Chapter 61: The Ending (Part II)

Alaric Vane heard the conversation between the two clearly. Seeing Sebastian North’s attentive and flattering manner, the jealousy and rage in his heart nearly shattered his reason. The next item was a diamond necklace; Alaric, expressionless, raised his paddle mechanically, increasing the bid again and again as if the money were merely numbers. He eventually won it at an overwhelming price, drawing the attention of the entire hall.

He tossed the bidding paddle to Jasper Vane beside him and shot a cold, provocative glance at Sebastian.

Sebastian merely arched an eyebrow and smiled noncommittally.

Seren Thorne found Alaric utterly unreasonable: {What is he even here for? Did he come specifically to throw money around and pull a sour face? He’s scared Evangeline so much she doesn't even dare to speak!}

During the intermission, Seren wanted to use the restroom. Just as she stood up from her seat, her heel accidentally tripped on her slightly long dress, causing her body to sway.

"Careful." Sebastian, being the closest to her, immediately stood up and gallantly steadied her arm.

Almost simultaneously, Alaric lunged to his feet with such force that he nearly knocked over his chair. Seeing Sebastian’s hand on Seren’s smooth arm, a terrifying storm instantly surged in the depths of his eyes.

Seren steadied herself and instinctively pulled her hand back: "Thank you, Mr. North, I'm fine."

Before she could finish, her wrist was snatched by Alaric. His grip was incredibly strong, pinching her painfully.

"Alaric, you're hurting me!" Seren frowned.

Alaric seemed not to hear her. He stared fixedly at Sebastian, his voice cold enough to drop icicles: "Sebastian North, stay away from her."

Facing his unconcealed hostility, Sebastian’s expression also cooled: "Mr. Vane, this is a public place. Please mind your words and actions. I was merely steadying a lady who nearly fell."

"She doesn't need your help," Alaric said syllable by syllable, pulling Seren away.

"Alaric Vane! What on earth do you want!" Seren was both angry and embarrassed, trying to break free from him.

{He's crazy! Completely insane! So many people are watching!}

At this moment, Alaric was blinded by jealousy. Only one thought remained in his mind—take her away, get her away from Sebastian North, hide her, and don't let anyone see her beauty, especially Sebastian!

Ignoring her struggle and the surrounding gazes, he dragged her forcefully through the crowd and strode toward the exit of the ballroom.

"Alaric! Let go of me!"

Alaric turned a deaf ear, stuffing her into the car and commanding the driver: "Home!"

The atmosphere in the car dropped to freezing point. Seren rubbed her reddened wrist, her eyes brimming with tears of anger: "Alaric Vane, you are being completely inexplicable! What right do you have to treat me like this? Didn't you say you weren't coming? Didn't you say you didn't care? You go to your auction, I'll go to mine. What's wrong with me having a normal conversation with Sebastian North? Who are you putting on this performance for!"

Alaric’s lips were pressed into a tight line, his profile tense, and his chest heaved as he remained silent.

{What is wrong with him? Did he take the wrong medicine?}

{Could it be... he’s jealous?}

The thought suddenly flashed into Seren’s mind, making her stun for a moment. She peeked at Alaric—his clenched fists, his profile suppressed with anger...

The car sped all the way back to the Vane ancestral home.

Alaric practically dragged Seren out of the car and pulled her back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut with a loud "Bang."

Mrs. Gable and the servants looked at each other in confusion, not daring to approach.

Inside the bedroom, Seren was completely incensed by his brute behavior: "Alaric Vane! Have you had enough of your madness!"

Alaric turned abruptly, pinning her against the door and trapping her with his arms. In his deep eyes, intense emotions she had never seen before were swirling—anger, unwillingness, panic, and a near-desperate possessiveness.

"Yes! I am mad!" he roared, his voice hoarse. "I am being driven mad by you! Seren Thorne!"

"Seeing you dressed so beautifully just to meet him! Seeing him fawning over you! Seeing you smile at him! Do you know how I feel?!" He was practically shouting now, the emotions suppressed all night finally exploding. "I want to gouge his eyes out! I want to lock you up at home so you can't go anywhere!"

Seren was frightened by him, staring at him blankly.

Alaric pressed his forehead against hers, his breath hot. There was a faint, nearly imperceptible tremble in his voice and... pain?

"You ask what right I have?" He looked at her with a gaze that seemed ready to consume her. "The right is that when I see you standing with someone else, here—" he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his left chest, "—it hurts so much I feel like I'm going to die!"

Beneath her hand came the violent and rapid thumping of his heart, making her palm go numb. Seren was completely dazed, her mind a total blank.

{He... he really is jealous?}

Alaric closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was flooded with a thick, undeniable affection and a resignation-like dejection.

"Yes, I’m jealous." He finally admitted, his voice low and gravelly, filled with endless regret and frustration. "I can't stand you looking at others, I can't stand others being near you, and I especially can't stand the way Sebastian North looks at you!"

"Seren Thorne, you win." He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him, his eyes burning with a desperate resolve. "I admit it. I care about you. I'm so jealous I'm going crazy! It’s not that I don't like you, I'm... I'm afraid!"

Afraid of falling, afraid she wouldn't care, afraid that all of this was just a mirage. So he escaped, he stayed stubborn, and he used coldness as a disguise.

Until tonight, seeing the scene of her standing with Sebastian North, that stinging image instantly shattered all his disguises and self-deception. Panic and jealousy were like poisonous vines tightly wrapping around his heart, making him unable to breathe or maintain his reason.

He could no longer deny it—he, Alaric Vane, had long ago fallen in love with Seren Thorne.

Seren stared at him blankly, seeing the undisguised love, pain, and longing in his eyes. Listening to his frantic heartbeat and his words that were almost a confession of his soul, she felt her own heart skip several beats, and a strange warm current surged through her body.

{He... likes me?}

{Doesn't he only like Evangeline Frost?}

"Who told you I like Evangeline Frost?" Alaric whispered against her forehead, both helpless and bitter. "My heart was long ago filled to the brim by a little vixen named Seren Thorne; there's no room for anyone else."

He lowered his head, gently kissing away the moisture at the corners of her eyes, his voice low and firm: "Seren, I'm not getting a divorce. Not before, not now, and certainly not in the future. Don't even think about it."

Having said that, he could no longer restrain himself and kissed her lips deeply.

This kiss was no longer marked by force or anger, but filled with the cherished feeling of something lost and found, surging love, and long-accumulated longing—gentle yet domineering, brook no refusal.

Seren was stiff at first, but gradually, in his hot and soulful kiss, her body softened, and her hands unknowingly climbed onto his shoulders.

She closed her eyes, and the last bit of doubt and persistence in her heart collapsed.

{So... he likes me too.}

Feeling her response, Alaric was ecstatic, deepening the kiss further...

The moonlight outside the window quietly spilled into the room, gently enveloping the two embracing figures.

It was a night of lingering tenderness.

The next morning, sunlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains.

Seren woke up in Alaric’s arms. As she looked up, she bumped into his deep, smiling eyes; he had long been awake, watching her for who knows how long.

Remembering the madness of last night and his confession, Seren’s cheeks heated up. She instinctively tried to hide, but he held her tighter.

"Why are you hiding?" Alaric chuckled, his voice carrying the hoarseness of morning, lethally sexy. "Mrs. Vane, last night you were the one who took the initiative..."

"Shut up!" Seren covered his mouth in embarrassment.

Alaric grabbed her hand, placed it by his lips, and kissed it. His gaze turned serious: "Seren, it was my fault before. I didn't dare admit my own heart, I said many bastardly things, and did many things that made you sad."

He paused and said solemnly, "I'm sorry. Give me a chance for us to start over, okay? No contracts, no perfunctory acts, but truly being a husband and wife."

Looking into his sincere eyes, the last bit of resentment in Seren’s heart vanished. She had actually fallen for him long ago, but because of the original book's plot and his attitude, she never dared to admit it and desperately tried to push him to someone else.

Now, all misunderstandings were resolved.

Her face flushed, she gave a soft "Mm," and actively leaned into his embrace.

Alaric’s heart was filled with a massive sense of happiness, and he held her tightly, as if holding the entire world.

When the two went down for breakfast, Mrs. Gable saw their tightly interlocked hands and the thick, undeniable atmosphere of sweetness between them. She immediately beamed and secretly sent a message to Jasper Vane: [The Young Master succeeded! Alarm canceled! The meadow is safe!]

In the dining room, Alaric meticulously served Seren food, being attentive in every way.

"By the way," Seren remembered last night’s events, "About Sebastian North..."

"I'll handle it," Alaric interrupted her, his tone gentle but unquestionable. "Stay away from him in the future. I get jealous." He made no effort to hide his possessiveness now.

Seren didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but her heart was sweet: "Then the things from the auction..."

"Send them back." Alaric didn't even think about it. "Whatever you like, I’ll buy it for you. You can only accept mine." He paused and added, "Jasper’s gifts won't do either."

Seren couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Alaric Vane, you are such a jealous jar!"

"Mm, I’ll only be a jealous jar for you." Alaric admitted without changing his expression, leaning in to give her a light peck on the lips.

Sunlight filled the dining room, warm and bright.

All the testing, misunderstandings, bitterness, and insecurity were in the past. What remained was the certainty and sweetness after confirming each other's feelings.

Their story had finally moved from a cold agreement to a fulfillment filled with love.