Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband-Chapter 260: What Do You Mean?

Ella sat motionless, her fork idly tracing the edges of her untouched breakfast. In the past, she would have cherished a morning like this—a family gathering. Her father, brother, grandmother, all around her fussing over her as she avoided the food. It was the kind of scene she had once dreamed of, the kind of moment that had always brought her peace.

But today, that warmth felt hollow. As she glanced at her father, she did not see the love she had thought she saw. No. All she saw was the deceit that he had dealt her even as he continued to pretend he was fine. This is what Aiden and Nathan had tried to warn her off. When they’d said that she was being manipulated. She grimaced. It was no wonder that Aiden had not wanted him in his house. Knowing that the man could sell you off for his own selfish profit was your father, it would make anyone feel sick.

But now, it was too late for her. While both Aiden and Nathan had escaped her father’s clutches, she was caught in them. Rather, she had thrown herself into them. And now, if she refused to cooperate, he would simply throw her to the wolves. Or in this case, throw her to Aiden who was even now hunting for the one who harmed Serena.

On the other side as she stared at Nathan and her grandmother pretend everything was fine while hiding the worry in their eyes, she felt even more awful. If only she’d gathered the courage to tell Aiden everything. Atleast Serena would have been alive.

Her gaze flitted briefly to the other side of the table but stopped short, refusing to settle on the smug expression of the woman sitting there. The one responsible for everything. Ella’s jaw tightened as bitterness surged through her. Though, if she were being honest with herself, the blame wasn’t solely Kim’s to bear. The ache in her chest twisted with self-reproach. If someone was truly to blame, it was her.

She had let her father deceive her, but perhaps that could be forgiven as her being blind in his love. Yet what excuse did she have for letting Kim manipulate her so thoroughly? That wasn’t love; that was foolishness. Pure, unguarded naivety. The realization stung, sharp and unforgiving, making her feel smaller with every passing second.

"Have you thought about going back this semester or are you still set on taking a break?" Nathan asked her, making her look up.

She hesitated, the words forming on her lips. She did want to go back, to find a way to escape the suffocating tension of this house. But before she could answer, her father cut in, as though the decision had already been made for her. "Of course, Ella is not going anywhere. She already decided to take a break for some time and stay at home. And at such a crucial time, with a new daughter-in-law in the house, I’m sure she’ll feel more comfortable staying here, helping to make her feel welcome." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Ella’s stomach churned as her father’s words settled. She bit back the retort bubbling up inside her, knowing it would lead nowhere good. Before she could think of what to say, Nathan scoffed loudly, his derision cutting through the forced civility.

"New daughter-in-law?" Nathan repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, fixing their father with a hard stare. "There’s no new daughter-in-law in this house. Just a couple of imposters and squatters trying to worm their way into places they don’t belong."

"Nathan, mind your language," their father snapped. But Nathan was not bothered.

He didn’t even blink. Instead, he smirked, leaning forward slightly as if daring their father to push him further. "Relax, old man. I’m not talking about you." His grin widened, his tone turning sharper, more cutting. "At least not right now."

She wanted to say something to cut through the tension but she could not. Nathan seemed to have expected her to say something and even turned to look at her but she simply avoided his gaze and fixed her look on her plate.

Kim’s voice cut through the tense silence her tone laced with indignation. "I’m not some imposter, Nathan," she said with self-satisfied smile. "I’m Aiden’s wife, and—"

The sound of the dining room door swinging open interrupted her, and all heads turned toward the imposing figure that strode in. Aiden’s presence shifted the energy in the room instantly, his cold gaze and appearance making everyone go silent. He had been like a ghost for the past week since Serena’s disappearance, rarely coming home.

Kim’s words died in her throat, her self-assured demeanor faltering slightly as she glanced at him and seemed to shrink into her chair. Nathan leaned back in his chair with an expression of grim satisfaction, while their grandmother straightened, "Aiden. Did you... find something? Anything about Serena?"

Like her granddaughter, Mabel Hawk had been blaming herself. If she had not asked Serena to wear the old veil, then anyone who had looked at the bride woudl have been able to see her face and know that she was not Serena.

Aiden did not answer right away. Instead he turned to look at Ella who was still looking down and then answered," Not yet. But I am about to."

Without another word, he closed the distance between himself and Ella and went to stand at her side.

Ella looked up slowly then, her heart in her throat," Aiden..."

But the anger in his eyes stole the words from her. He was angry at her. And.. he knew it. She could see it in his eyes that he knew the truth... or had at least guessed it. She turned her head away. She needed to remind herself that she had to pretend she knew nothing. As long as she said she knew nothing, he would not know her. No one knew that she had left home that day...And maybe, Aiden was only suspicious and her guilt was the thing that was making her panic...

"Where is Serena?", he asked suddenly.

Ella froze, her fork clattering against the edge of her plate as her trembling hands betrayed her. He knew. He was not suspicious. He definitely knew.

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