CHAPTER 309: UNWAVERING LOVE

Anne’s curiosity deepened as she noticed the shift in Nathan’s expression. His once playful demeanor had vanished.

"What is it?" she asked, her brows drawing together. "Why do you look disturbed? What happened to Megan?"

She still didn’t know the full truth that Megan was no longer alive.

"She... died in that accident," Nathan replied after a pause, growing serious.

He kept his tone even, but inside, he was battling with the truth he couldn’t bring himself to say. He wanted to tell her everything about how Megan had been tortured and killed, but the words wouldn’t come. He was afraid it would be too much for her.

Anne’s eyes softened. "Oh... that’s really sad," she murmured with sympathy. "She had everything — a supportive family, money, status. She could have led a peaceful, fulfilling life. But she let revenge consume her."

She gave a small shrug and shook her head. "Such a waste..."

When she glanced back at Nathan, she noticed him staring blankly, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. She assumed the news of Megan’s death had left him shaken. After all, he had once cared about her.

"Are you thinking about Megan?" she asked cautiously. "If you’d like, we can help arrange her funeral..."

Nathan’s head turned sharply at her words, snapping him back to the present.

"There is no need," he said flatly. "Megan was never a part of this family. She never treated us like one."

His lips curled with disdain. "She always saw us as her enemies, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A woman who tried to murder my father and sister doesn’t deserve to be called family. I’m not mourning her."

The finality in his tone made it clear that whatever feelings he might have once had for Megan were long gone.

The next moment, Nathan’s entire demeanor changed. The irritation that had flickered in his eyes just seconds ago dissolved, replaced by worry.

"I’m not thinking about Megan," he murmured, a glint of fear in his eyes. "I’m thinking about Augustine."

Anne blinked in surprise. "About Augustine?" she repeated. She couldn’t understand what could possibly make Nathan look so rattled. A faint smile touched her lips as she teased, "What did he do to leave you flustered?"

But Nathan remained silent. He stared directly into her eyes.

"Do you really think you know him well enough to trust him blindly?" he asked with a hint of suspicion in his tone. "Haven’t you ever felt like he is hiding something? Like there are layers to him, secrets he doesn’t let anyone see. Don’t you ever wonder if he has truly been honest with you? What if there is something darker... something dangerous behind that calm, caring exterior?"

Anne’s smile faded.

She didn’t know what Nathan had discovered, but she wouldn’t let him question Augustine’s character.

"I know everything about him," she said evenly. "He hasn’t hidden anything from me. He told me everything—his struggles, his past, how he built his empire from the ground up. There are no secrets between us. So yes, I trust him. Completely."

Nathan’s brows pinched with disbelief. He couldn’t fathom how she could be so certain.

"And how do you know whatever he said is true?" he pressed. "What if that is just the story he wants you to believe? What if he is hiding something dangerous—something you haven’t even imagined?"

Anne had seen Augustine’s world — the scars he carried, the battles he fought, and the darkness he never tried to conceal from her. Despite his fear that the truth might drive her away, he had still chosen to be honest with her, baring every part of himself.

"I trust him completely," she said with conviction. "Because I know who he really is. Now tell me—what’s this all about? Did you find something?"

Nathan opened his mouth, ready to speak about what he had witnessed. But then he paused, hesitating. The worry that the truth might shake her to the core held him back.

"I...I just wanted to be sure he is the right man for you," he said carefully. "Everything that has happened lately it’s made me question things. You are my sister, Anne. You are precious to me. I already lost you once, and I can’t bear the thought of losing you again or watching you get hurt. Trusting the wrong person can destroy everything. I’ve seen it happen. And I’m scared Augustine might not be the man you think he is."

She let out a light laugh, her eyes softening.

"Relax, Nathan," she said with a reassuring smile. "You are worrying too much. I’m okay. I know I’m with the right person. Don’t doubt Augustine. He would never betray me—never hurt me."

Her confidence was unwavering, her heart firmly rooted in the man she loved. But Nathan remained troubled. The unease in his chest didn’t fade.

Anne slowly rose from her chair and walked over to the large floor-to-ceiling window. She lifted the shades with a gentle pull, letting the afternoon light flood into the room. The sky outside was painted in vivid strokes of pink and gold, the sun inching closer to the horizon.

She stood there quietly for a moment, taking in the view before speaking. "We often judge others too quickly," she began. "We want people to fit into our ideals, to be exactly the way we envision them. But the truth is, no one is perfect. No one can be exactly what we expect. I have my flaws, and so does he. We’ve both been through our own storms, and we’ve fought hard to stand where we are today."

She turned to face Nathan. "We make mistakes — everyone does. But what truly matters is honesty. And Augustine has always been honest with me. More than that, he has been deeply devoted. That’s what makes him right for me."

A soft, serene smile curved her lips. "I’ve accepted him as he is. His flaws, his past, even the danger that surrounds him. I’m not afraid. I don’t doubt him. I love him endlessly."

Nathan stared at her, momentarily lost for words. In her eyes, he saw the unshakable love she held for Augustine — a love that didn’t waver in the face of darkness. And in his heart, he knew Augustine loved her the same way. He had witnessed it in the man’s actions, his silence.

Finally, Nathan relented, pushing aside the last of his doubt.

"I hope you both find happiness. But if he ever wrongs you, if he ever makes you cry, don’t hide it from me. I’m your big brother. I won’t forgive him. I’ll make sure he regrets it."

Anne smiled at that, her heart full. She was fortunate to have such a protector, fierce, and loyal brother.

"I know." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Nathan.

He embraced her, one hand resting on her head. "Mom is waiting for us for dinner. Let’s go."

"Just a second," Anne replied, reaching into her bag and pulling out her phone.

She quickly typed out a message to Augustine: ’Having dinner with Mom and Nathan. I’ll call you later.’

She slid the phone back into her bag and looked up at Nathan. "Let’s go now."

Together, they walked out of the office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the Beaumont mansion...

Tension hung in the hall as Jeanne’s pleas echoed in the air.

She sank to her knees, her fingers clutching Dimitri’s hand tightly. "Please, Dad... don’t do this," she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Denis is my son. I may not have given him birth, but he is mine in every other way that matters. You can’t take that away from me by telling him the truth."

Dimitri’s expression was drawn, weighed down by remorse and regret. He hadn’t expected her to overhear the conversation with the butler. He silently cursed himself for his carelessness, for not locking the door properly, and for discussing such a secret matter so casually.

He bent forward, gripping Jeanne’s arms to help her up. "Get up. Don’t kneel like this on the cold marble. You’ll catch a chill."

But she resisted, her body trembling, her heart desperate. "I don’t care if I fall sick. I won’t get up until you swear to me you’ll keep this a secret. Telling Denis now, after so many years, could destroy everything we’ve built with him. He’ll feel betrayed. He might turn his back on us forever. Why bring it up now?"

She clung to his hand again, this time more firmly. "You were the one who made the decision back then. I raised him as my own. I poured every ounce of love into him. I didn’t even know he wasn’t mine by blood. But it doesn’t matter. He is my son. That truth is the only one I accept."

Her voice softened. "Please, Dad... don’t take him away from me. Don’t destroy this family. I’m begging you."

"Huh..." Dimitri exhaled heavily. His shoulders drooped under the burden of a decision he wished he had never had to make. His heart and mind were at war.

He glanced at Jeanne, still kneeling, her face streaked with tears and desperation. Her plea had pierced through his defenses, urging him not to reveal the secret. But he also knew the risk of keeping it any longer.

"I understand," he murmured. "I understand your fear, Jeanne. You’ve loved Denis like any mother would. Nothing can take that away, even if the truth is revealed."

He stood up, leaning on his cane. "He is your son. That bond won’t change. Even if he is hurt, even if he lashes out at us, with time, he’ll understand. He’ll come around if we explain it with honesty and love."

But then his expression shifted. The softness in his tone gave way to steel. "But keeping this hidden, letting him and Augustine continue clashing... that’s a far greater risk. They are brothers. And if we don’t reveal the truth, if we allow their bitterness to grow, it will be a disaster for this family. They might end up hurting each other."

He looked down at her. "This family is already fractured. I don’t want it to break down beyond repair. The truth may hurt, but hiding it could destroy everything."