She’d always believed Gian Horne loved her most. The only reasons he hadn’t divorced Mila Anderson were because of the old lady’s opposition and Glades Horne’s presence. The old lady could be considered her mother-in-law, and Gian Horne was dutifully filial, so she didn’t dare say anything. That’s why she directed all her hatred toward Glades Horne and his mother.
"I guess he’s already eaten at home," Gian Horne said, glancing at the time. It was already the Horne Family’s dinner hour.
"That’s not possible. His elder brother isn’t home, and he never eats at that house if his brother isn’t there," Pheobe Rogers asserted confidently.
She hated Mila Anderson and Glades Horne intensely, yet her son did the exact opposite; he held Glades in high regard. Whenever Glades was home, her son would rush back for meals, just to hear an occasional word from him.
"It seems that way. It’s good that the brothers are close," Gian Horne remarked. Reminded by Pheobe Rogers, he recalled his younger son’s habits. However, he didn’t dwell on it, simply feeling grateful that his sons didn’t hate each other. Although Glades appeared indifferent towards James Horne and rarely spoke to him, he actually cared a great deal for James. When James first started his business, Glades had privately offered to help, but James had refused.
Pulling out his phone, Gian Horne dialed James’s number and said to Pheobe Rogers, "Alright, I’ll call James then." He then brought the phone to his ear.
James Horne answered the call quickly.
"James, your mom has made a lot of delicious food. Where are you now? Do you have time to come home for dinner? Your mom says it’s been a long time since we’ve all eaten together. Come back and eat with us."
James was silent on the other end for a moment before replying, "Dad, I’ve already eaten at home. You and Mom go ahead. I’ll come over for a bit later." With that, he hung up.
Gian Horne helplessly relayed James’s words to Pheobe Rogers. She was somewhat angry and remained silent for a long time.
James always considered the Horne Family’s villa his true home. So what was this place to him? A hotel or an inn? A place to visit briefly and then leave?
On the other end, after hanging up his father’s call, James calmly resumed chatting with the old lady, who was sitting on the sofa.
"Grandma, Big Brother and Julia should be back soon, right?" James asked the old lady, feigning casualness. He had to go back to the Horne Family’s villa for any news about Glades Horne and Julia Bluen, and only the old lady could provide him with the latest updates.
「Days passed, slipping by with the quiet alternation of night and day.」
Before he knew it, Glades Horne and Julia Bluen’s honeymoon was drawing to a close. As their honeymoon neared its end, James grew increasingly anxious.
He was eager to see Glades. It had been almost a month, and he wondered if his elder brother had grown even more handsome, more robust. As for Julia Bluen, his heart ached at the mere thought of her. She was already so captivatingly beautiful; cherished by his brother, had she become even more radiant, exuding an even greater womanly charm?
Whenever he thought of Julia Bluen, his body would react. He knew that if he ever wanted to be ’normal’ and love only women, Julia was irreplaceable. Yet, fate had played a cruel trick: Julia was now his sister-in-law.
In the past, he had kept his love secret, never daring to confess, all because of his status. Julia Bluen was the second daughter of the Bluen Family, Chris Bluen’s most treasured child. She held fifteen percent of the Bluen Family consortium’s shares. Even if Julia didn’t want to inherit them, it was a settled fact, unchangeable unless Chris Bluen himself decreed otherwise. Considering the Bluen Family consortium’s immense wealth, owning fifteen percent of its shares meant a fortune worth hundreds of millions. And him? He was the illegitimate son of the Horne Family. Though he bore the title of ’Fourth Young Master,’ he had relied on himself for everything, clawing his way up from the very bottom to achieve his current success. That was why he’d never dared to confess, always feeling unworthy of Julia.
By the time he achieved success and recognition, he found Julia drifting further and further away. Then, suddenly, she became his sister-in-law—married to the elder brother he adored.
Sometimes, some chances, once missed, are gone forever.
"Yes, they have seven more days before they return. They’re in Switzerland now—their last stop. They’ll fly back from Switzerland then," the old lady replied warmly. Her gaze softened as she looked at James Horne’s face, so strikingly similar to Glades’s, and she asked with concern, "Who called you just now? Was it your mother? Did she ask you to go to her place for dinner?"
"Mm-hmm," James affirmed, not telling the old lady it had been Gian Horne on the phone.
"James, you’re twenty-eight now, aren’t you?" the old lady asked suddenly, looking at him intently.
"Yes. My third brother, fifth brother, and I are all the same age," James replied, a flicker of wariness in his deep-set eyes. The old lady had always been somewhat distant with him, though not entirely unconcerned. Now that his elder brother was married, was she about to start pressuring him to marry too?
The mere mention of marriage sent James’s heart plummeting into an abyss.
"Is there anyone you like?" the old lady pressed.
James chuckled. "Grandma, are you trying to force me into marriage? I still have two older brothers. You should pressure them first."
"Who says marriage has to follow a certain order? This isn’t ancient times. As long as you find a girl you like, someone you want to spend your life with, you can get married. You’re the most independent of them all. You can certainly decide on your own marriage, just like your elder brother did. We just want you to be happy. However, Grandma hopes that when you do marry, you’ll be faithful to your wife. If you don’t love her, don’t marry her. Don’t be like..." The old lady quickly stopped herself, having almost mentioned Pheobe Rogers.
Although James was usually quiet within the Horne Family, he actually cared deeply that Pheobe Rogers couldn’t move into the Horne estate and become its matriarch.
A shadow flickered in James’s eyes for an instant, but he quickly smiled again. "Grandma, if I do get married someday, I will definitely marry the woman I love most. And since she’ll be the woman I love most, I’ll cherish her for a lifetime."
"Mm. You and your elder brother are very much alike; even your personalities are quite similar. Your elder brother dotes on Julia immensely." The old lady chuckled. "Seeing those two finally together, my heart can finally be at ease." Whenever Julia Bluen was mentioned, a smile would fill the old lady’s face, her fondness for Julia overflowing.