After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 164: Dying of Heartache

"What did you just say?"

Alice York asked, turning her head.

Finn Hawthorne raised a hand, scratched his brow, then looked up at the sky. "I said, the weather is nice today. It’s a good day for us to go home."

’Us?’

’Who’s "us" with you!’

’Wait...’

’Why did she feel like that wasn’t what she’d just heard? It sounded more like "she’s going to get what’s coming to her." Was this guy still thinking about getting revenge on me?’

’Looks like I’ll have to watch my back on the way.’

"Grandpa, Grandma, I’m leaving now." Alice York waved, formally bidding the old couple farewell.

"Drive safely."

The elderly couple saw them off outside the courtyard, not looking away until the car was out of sight, their gazes filled with reluctance.

"Dear, don’t you think that brat looks a little like our Little Girl at first glance?" The old man finally said what he had been holding in for a long time. "I’ve thought so since the day they arrived."

The old woman asked, "How so?"

The old man said, "Their faces look alike."

The old woman shook her head, disagreeing. "How do they look alike? Our Little Girl is so beautiful. That boy looks like a toad. Don’t you dare compare him to our Little Girl."

Meanwhile, Finn Hawthorne, who was driving, suddenly sneezed. He pinched his nose and muttered, "Someone must be bad-mouthing me."

Alice York said, "It could also be rhinitis, or a cold."

Finn Hawthorne immediately seized on her words. "Then maybe it’s because I didn’t sleep well last night and caught a bit of a chill. When we get to the city, will you take me to buy some medicine, please?"

Hearing this, Alice York’s brow furrowed, and she turned her head to look at him.

’Did he just say... please?’

Finn Hawthorne slowed the car and asked in a small voice, "You... you think I’m being a bother, don’t you? You don’t want to take me to buy medicine?"

Alice York finally couldn’t take it anymore. She hissed, "I’m not trying to be mean, but what the hell is wrong with you today, Finn Hawthorne? Have you lost your mind?"

Finn Hawthorne: "..."

Alice York continued, "Or is it that you think this is the perfect opportunity to get revenge on me, now that Wyatt Sterling isn’t around?"

As she finished speaking, the car slowly pulled over and stopped.

The moment Alice York saw him stop the car, she tensed up. Her hand went to the door handle, ready to get out at a moment’s notice. "Calm down. We can talk about this."

Finn Hawthorne had originally intended to stop the car to explain things properly to Alice York, but seeing the fear in her eyes, he felt a pang of heartache and regret.

"I’m sorry, Alice York."

Hearing this sudden apology from Finn Hawthorne, Alice York froze for a few seconds.

But this didn’t put her at ease. She remained vigilant. "Spit it out. You’re acting so strangely. What are you plotting?"

The more polite he was, the more panicked she felt. Ever since the first day she met him at the Sterlings’ residence, she knew this boy was a smiling tiger who took pleasure in messing with people in underhanded ways.

Being questioned again and again, Finn Hawthorne felt his heart was about to break.

He said slowly, word by word, "I am sincerely apologizing to you. What happened before was my fault. I will never do anything to hurt you again. From now on, I will protect you. I will only ever, ever protect you."

Alice York: "..."

Finn Hawthorne knew that no matter what he said now, Alice York probably wouldn’t believe him. So, he would just have to wait for the results.

Wait for the moment she also knew the truth.

Finn Hawthorne composed himself and continued driving. Along the way, he saw Alice York roll down her window, so he followed suit, letting the wind blow in. His mood was more cheerful than it had ever been.

After arriving at the airport, Alice York sat in the VIP lounge waiting to board. Finn Hawthorne vanished in the blink of an eye. Alice York didn’t look for him; it was better for them to go their separate ways.

She called Zoe Jenson and told her about what had happened in Rhovan. Wyatt Sterling’s name peppered her every sentence, though she herself didn’t realize how sweet and gentle her voice became whenever she mentioned him.

The sweetness was giving Zoe a toothache. "Alice, this isn’t good."

Alice York asked, "What isn’t?"

Zoe said, "Right now, that man is all you can see or think about. You’re completely love-addled. Let me tell you, you have to keep a piece of your heart for yourself. It’s your escape route, just in case one day..."

It wasn’t that Zoe was trying to be a wet blanket. With conversations like this between best friends, one of them had to stay clear-headed. Zoe was certain that if she were the one gushing about the man she loved, Alice York would be the one saying these exact same things to remind her to be careful.

"I know. I’m being careful." Alice York naturally understood that Zoe’s warning came from a good place. "It’s just that things are different now. He’s shown me so much of his heart, and I’ve seen everything he’s done."

Zoe sighed, knowing it hadn’t been easy for them, then asked, "So what’s his plan for your relationship status? You have to go public eventually, right? Or are you going to stay in the shadows forever, unable to see the light of day?"

This time, Alice York fell silent.

She had never asked Wyatt, nor had she heard him bring it up.

Their relationship was taboo. Even though they weren’t related by blood, going public would still cause a scandal. It would be just as Finn Hawthorne had said that day—a family disgrace.

"We have plenty of time. There’s no rush. He’ll handle it," Alice York said, maintaining a positive outlook and not dwelling on it.

"Alice..." For some reason, hearing Alice York’s words left Zoe with a sense of unease.

She had a bad feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Alice York knew what Zoe was worried about. "I won’t make the wrong choice this time. I want to trust him, just this once."

"Alright. It’s rare for you to give your heart to someone like this. I’m sure it will turn out well," Zoe could only offer her blessing.

After hanging up, Alice York clutched her phone, a little lost in thought. Zoe had hesitated several times during the call, on the verge of saying more. Of course Alice understood why. But since she had already made this bet, she wouldn’t let herself have any regrets.

"Alice York, I’m back!"

"Look what I bought for you!"

Alice York turned her head and saw Finn Hawthorne holding up a bag, the aroma of food wafting from it.

’He... went to buy food? I thought he’d left.’

"What did you buy?" Alice York shifted back a little.

It wasn’t out of disgust; it was because the bag in Finn Hawthorne’s hand was about to poke her.

Finn Hawthorne beamed. "I went to get you some food. Look, these are all specialty snacks from Rhovan. I thought you might like them. The line was so long, I’m exhausted."

Alice York almost thought she’d misheard.

’Young Master Hawthorne stood in line to buy food for her?’

’This was just...’

Finn Hawthorne added, "This is the first time in my life I’ve ever stood in line to buy something. But as long as it makes you happy, I’m willing to do anything for you." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"..."

’What on earth is this guy plotting?’

Seeing that Alice York wouldn’t take the bag, Finn Hawthorne looked a little dejected. "Do you not like these?"

Afraid he would think she was being ungrateful, Alice York explained, "I used to buy these all the time when I came back to Rhovan. I’m kind of sick of them."

"No wonder," Finn Hawthorne said, a hint of heartache in his voice. "I only bought them because they’re a Rhovan specialty. I didn’t realize you were already sick of them. When we get back, I’ll take you out for the best food."

Alice York pressed her hand to her forehead. "Well, thank you."

Hearing her say thank you, Finn Hawthorne felt even worse. ’My sister has suffered so much all these years,’ he thought. ’If Mom and Dad knew she was living like this, it would break their hearts.’