Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 58: Ian Preston, I Have No Brother Anymore

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Ian Preston, I Have No Brother Anymore

The early autumn in Coronet brings a gentle breeze without harshness.

The weather is nice today, and Thea Lynch has tied up her hair in a simple high ponytail, wearing a knee-length white dress without any excess accessories.

She appears with a bare face, bright eyes and pearly teeth. When she murmured to herself, her voice was soft and gentle. Discussing some past events, she occasionally frowned and playfully grumbled.

Just like back in the day, she was always the pampered little girl in front of her brother.

Gently wiping the dust off the tombstone with a handkerchief and looking at the familiar name, Thea Lynch’s fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Aaron Lynch, army officer, died at the young age of twenty-seven.

After their parents passed away, the elder brother took on the role of father. Aaron took responsibility, quit his job and rushed back from out of town to stay in Coronet and take care of Thea. However, shortly after, he had to leave for an urgent mission, and he returned to his unit.

Thea Lynch remembers that night she had trouble sleeping and stayed awake. Around one in the morning, her brother suddenly knocked and came in.

Only the small bedside lamp was on in her room. Her brother was neatly dressed and sat on the chair next to her bed.

That day, her brother’s hands seemed rougher than usual, calloused and layered, cautiously held her hand and gently caressed it.

At the time, she didn’t know her brother was about to leave; she simply thought he was worried about her being afraid at night and unable to sleep, so he came to stay with her for a while.

Her eyelids were drooping, and she seemed to see her brother moving his lips.

But back then, she wasn’t wearing her hearing aids, and sleepiness struck. She only heard faint sounds and didn’t make out what her brother said.

That night passed without a dream, and she finally got a good night’s sleep.

After that night, she never heard her brother’s voice again.

——

Coming out of the cemetery, Thea Lynch had already adjusted her mood, appearing no different from when she entered.

Returning to the spot where she got off the car earlier, the car she had reserved was still waiting for her.

Under the locust tree by the road, the white BMW had disappeared at some point. In its place was a somewhat unfamiliar large vehicle, a silver-gray Cullinan.

But the three people standing outside the car were quite familiar.

Thea Lynch stopped in her tracks, standing firmly in front of the car.

Silas Cheney smiled at her, but it was different this time from usual. His habitual nonchalance was replaced by awkwardness and helplessness, somewhat reluctant.

"Morning, Thea."

Thea Lynch pursed her lips, her gaze resting on him for a few seconds before looking at Sean Bell and Ian Preston in turn.

Sean Bell stood straight, his expression somewhat strange as if he wanted to say something but suddenly stopped when she turned to look, his gaze evasive.

Ian Preston was positioned further back, at the farthest distance from her. He was still the calmest one, able to maintain a poker face even now.

"Ahem, Sean Bell, come with me to turn the car around." Silas Cheney was still perceptive, directly dragging Sean Bell back into the car.

Normally, Sean Bell wouldn’t follow his lead. But given the current circumstances, he was not in the mood for idle pranks.

The reason was flimsy, but no one exposed it. The two drove off quickly, claiming to turn around ahead, but their starting posture seemed like they had no intention of coming back.

After they left, Thea Lynch and Ian Preston locked eyes from a distance, both appearing calm and composed, as if silently competing to see who would speak first.

As if knowing what she needed then, Ian Preston slowly raised his right hand from his pants pocket, making a gesture as if opening his arms.

With just this one action, Thea Lynch’s facade completely shattered, her eyes welled up, blurring her vision instantly.

She was already teetering on the brink of collapse at the sight of her brother earlier. Her brother really disliked her crying.

So she just secretly reddened her eyes, forcing herself not to cry in front of him.

She forced herself to turn away, secretly wiping her eyes.

You can’t go over, and you mustn’t cry, Thea Lynch.

She warned herself in her heart repeatedly.

The warmth of greeting ahead originated from a blazing fire. Reason and dignity always prevailed, transforming into chains that bound her hands and feet to prevent her from falling into it once more.

Thea Lynch took deep breaths desperately, trying to quickly repair the cracks in her mental walls, so as not to appear too embarrassed.

Things didn’t go as planned, and Ian Preston’s approach came without a hint of warning. His familiar presence tightly enveloped her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, with a force as though trying to merge her into his body.

"Nobody will see, not even me."

The man’s husky voice sounded in her ear, constantly tempting her.

The moment his hand touched the back of her head, gently caressing, Thea Lynch’s eyes stung, tears burst forth, and she broke down in his embrace.

She cried, her whole body trembling, choking out: "Ian Preston, I no longer have a brother."

——

In the car at a distance, Silas Cheney withdrew his gaze, lowered the window, and lit a cigarette.

Sean Bell stared unblinkingly at the two embraced outside, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Half a cigarette later, Silas Cheney still felt a blocked chest.

They were all trapped in the past, unable to let go for a long time. What about Thea Lynch...?

First losing her parents, barely surviving herself. Just as her health started to improve, she received the devastating news of her brother’s departure, not even seeing him one last time.

Silas Cheney still remembered the scene back then, Thea Lynch fainting from crying here.

What a nightmare it was for them all.

They hadn’t been able to walk out of it, how could Thea Lynch withstand such blows.

"Regarding the suggestion your family’s elder had last time, what do you think about it?" He raised his eyes at the rearview mirror, meeting the gaze of the person reflected within.

"What suggestion? Alliance?" Sean Bell: "Why, do you have ideas?"

Silas Cheney spoke with meaning, "I’m afraid it’s not me who has ideas."

A few seconds later, Sean Bell suddenly chuckled, "I think the third brother has quite a few ideas."

Silas Cheney raised an eyebrow, "Is it only the third brother?"

"Otherwise?"

"That’s best."

Sean Bell could not be a person to be easily manipulated by others, immediately inquired: "What are you planning? To help the third brother or to steal someone?"

"Everyone is aware of Thea Lynch’s situation now. She’s cautious around everyone but can confidently entrust the third brother." Silas Cheney assessed him, "Since the third brother also has some feelings for Thea Lynch, why not give it a push?"

"Of course, relying solely on me won’t work either."

Silas Cheney’s intention was to let Sean Bell join him in acting as an ally.

He knew Sean Bell could understand what he meant.

But Sean Bell simply refused, "I agree with everything else, except your phrase ’can confidently entrust the third brother,’ I can’t agree with that."

"Are you blind?" Silas Cheney motioned for him to look outside.

Earlier, while they were still there, Thea Lynch acted as if nothing was wrong, now seeing...

Sean Bell: "Not to mention anything else, just the person she trusts the most has always been the second brother. Even if I were to help, I’d let her be with the second brother."