Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 21: Lingering Questions

Evander stepped out of his car, the hum of the engine fading as he locked it with a soft beep. The air smelled of fresh grass and jasmine from the garden. Adjusting his tie, which had grown uncomfortably tight throughout his long day, he untied it with one hand, a sigh of relief escaping him as he made his way to the front door.

He could hear the familiar sounds of animated voices and cheerful music from the TV. As soon as he entered, his eyes landed on Ashton, lying on the soft gray couch, looking pretty relaxed. His small hands clutching the remote while his eyes remained glued to the cartoon playing on the screen.

"Ashton," Evander called softly.

The boy turned his head, his bright eyes lighting up as soon as he saw his father. "Dad! You’re home!" Ashton jumped to his feet, abandoning the remote on the couch as he rushed toward Evander.

Evander leaned down, ruffling Ashton’s dark hair in his usual way. "Yeah, I’m back. How’s my little genius doing today?"

Ashton beamed, puffing out his chest with pride. "I finished all my homework! And I studied today’s subjects too!"

"Good job," Evander praised, his lips curving into a genuine smile. No matter how drained he felt, hearing Ashton’s daily report always lifted his spirits. This ritual—these small moments—were the highlight of his day. No meeting, deal, or business victory could compare to these quiet evenings with his son.

Evander straightened up, pulling off his jacket and draping it over his arm. His eyes wandered briefly, scanning the room as if searching for something—or rather, someone. His gaze flickered toward the staircase, the dining area, and even the shadows of the garden outside, but he didn’t see her.

"Dad?" Ashton’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Evander blinked and looked down, catching Ashton’s curious gaze. "What?"

Ashton smirked knowingly, his expression a mirror of mischief. "She’s not here."

Evander raised an eyebrow. "She?"

"The weird lady," Ashton said, like it was no big deal, before returning his attention to the TV. "She went out."

Evander chuckled at his son’s bluntness, though he couldn’t deny the accuracy of Ashton’s description. "She has a name, you know," he said, turning back toward Ashton with a playful tone. "It’s Delphinia."

Ashton nodded, half-listening. "Right. Delphinia."

Evander smiled to himself, feeling better after his little correction, and moved further into the house. But as he passed the hall, the fact that Delphinia wasn’t around gave him a weird, uneasy feeling. He couldn’t quite place it—whether it was simple curiosity or something more—but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

He encountered Sienna, the maid, arranging a vase of lilies in the corner. "Good evening, sir," she greeted, offering him a polite nod.

"Sienna," Evander began, pausing briefly, "do you know where Delphinia is?"

Sienna straightened, folding her hands neatly in front of her apron. "She went out earlier, sir, but she hasn’t returned yet."

Evander frowned slightly, his brow furrowing in thought. "Did she mention where she was going?"

"I’m afraid not," Sienna replied apologetically, lowering her gaze. "I didn’t ask."

Evander nodded, dismissing her with a quiet "Thank you," before heading toward the staircase. As he climbed the steps, his thoughts lingered on Delphinia. The gnawing concern in the back of his mind refused to subside.

Just as he reached the third step, the sound of the front door opening drew his attention. He stopped halfway, hand on the banister, then turned to face the entrance. There she was.

Delphinia stepped inside, her figure silhouetted by the warm light from the chandelier above. She pulled a medium-sized luggage bag behind her, her other hand clutching a plastic shopping bag. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, her head tilted downward, and her usually vibrant expression seemed dulled. There was something about her that felt off—like she had a cloud of sadness hanging around her.

Evander’s concern deepened as he moved down the stairs. "Delphinia," he called, his voice steady but tinged with worry. "Where have you been?"

She stopped in her tracks, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes stayed sharp, though there was a trace of tiredness in them. "What’s it to you?" she asked, her tone defensive yet soft, almost like she was masking something deeper.

Evander narrowed his eyes slightly but kept his voice calm. "Just answer the question."

Delphinia sighed, tapping the handle of her luggage with her fingers. "I went to a friend’s place to pick up some things," she said, lifting the plastic bag slightly as if to prove her point. "And I stopped by the store to buy a few things for myself. Is that a problem?"