Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 94

Hearing her last few words, Leandro seemed to perk up a tad, even throwing back a question: "Starhaven?"

"Yeah." Seraphina replied, "I came back to investigate this case, and now that it's over, I guess I'll be heading back soon. Starhaven has plenty of tasty fruits; I reckon I can afford to treat you to some, Mr. Reynolds."

She smiled naturally, but there was no trace of the past in her eyes.

Leandro remained unmoved: "Not a fan of fruits."

At that, Seraphina tiptoed closer to him and asked, "Then what does Mr. Reynolds' interest?"

Leandro reached out to hold her face, quietly observing her.

Seraphina didn't resist; she just let him be, her smile unchanging.

Her skin was smooth under his fingers, just as before. Despite the years, her beauty was still distinctive.

Instead of answering her question, Leandro asked, "Are you okay with this?"

"With what?" Seraphina was puzzled.

Leaning in, Leandro said slowly, "You used to hate me; are you really okay with just leaving like this?"

Seraphina stared at him for a moment and gave a sigh after a moment of silence: "You've got it all wrong, Mr. Reynolds."

Leandro looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"Hate was a sentiment I harbored when I was young and naive. Then I grew up and let it go." Seraphina looked at him, her gaze sincere. "Mr. Reynolds, you just didn't like me; what's wrong with that? If there's anyone to blame, it's me for wishful thinking and for being shameless. Sometimes, love is the mistake, not the lack of it."

With that, Seraphina held up the fruits in her hand and said "I was cleaning these fruits for Grandpa; he's waiting; can you move?"

Perhaps it was the mention of Conway; Leandro watched her for a moment before finally releasing her to leave.

Leandro turned to watch her leave, lighting a cigarette by the kitchen counter.

So, love was the mistake, not the lack of it?

Then who was really at fault?

Seraphina stepped out with the fruits, and Conway was in the yard enjoying an opera. Seeing her, he frowned. "Why did you leave so soon?"

Seraphina gave him a glance and asked, "What else did you expect?"

Conway just smiled and asked, "Don't you know what your Grandpa wished for?"

"I don't." Seraphina put down the fruit plate and said, "I've got a meeting; save these fruits for a good feast with your real grandson!"

Seeing Seraphina, she smiled and said, "Ms. Bennett."

Seeing her condition, Seraphina felt relieved. "How have you been?"

"I've been following my family's advice and getting active treatment. It's still painful, but at least it puts my parents at ease." Diana answered with a smile, then said, "Ms. Bennett, I've read your report; thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." Seraphina replied, "I was just doing my job."

"But in reality, you helped me fulfill my wish—to clear Wilbur's name." Diana smiled, tears falling, but she was still smiling. "For the past two years, everyone's been saying I'm mad, that I've been fooled. No one would believe me. Ms. Bennett, why did you believe me?"

Seraphina paused, then slowly said, "I didn't believe in you; I believed in Wilbur. I saw two of his photos, one with you and the other from the court ruling. He truly loved you; so he wouldn't lie to you, he was truly innocent, which is why he looked so desperate when sentenced. A person's eyes are the most truthful."

Tears streamed down Diana's face.

Wilbur and her go way back, as childhood buddies. After high school, she moved away with her parents and lost touch with him. When they bumped into each other again, she was a high school teacher, respected by all, and him, well, he was a drifter, loafing around. She knew he wasn't supposed to be like this—just a poor guy who gave up on himself because of the hard knocks of life. So she doggedly pursued him, hoping to get him back on the straight and narrow. When he finally plucked up the courage to face his true self, wanting to make a change, disaster struck.

He should've been living a normal life, as simple as that.

Tears streaming down her face, Diana suddenly laughed, wiping away her tears. "I shouldn't cry; he can finally rest easy now. All this time, it was just you, Ms. Bennett. Oh no, wait, there was another person. Only you two believed in me. He pointed me in the right direction, and you helped me uncover the truth, Ms. Bennett. I can't thank you enough."

Hearing this, Seraphina suddenly got curious: "Who's the other person?"