Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 114: Loyalties?

The study in the Harrington estate was a room of solemn grandeur. Robert Harrington stood by the window, his tall frame silhouetted against the faint light leaking through the curtains. He was a man who carried his years with dignity, though tonight his shoulders sagged under an invisible weight. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass absentmindedly, his expression a mixture of regret and determination. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now seemed clouded with emotion.

Helena entered the study with her usual poise. Her red-burgundy silk dress hugged her figure. As she closed the door behind her, the soft click reverberated like a gunshot in the silence.

"Robert," she began, "are we going to discuss this nonsense?"

He didn’t turn to face her. "What nonsense, Helena?" His voice was calm, though it carried an edge of weariness.

Helena’s eyes narrowed. She crossed the room with her heels muffled by the plush Persian rug near the desk. "You know exactly what I mean," she said, her voice low. "Delphinia. Why are you still clinging to her?"

Robert sighed and finally turned to face her, setting his glass down on the desk with a soft thud. His lined face showed the weight of their years together, though his gaze remained steady. "Helena, she is my daughter. That will never change."

Helena’s lips tightened, her perfectly shaped brows knitting together in frustration. "Your daughter?" she repeated, almost mockingly. "She divorced Kai Robinson. She’s no longer part of the Robinson family, Robert. She’s nothing but a Walton now. Or have you forgotten that?"

Robert’s jaw clenched slightly, but his voice remained calm. "I haven’t forgotten anything. And I don’t care who she’s married to or what name she carries. Delphinia will always be a Harrington. If she ever wants to come back, I will welcome her with open arms."

Helena’s eyes flashed with anger, and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Unbelievable," she hissed. "After everything, you’re still defending her? After the disgrace she brought to this family?"

Robert’s expression softened slightly, though his gaze remained firm. "Helena, I was emotional that day. I said things I didn’t mean. But I never wanted to chase her away. Not truly. And I won’t pretend otherwise."

Helena’s jaw tightened, her nails digging into her arms. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

Robert’s face darkened slightly, his brows drawing together. "She reminds me too much of Cecilia."

Helena’s hands fell to her sides, clenched into tight fists. Her knuckles turned white, and her chest rose and fell as she struggled to keep her composure. "Why are you bringing her up?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.

Robert’s expression softened, and for a moment, he looked impossibly tired. "Helena," he said quietly, "I’ve told you before, I’m not a good father. I’ve made mistakes. So many mistakes. But Delphinia is my daughter, and I won’t abandon her. Not now, not ever."

Helena’s lip curled in disgust, and she took a step closer, her voice rising. "What about Lyvia?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusing.

Robert blinked, taken aback. "What about her?"

Helena’s expression hardened further, and she threw her arms up in frustration. "Don’t play dumb, Robert. You’re smart enough to realize that without Delphinia here, Lyvia will become the heir. Isn’t that what you want? For our daughter to inherit everything?"

Robert let out a long, weary sigh and turned away from her, running a hand through his graying hair. "I think this conversation is over," he said firmly.

Helena’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she stepped forward, her voice rising. "Don’t you dare dismiss me, Robert! We are not done here!"

Robert’s patience finally snapped. He turned back to her, his eyes blazing with rare anger. "Enough, Helena!" he thundered, his voice echoing in the room. "I said we’re done here!"

Helena flinched, her face paling slightly. For a moment, the room was deathly silent except for the faint ticking of the antique clock on the mantle. Then, without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the study, slamming the door behind her.

In the hallway, Helena’s heels clicked furiously against the marble floor as she marched away from the study. Her chest heaved with anger, and her hands were balled into fists so tight that her nails dug into her palms. She gritted her teeth, her jaw clenched so hard it ached.

She came to a stop near the grand staircase, her reflection staring back at her from a gilded mirror on the wall. Her usually pristine appearance now looked slightly disheveled, her hairline damp with sweat and her cheeks flushed with fury.

"That man," she hissed under her breath, her voice trembling with rage. "That foolish, sentimental man."

Her mind raced, replaying Robert’s words over and over. She had been so certain that the bond between Robert and Delphinia had been severed completely after the divorce. She had been overjoyed when Delphinia married Kai Robinson, knowing how much the Robinsons would make her suffer. And when the marriage fell apart, she had thought it would finally be the end of Delphinia’s connection to the Harrington family.

But she had been wrong. Horribly, painfully wrong.

"How could he?" she muttered, her hands shaking slightly. "How could he still defend her after everything? After all the disgrace she’s brought to this family?"

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Slowly, her lips curled into a bitter smile. "No matter," she whispered to herself, her voice cold and determined. "I’ll fix this. I’ll make sure Lyvia gets everything she deserves. No one will stand in her way. Not Delphinia, and certainly not you, Robert."

Her expression hardened, her green eyes gleaming with ruthless resolve. She smoothed down her dress and straightened her posture. There was no room for weakness now. She had a goal, and she would do whatever it took to achieve it.

As she climbed up the grand staircase, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. Lyvia would inherit the Harrington legacy. Helena would make sure of it, no matter what. No one would stand in her way.