Chapter 644
“It’s not fake, it’s real. Aurelius lives in Santa Aurelia, and every name he mentioned matches up. If you don’t believe me, look at this.”
Caitlin placed both gold pendants into Beatrice’s hands. “This one was yours, the one you gave me. The other belongs to Aurelius. It’s because of this that I realized he and you are siblings.”
“Oh my… yes, yes… they’re identical…”
Beatrice’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked down at the pendants, then up at the old man. With trembling steps, she walked toward him. “You really are Javier… my brother…”
“Valentina… after all these years, I finally found you…”
They had been separated as children, just a few years old when fate tore them apart. Now, after decades of hardship, they were reunited at last.
The two elderly siblings embraced, sobbing in each other’s arms. The sight was so moving that nearly everyone in the room teared up, even little Patricia who clung to her mother’s neck and cried along with them.
“I thought I’d go to my grave without ever seeing you again…”
Beatrice’s voice shook as she poured out years of grief, while Aurelius, tears streaming down his face, tried to soothe her.
They wept together for a long time, until their legs trembled from standing. Caitlin and the others finally helped them to chairs. Even seated, the siblings clung tightly to each other’s hands.
Beatrice’s voice trembled. “After you got separated from us, where did you go? How did you survive?”
“In those days, everything was chaos. After we lost each other, I went hungry for a long while. Eventually, an old doctor took me in. He gave me food, taught me medicine, and treated me like his own son. I took his surname, Varga.
“For decades I followed him, traveling from place to place, healing whoever we could. We even came to the US once, but it was too vast–I never found you or our mother.
“When he passed, I returned to Santa Aurelia and settled there, founding the Healing Institute. I always thought if I stayed in one place, maybe, someday, you would find your way
to me.”
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Tears streamed down Beatrice’s cheeks. “I did come. Before I married, I went to Santa Aurelia to look for you. But no one had heard of you. I never knew you’d changed your name… I thought you were gone.”
“Ah… and at that time, I must have been searching for you abroad. I could never find you or Mother, and I feared the worst…”
Their voices broke as they exchanged their stories of endless searching, and tears flowed again. Words became unnecessary; the way they gripped each other’s hands and stared through tears said it all.
The room had gone still. Everyone could feel the power of blood ties–the invisible thread of kinship that years and distance could never sever.
It was Caitlin who finally broke the silence. “You’ve found each other again. That’s something to celebrate, not to mourn. Please… no more sadness.”
“Yes… you’re right.”
Both nodded, wiping away their tears. Beatrice patted her brother’s hand with a soft smile. “Look at me now. My children and grandchildren surround me, and they treat me well.”
“I see that. And it puts my heart at ease.”
“We finally have this chance to be together. You must stay here for a while, Javier. There’s so much I want to say to you.”
“Of course.”
Aurelius nodded gratefully.
The butler came to announce that dinner was ready. Beatrice clutched her brother’s hand. “Come, let’s eat.”
The two walked out side by side. Though age had bent their backs, one could easily imagine them as children again, inseparable.
The Vanderbilt family dinner was lavish and full of laughter.
“Here, try this. You’ve never tasted it before.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
No matter what Beatrice placed in his bowl, Aurelius accepted it with a smile, his heart full.
Watching them, Howard’s mind wandered. Tilting his head toward Patricia, he asked, “Patricia, if someday I got lost, what would you do?”
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htly, “It’s okay, I still have two other brothers.”
The boy’s heart cracked instantly. His own sister wouldn’t even look for him? But before he could sulk, she added brightly, “I’d take them with me to look for you. We’d never lose you. And if we did, we’d ask the police for help!”
Howard beamed again. That was more like it.
The meal went on warmly, with stories, smiles, and tears. When it drew to a close, Beatrice turned to Caitlin. “I owe this reunion to you. If you hadn’t cared so much, hadn’t given me that pendant, I never would have found my brother again. I don’t even know how to thank you.”
“It was just coincidence. If you hadn’t given me the pendant, Aurelius never would have recognized it either.”
“Still, I thank you. Caitlin, you truly are this family’s good–luck star.”
Caitlin smiled softly. “I’m just happy you found your brother. It reminds me of my own bond with Harrison. After everything we’ve been through, all I want now is for him to wake up.”
Her eyes face.
flickered toward Aurelius as she spoke. He avoided her gaze, guilt written all over his
Beatrice asked quickly, “What happened to Harrison?”
“He was poisoned when he went to find my mother. He hasn’t woken up since.”
“Oh heavens… how could such a thing happen? Aurelius, you must help him!”
“I’ve examined him. There’s little more I can do.”
Aurelius’s sigh silenced the room. No one pressed further,
After dinner, Beatrice insisted her brother stay the night. The butler prepared a guest room, while Zeke and Alicia took their leave.
That night, Aurelius stayed at the Vanderbilt estate, Caitlin and Sebastian went to check on him.
“Aurelius, how is the room? If you need anything at all, just tell us.”
“It’s fine. Everything is fine here.”
He nodded, content with his surroundings, though his heart was most full of gratitude.
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“Caitlin, thank you. If you hadn’t told me the truth, I never would have found my sister.”
Caitlin smiled, sitting across from him. Her clear gaze held his. “You’re welcome, Aurelius. I told you the truth. Now, can you do the same for me? Can you tell me the truth?”