at Harrison.

"What exactly happened that year?" 

Harrison's voice was cold and demanding.

Edward trembled, unable to answer. It was Britney who spoke up instead.

"I'll explain," Britney said, her voice steady.

"Really, it's all my fault."

As soon as she said that, Harrison's ice-

cold gaze fixed on her.

Britney flinched slightly but quickly regained her composure.

"I met your father in Mugroaton, and we fell in love at first sight. Everything he did, he did for me—he staged his death, and we ran away together."

She finished, fully expecting Harrison to erupt with anger.

But to her surprise, Harrison just smiled.

Though his smile was tinged with sarcasm and bitterness.

"So, that explosion back then was really your idea? You lied to everyone and made us all believe you were dead, just so you could elope with this woman?"

Adeline, sitting beside him, was completely stunned.

She'd guessed this scenario yesterday, and at the time, had scolded herself for thinking such an absurd thought.

But now, she couldn't believe that something so ridiculous had actually happened.

"Harrison, I'm so sorry..."

Edward began crying again, his head hanging low, as if he might kneel before Harrison.

"It was my fault. I... I loved her so much that I wanted to be with her. But I knew your grandfather would never agree to me divorcing your mom. I felt suffocated in the Thomson family, and I just wanted to escape. I didn't know what else to do..."

Harrison almost laughed.

How ridiculous. Even now, he was still talking about his "helplessness."

"Did you ever think about what this would do to your family?" Harrison shouted, his voice full of rage. "Did you ever think about that?"

Edward was silent, unable to meet his eyes. 

He wished he could bury his head in the couch cushions.

Of course, he had thought about it.

Edward knew, deep down, that his family would be devastated after his "death."

 he didn't care anymore.

All Edward wanted was freedom, to be with the woman he loved, and to live a life without worry or responsibility.

So, he forced himself not to think about the feelings of his family.

In the end, he was just an incredibly selfish person.

He cared more about his own desires than the well-being of anyone else, even his own family and loved ones.

Britney said again, "What your father and I have is true love..."

"This lady," Adeline Interrupted coldly, "could you please stop talking for a moment?"

Her tone was sharp, unable to hide the anger she felt.

Seeing Harrison in so much pain, she was heartbroken.

And as for the so-called "true love", even if Harrison's parents had been in a marriage of convenience, they were still married, with a son.

Before they even divorced, Edward had started an affair with Britney. How was that anything but infidelity?

Infidelity was infidelity. There was no need to sugarcoat it with talk of "true love."

Not to mention, they'd come up with this ridiculous "fake death" scheme.

Britney shot a glance at Adeline and was about to say something else. But seeing the harshness in Adeline's eyes, she immediately kept her mouth shut.

Edward took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he said, "Harrison, this is all my fault. I can't ask for your forgiveness, but now that I see you've grown up so well, I'm truly relieved."

"Enough," Harrison snapped, his anger flaring.

Before coming here, there had still been a small part of him that held on to some hope.

He had imagined that maybe there was something he didn't understand; maybe Edward hadn't meant to hurt anyone; and maybe he still cared about the Thomson family.

But after he saw that family photo and heard Britney's words, all his fantasies shattered in an instant.

He felt as though he couldn't stay here any longer.

If he did, he might lose his sanity.

"Adeline, let's go," he said, his voice strained.

Adeline immediately stood up, gripping his arm tightly.

She could feel the weight of the blow he had just suffered, and she was afraid he might collapse.

"Harrison," Edward called, stood up as well, and walked toward him, as if trying to stop him.

"Don't come any closer!" Harrison shouted immediately.

Edward wasn't dead, and that should have made Harrison happy. But now, that

happiness was buried under a mountain of anger, heartbreak, sadness, and resentment.