Chapter 121 – The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion

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“As what I think?” Marigold sneered. She hadn’t quite believed it when Yvonne said it, but she became absolutely certain when Gilbert confirmed it to her this morning.

“Why do you think Gilbert rejected me? It’s because he likes you. Don’t you tell me that you knew nothing about this!” Marigold glared at her as if she wanted to pierce right through her.

However, she was arguing with Danika. Even if Danika’s emotions whirled around like a tornado, her face was as calm as a tranquil lake. “That’s just your speculation. I believe that Gilbert has no such intentions.”

“Oh really? Do you really believe that, or is that the denial speaking?” Marigold was smiling coldly.

Danika flung her arm away and went into the house. “This is my business. It doesn’t involve you. If you have the time, you should be thinking about how to make Gilbert like you.”

“You…”

The door slammed shut. No matter how Marigold knocked, Danika wouldn’t open it.

Danika leaned against the door, hearing Marigold’s thumps and knocks. Even after she left, Danika stood frozen in her spot, unmoving.

Gilbert…

Danika tried hard not to think about what Marigold had said. She told herself that it wasn’t real, that Gilbert was just her brother, that he wouldn’t mix up his feelings for her. But then, she couldn’t calm down. Her memories with Gilbert flashed before her like a movie. His actions, the look in his eyes….

She realized the signs were all there, but she hadn’t thought of him that way, which was why she never noticed. And now, after being rudely exposed, she realized that she couldn’t lie to herself.

She slid down the door and buried her head in her arms. A throbbing pain permeated her heart.

Eustace appeared outside the door. He’d waited a long time for Danika’s lights to turn on, and had begun to worry for her safety, so he came up to look. He just so happened to hear Marigold’s words.

He hadn’t come forward to stop her because he thought Danika deserved to know. He only went to her door after Marigold left. He didn’t knock, knowing that Danika would be upset and he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

No comfort in this world would be of use. Danika had to get through this on her own.

He sighed helplessly, leaning against the door. Instinctively, he thought about lighting a cigarette, and his lips twisted into a bitter smile. He seemed to be smoking more frequently now.

He was contemplating lighting the cigarette when the door unexpectedly opened as he was finally putting it back. Eustace had no time to hide, presenting himself to Danika head-on.

“Why are you here?” Danika frowned. Wasn’t he supposed to have left a long time ago? Then, she thought of something, and her face changed. “Did you hear everything?”

“Danika…” Eustace wanted to explain, but when he saw her reddened eyes, he knew that anything he said would not be of use.

“Don’t give me those eyes. Are you pitying me?” Danika looked at Eustace, not understanding why he would look at her like that. Even if Gilbert liked her, what was there to pity her about?

“No. I was worried about you.” He was worried that Danika wouldn’t be able to take it.

At first, Danika truly couldn’t take it. But then she calmed down quickly. She couldn’t take Marigold’s word for it. Who knew if what Marigold said was true?

She wanted to go out to look for Gilbert so she could talk to him about it. If it were real, she would have to make it clear that he’d have to stop thinking about her that way. They were siblings. Even if they were not blood-related, they could only be siblings.

Danika waved her hands. She was in no mood to talk to Eustace. “There’s no need. Please, go home.”

“Where are you going?” Eustace asked.

“I have something to do.” Danika walked into the elevator, and Eustace followed closely behind.

In the elevator, Eustace guessed where she was going, but he didn’t ask. “Alright. Call me if anything happens. I’ll always be there.”

Danika only looked at him, not saying anything.

The elevator stopped on the first floor. Danika walked out of the gates, hailed a cab, and left quickly. Eustace didn’t even have the chance to offer to drive her.

Danika knew the passcode to Gilbert’s villa, so she went right in.

Zack and Gilbert were both there. They were surprised to see her, but then their expressions shifted. Zack was happy. He walked toward Danika and said, “Danika, why are you here so late? Did you miss me?”

Gilbert also went up to her, but he didn’t look as happy. In fact, he looked a little uneasy.

Danika said nothing. Zack sensed that something was wrong, and he grew serious. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

Danika shook her head and said, “Zack, why don’t you sleep early tonight? I have something to say to

Gilbert.”

Zack seemed to have guessed what was going on, and his face turned sour. “Alright. Call me if anything happens.” He turned and went upstairs, not forgetting to glare at Gilbert before he left.

Gilbert could only smile bitterly. Danika’s reason for coming was crystal clear.

Zack disappeared quickly, leaving them both alone in the living room. The atmosphere grew tense at once.

They didn’t know how much time had passed before Gilbert said through gritted teeth, “Let’s sit. We can’t talk standing like this.”

Danika was still quiet. She sat, looking at the familiar face before her, and her heart ached. “Gilbert,” she said calmly. “Marigold came to see me.”

Gilbert tightened his grip around the glass of water he was holding. As expected, she was here to talk about this.

“Is what she said… true?” Danika asked. If she didn’t clear things up, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Gilbert held up the glass and drank a few mouthfuls. “What did she say?”

“She said…” Danika looked at him, unable to speak. “She said that you like me. She’s spouting nonsense, isn’t she, Gilbert?” Danika was still holding on to a thread of hope. She hoped that Gilbert would say that it was false. Danika would believe him if so. However, she didn’t receive the answer she wanted.

Gilbert returned her gaze. Slowly, he said, “It’s true. I like you, Danika. And it’s not just the type of feeling that exists between siblings.” He wasn’t ready to deny it. Maybe this wasn’t as bad as he thought. Maybe he’d be able to pursue her openly. Wasn’t that what he always wanted?

But Danika’s face fell. She was visibly upset. “Gilbert, we’re siblings. We’re family. How could you….”

“Danika, we’re not blood-related. Why can’t I have feelings for you?” He looked at Danika, his tone growing sharp.

Danika rarely saw him like this. For whatever reason, she suddenly felt like she didn’t know him. It was as if she was learning about him for the first time.

Her silence was making Gilbert uneasy. “Danika, although I have feelings for you, I don’t want it to bother you. That’s why I held it in for so many years. I didn’t want you to find out. If it weren’t for Marigold, you would never have known. I would never tell. You can relax. So what if you know now? If you’re upset about it, I’ll stay in my lane and just be your brother.” Although he wished that Danika would give him a chance, he knew very clearly that if Danika were to accept him now, she would only be making things worse.

Danika was still upset after hearing Gilbert’s words. Was he really still her brother? Could everything be just like how they were before?

She knew the answers very quickly. Things would never be the same again. She could never be able to call him her brother anymore…

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