With the danger completely lifted, the tense atmosphere inside the mansion finally disappeared. No more ubiquitous patrols, no more hidden watchers—only long-lost, true peace. Lucian never wore the blindfold again. He faced Ella and the whole family openly. After years of disguise, he finally felt relaxed.
He took Ella's hand and returned to the living room, letting her sit on the sofa. He knelt in front of her, holding her hands tightly, his eyes sincere and guilty, full of tenderness.
"I'm sorry, Ella," he said softly, his voice full of self-reproach. "I've hidden so much from you, made you worry for so many days. I know you've suffered a lot of grievances, and I know you have many doubts. Now, I'll tell you everything, without hiding a single thing."
Lucian slowly told her about his past. It turned out that when he was running the family business abroad a few years ago, he was ambushed and poisoned with a slow-acting poison. His eyes were temporarily blinded, and rumors spread that he was permanently blind. The mastermind had been hiding inside the family, uniting with external forces to seize power. To paralyze his enemies and find the real culprit, he pretended to be blind, laying plans in secret for years, waiting for the opportunity to catch all his enemies.
And this marriage—seemingly a transaction—was actually arranged by him from the very beginning. He had long investigated Ella's life experience, knew she had been wronged in her original family, kind and tough. His grandfather's last wish before his death was for Ella to be his granddaughter-in-law. He promised his grandfather not only to fulfill his last wish, but also because he had secretly seen her and fallen in love with this gentle and forbearing girl.
Marrying her was, on the one hand, to fulfill his grandfather's last wish, save her father's company, and help her escape from her suffering. On the other hand, he really wanted to marry her, to protect her by his side, and give her a lifetime of stability and happiness. Pretending to be blind was also because he was afraid that the danger around him would affect her. He wanted to protect her with disguise before completely resolving the danger, preventing her from being involved in the conflict.
Ella listened to his story, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. This time, not because of grievance or fear, but because of moving and heartache. She never knew this man had done so much for her silently. She never knew this seemingly contractual marriage hid so much deep love and protection from him. She had always thought she was the passive one, but she had long been cherished by him in the bottom of his heart.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Ella choked, stroking his cheek gently. "I'm not afraid of danger. I just want to face it with you. No matter what happens, I want to stay by your side."
"I couldn't bear to," Lucian held her hands tightly, his forehead gently touching hers, his voice soft enough to squeeze out water. "You've suffered too much. I just want to block all the storms outside, letting you only enjoy stability and happiness. I was afraid that telling you the truth would put you in danger. I was afraid that you would be scared and leave me when you knew the dangers around me."
Ella shook her head, reaching out to hug him tightly, burying her face in his chest, feeling his warm embrace and steady heartbeat. "I won't leave you. Never. Lucian, thank you. Thank you for saving me from suffering, thank you for always protecting me. I love you too. I fell in love with you from the first time you stood up for me."
The confession hidden in her heart for a long time finally blurted out. No gorgeous words, no deliberate sensationalism, only two sincere hearts tightly clinging to each other. Lucian's body stiffened, then he hugged her tightly, his strength gentle and firm, as if wanting to rub her into his bones and blood. The love accumulated in his heart for many years completely burst out.
"I will treat you well for a lifetime," he whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse but extremely firm. "I will never let you suffer any more grievances, never let you shed a single tear. This mansion will be our real home from now on, a home only belonging to the two of us."
Sunlight streamed through the window into the living room, falling on the two embracing people, warm and soft. The sufferings, concealments, and unease of the past all turned into smoke and clouds at this moment, leaving only full love and stability. Ella finally understood that she had never married a blind heir. She had married a lover who loved her with all his heart and was willing to resist all storms for her.