Chapter 610

Rosalind's silver-blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Since Lillian's passing, she had never allowed herself to hope for a family again.

Yet here she stood—with a sister and a father.

It was more than she had ever dared to wish for.

"Everett..."

Everett tenderly brushed the tears from Rosalind's cheeks. "From this moment on, I'm your sister. Welcome to the Whitmore family. I'll protect you, and when you're older and stronger, you'll protect me too, won't you? We're family now."

Rosalind nodded, her voice thick with emotion. "Yes... family."

Alistair lingered by the gates, watching the scene unfold. His vision blurred—he hadn't anticipated Everett would formally bring his sister into the Whitmore fold.

Two maidservants passed by, whispering. "Lillian is so fortunate! To have crossed paths with Ms. Rosalind and now be embraced by the Whitmores... it's like destiny itself has rewritten her story." "For a girl like her, the Whitmore name is the greatest blessing life could offer." "We mustn't call her Lillian anymore. From now on, she's Ms. Madeline."

Their voices faded as they walked away.

Alistair's throat tightened. His gaze remained fixed on Rosalind—the woman who had stormed into his life like a tempest, reshaping everything in her wake.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed her number.

He needed to hear her voice.

There were so many things left unsaid—about Theodore, about Genevieve, about all the secrets he had buried deep within himself. Words he had choked back before, he would speak now.

He was ready to lay himself bare, to let her see the truth of his heart.

He needed to tell her it was over.

That from this day forward, he belonged to her—and only her.

And above all, he needed to say the words burning in his chest: I love you. More than life itself.

Inside, Rosalind was laughing with Madeline when her phone buzzed. Alistair's name flashed across the screen.

Her pulse stuttered. He was calling her.

Memories of his wedding to Genevieve surged forward—his refusal, her desperate plea for him to walk away with her, and his silence. Now, after all this time, he dared to call?

She had given him his chance. He had thrown it away.

Hand trembling, she swiped to decline the call.

But within seconds, her phone lit up again. Alistair.

Madeline glanced at her. "Aren't you going to answer? Who is it? Is it Alistair? I haven't seen him in ages. He's been so busy lately."

Rosalind's resolve wavered. No matter how much she despised Alistair, he was still Madeline's brother. He had the right to know his sister was safe.

Reluctantly, she accepted the call.

"Rosalind."

Her name on his lips sent a traitorous shiver down her spine.

She hated him. She loathed him.

Yet the moment she heard his voice, her heart betrayed her.

"Madeline is with me. She's safe. Was there anything else?"

"I need to speak with you."

"I have nothing left to say to you."

"Then come outside. I'm standing at your gates."