Chapter: 679

He remained seated, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions.

ALL this was Alicia's handiwork.

How had she accomplished it? How had she managed to do it so perfectly?

Without any delay, he dialed Alicia's number.

As expected, she didn't pick up.

Caden's thoughts then turned to Gerry.

Gerry had accidentally revealed earlier that Alicia had been to Averibon.

Caden pressed Gerry for more details, and Gerry, unable to keep it hidden any longer, admitted over the phone, “Alicia went to Averibon to uncover your past with your mother. She planned it as a surprise for you and told us to keep it quiet."

Caden's thoughts swirled.

That explained her trip to Averibon.

Yolanda wasn't aware of the details between him and his mother, so she wasn't sure how to improve Lina.

Neither did Alicia.

Yet, Alicia had secretly set out to discover more. She visited his childhood haunts and learned from neighbors and relatives about his mother's affection for him.

She had intended to surprise him that day.

Thus, her strong reaction upon seeing him with Yolanda.

More shocking was that she had an accident the same day, and he, without a second thought, chose Yolanda over her, leaving her in danger.

Afterward, she tearfully proposed to him, “Will you marry me? Say yes, even if it's just a lie."

He cruelly refused.

She smiled through her despair, shaking her head, tears in her eyes.

That image haunted Caden, like a thorn in his side.

Caden couldn't explain it, but he found himself paralyzed.

He bowed his head, deep in thought.

Lina approached and touched him.

It detected Caden's distress.

Its eyes grew dim. Comfort mode activated.

Like Caden's mother once did, it began to sing a lullaby to soothe him.

Overcome with sadness, Caden reached to turn it off.

Just as his fingers touched the switch, Lina's voice stuttered, and another voice took up the song, soft and clear.

She hummed softly.

"The dark sky hangs low, with bright stars shining. Fireflies dance in the night. Whom do you long for?"