Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate-Chapter 213

Elodie’s POV

Johnny had been to the Miller family house before, so he just delivered the fireworks directly to the residence.

As for Harry, I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble, so I gave him an address near the Miller villa instead.

Around 2 p.m., I drove over to meet him.

On the phone, Harry had said he’d have someone deliver the fireworks. So when I pulled up and saw him standing there in person, I was genuinely surprised. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"You’re here?" he said, straightening up when he saw me.

"Mm."

"Open the trunk."

I popped it open, and Harry started loading fireworks into the back. Then I noticed he was adding other things too, wrapped gifts, neatly tied with ribbon.

I frowned slightly. "The New Year gifts aren’t necessary..."

Harry didn’t even look up. "Daisy asked me to give them to you."

I went quiet.

Of course she did.

I walked back to my car and pulled out a small gift bag I’d prepared earlier—a decorative thousand-knot charm and a few other little things I’d picked up that morning. I handed them to Harry.

"I also bought a few things for Daisy," I said.

Harry’s expression softened. He smiled faintly. "Alright."

As he set the bag down in his car, something caught his eye. He reached in and pulled out one of the lanterns I’d bought, a cute, chubby fabric rabbit with a little handle.

He held it up, inspecting it. "What’s this?"

"A rabbit lantern," I said. "I bought two. One’s a rabbit, the other’s a snake. I thought the kids might like them."

Harry looked at both lanterns, the rabbit and the snake, turning them over in his hands. They were bright and festive, the kind of thing kids would go crazy for.

He smiled. "I think Daisy will love it. Thank you."

"Gift for gift," I said lightly. "It’s nothing."

Harry carefully placed the lanterns back in the bag, then glanced toward the nearby coffee shop.

"Want to sit for a while?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I can’t. I still have things to do. I need to head out again soon."

Tonight, Nonna was being discharged from the hospital. I had to go visit her with Grandma.

Harry nodded slowly. "Alright."

I didn’t say much more after that. Just got back in my car and left.

---

Not long after I got home, Grandma and I headed out again.

We brought New Year gifts for Nonna, traditional things, and carefully wrapped. Grandma had insisted on picking them out herself.

We’d called ahead to let Nonna know we were coming.

But when we got to the hospital and walked into her room, it was just her and Aunt Amy, her caretaker.

No one else.

Grandma’s face fell slightly. I knew she’d been hoping to see Liora.

But she didn’t say anything.

Nonna noticed. I could see it in her eyes. But she didn’t bring it up either.

Everyone had known for a while now that Dante and I were getting divorced.

And since Felix had come back to visit Nonna during the New Year and I hadn’t shown up, Nonna had already figured it out.

I was distancing myself from the Wilson family.

She’d probably already guessed that I wouldn’t be spending New Year at the estate this year.

As for Liora’s custody, I knew Nonna had brought it up with Dante a few days ago.

But he’d refused to compromise.

Of course he had.

I stood there quietly, my hands folded in front of me, watching Grandma chat softly with Nonna.

I didn’t say much. Just smiled when I needed to. Nodded when it was appropriate.

But inside?

Inside, I felt hollow.

Because I knew.

This was the last time I’d be here like this.

The last time I’d pretend everything was fine.

The last time I’d smile through the pain.

After this, I was done.

__________________

When Nonna had asked Dante where Liora would spend the New Year, he’d given her the same answer he always did.

"It depends on what Liora decides."

But Liora had been abroad on a trip. She’d only just gotten back tonight, so Nonna hadn’t had the chance to ask her yet.

Seeing how disappointed her old friend was, Nonna felt guilty.

But the truth was, Liora had been clinging to Dante more and more lately. And without knowing what Liora wanted, Nonna couldn’t make any promises.

She didn’t say anything, but Old Lady Miller and Elodie both understood.

They didn’t bring up Liora after that. Instead, they shifted to lighter topics, how Nonna’s leg was healing, how the physical therapy was going, when she’d be able to walk without the cane.

Since Nonna was being discharged soon anyway, Elodie and Old Lady Miller didn’t stay long. After about half an hour, they said their goodbyes and left.

---

Not long after they were gone, Dante appeared at the hospital.

Nonna knew immediately why he’d waited.

He was avoiding Elodie.

She didn’t say anything about it. Just watched him walk in, calm and composed as always, like nothing was wrong.

The divorce between Elodie and Dante was already a done deal. Nonna knew she couldn’t stop it.

But still...

She watched Dante sit down beside her bed and start peeling an apple with ease. His movements were smooth, unhurried. Like he had all the time in the world.

Nonna pressed her lips together.

"Dante," she said quietly, "Liora was born after Elodie went through so much. Can’t you at least give her custody?"

Dante didn’t stop peeling. His voice was calm. Indifferent.

"Liora is my daughter too."

Nonna’s jaw tightened. "You didn’t care about Liora for years. And now you have the nerve to fight for custody?"

Dante smiled faintly. He set the peeled apple slices on a plate and held it out to her.

"I’ve changed, haven’t I?"

Nonna turned her face away, refusing to take the plate. She didn’t respond.

Dante set it down on the table beside her.

"Nonna," he said gently, "this is between us. Don’t involve yourself."

Nonna said nothing.

---

After handling the discharge paperwork, Dante took Nonna back to the Wilson estate.

Later that evening, he left to pick up Liora from the airport.

---

"Dad! Aunt Sienna!"

The moment Liora spotted Dante and Sienna waiting for her outside the terminal, she let go of Aunt Sabina’s hand and took off running.

She threw herself into their arms, beaming.

Once they were in the car, Liora dug through her little backpack and pulled out a handful of trinkets she’d bought during her trip.

"Dad, Aunt Sienna, I bought gifts for you!"

Sienna took them with a warm smile, gently ruffling Liora’s hair. "Thank you, sweetheart."

---

Tonight, Nonna was being discharged, so Dante and Liora were heading back to the estate for dinner.

After leaving the airport, they dropped Sienna off at her place first. Then Dante instructed the driver to turn around and head to the family home.

In the car, Dante was on his phone, handling work emails and messages.

Liora didn’t bother him. She just sat beside him, swinging her legs and playing with one of the toys she’d brought back.

When they finally arrived at the estate, Liora hopped out of the car, her little backpack bouncing on her shoulders.

She ran toward the front door, calling out excitedly.

"Mom! Mom!"

Dante, having finished packing up his laptop, got out of the car.

When he heard Liora calling out, he glanced up and said calmly, "Your mom isn’t here."

Liora stopped mid-step. She turned around, her little face confused.

"Huh? Mom isn’t here?"

"Mm."

"Is Mom still busy?"

Dante walked over and gently patted her head. "Maybe you can call her and ask."

"Oh..."

Liora’s voice trailed off.

Lately, whenever she tried calling her mom, Elodie didn’t answer.

At home, it was fine. But these past few days while she’d been abroad, even though Dad and Aunt Sienna had called and video-chatted with her every day, they weren’t physically there. And being alone overseas, even with Aunt Sabina, she’d felt lonely. Homesick.

In those first few days, the person she’d missed the most was actually her mom.

She’d called her every single day.

But her mom never picked up.

Eventually, Liora stopped trying. She told herself that Mom was probably just busy. That she didn’t have time to answer.

Before flying back, Liora had secretly hoped her mom would be at the airport to pick her up.

But when Dad and Aunt Sienna said they’d be the ones coming, she didn’t mention it. Didn’t call.

She’d thought that at least when she got home, Mom would be there waiting.

But now...

Liora’s chest felt tight. She didn’t feel like calling anymore.

She figured even if she did, Mom would still be too busy to answer anyway.

The excitement she’d felt about coming home drained out of her all at once.

Dante crouched down in front of her, gently pinching her cheek. He raised an eyebrow.

"Crying?"

Liora pouted and turned her face away. "No, I’m not!"

Dante chuckled softly. "Giving up already? Not going to call Mom anymore?"

Liora didn’t answer right away. She stared at the ground, her little hands clenched into fists.

Finally, she mumbled quietly, "I... I didn’t give up."

She still wanted to call.

Dante’s smile softened. He didn’t say anything else. Just reached out and scooped her up into his arms.

"Let’s go inside first."

Liora wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his chest. It was warm. Solid. Familiar.

She felt a little better.

---

The Wilson family was waiting for them to start dinner.

When Dante and Liora walked in, everyone turned to look.

Nonna’s face lit up the moment she saw Liora. "There’s my girl! Come here, let Grandma get a good look at you."

Liora wiggled out of Dante’s arms and ran over to Nonna. "Grandma!"

Then she turned and greeted the others politely. "Grandma Stella. Aunt Amber. Uncle Yancy."

Stella and Amber responded, but their voices were faint and distant.

Just enough to be civil.

Liora didn’t seem to notice. She was already chattering away to Nonna about her trip, showing her the little souvenirs she’d brought back.

Nonna smiled warmly, asking questions, admiring everything Liora showed her.

But across the table, Stella exchanged a brief glance with Amber.

Neither of them said a word.