Chapter 233

The new city Isla was building had finally been completed.

Today was its grand inauguration, and it was going to be a historic event.

This city was not just another project. It was the closest dream to Alfred Wyndham’s heart. Even though the old man passed away before he could see it finished, the person he trusted the most had fulfilled his wish.

Isla.

The city now stood tall, it was bright, and alive – proof that dreams do not die, even when people do.

Every member of the Wyndham family was present for the inauguration. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and pride. Invitations had been sent far and wide, and important figures from different walks of life had arrived.

Government officials, well-known celebrities, powerful investors, top streamers, and respected dignitaries filled the venue. Cameras were everywhere. The world was watching.

For Isla, this day meant more than success.

It was a victory built with love, sacrifice, and unwavering support.

This project was massive. Without Gabriel Wyndhamstanding beside her through sleepless nights, and the pressure that came with it. It would never have been completed.

Their home was just as lively.

Gabriel and Isla’s residence was filled with Isla’s family.

Her parents were there. Her siblings and their families had arrived the night before, all determined to stand by her side on this important day.

The entire estate was filled with laughter, warm voices, and joyful moments.

It was a moment of peace.

Inside Isla’s home office, Isla stood with her mother, Diana, carefully arranging a set of keys into a golden box.

These were not ordinary keys. They symbolized years of work, trust, and fulfillment.

Diana watched her daughter quietly for a moment.

“Can we talk for a bit?” she finally asked softly.

Isla lifted her head and looked at her mother. “Mother…! hope nothing is wrong?” she asked with concern.

Diana laughed lightly and waved her hand in the air. “No, no. There is no problem,” she said warmly. “We are done with problems in our lives.”

Isla smiled and nodded, then continued arranging the keys.Diana took a deep breath, her voice softer now. “I’m just… very happy for you,” she said. “I remember how it all started, Isla. That incident. The one that tied you to your best friend forever.”

Her voice broke.

Tears filled Diana’s eyes, spilling over freely. They were not tears of pain, but of fulfillment – the kind she once believed she would never experience.

I gently set the box aside and sat down across from her mother. She wasn’t crying yet, but her eyes shimmered with emotion.

“Mother,” she said carefully, “maybe we shouldn’t talk about things like this today-”

“Why?” Diana interrupted softly. “Because you don’t want to remember him?”

She shook her head slowly.

“Isla, that old man loved you from the very beginning.

There is no way I would not talk about Alfred Wyndham on a day like this.”

Her eyes lifted, filled with pride.

“This city… this dream… it belongs to him too.”

And Isla knew, at that quiet moment, that if the dead could see and watch their loved one after death. Alfred Wyndham would be smiling somewhere – watching thecity he loved finally come alive through the woman he trusted most..

Tears flowed freely down Isla’s face now.

She sniffed and spoke through her tears. “Do you think l wasn’t thinking about him?”

Her fingers trembled as she held the golden box tightly.

“These plastic keys inside this box… I made them for him,” she continued softly. “They represent access to the city he started but couldn’t finish.”

Her voice cracked.

Isla wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but they kept falling. “That is all I can give him now. I just want him to know that the project has been completed… and that I love him so much.”

Her strength finally gave way.

She broke down completely.

Diana couldn’t hold herself either. Her own tears fell as she watched her daughter cry, and after a long moment, she spoke with a trembling voice.

“Alfred Wyndham chose you for Gabriel,” Diana said. “He knew the battle you would fight, and he knew you would win.”

She swallowed hard.”He fought for your happiness, Isla. He wanted your children to be his heirs. He did everything he could to protect you, but-”

“Mom, please… stop. Please.” Isla cried out, shaking her head.

“I can’t stop,” Diana replied gently. “Not on a day like this.”

She sniffed and gave a sad chuckle. “Do you even know your status in this country, Isla?”

Isla said nothing. She was too drained to speak.

“Isla Wyndham,” Diana continued, “you are one of the most respected and influential women in all of Richbouph. Do you know why?”

Still, Isla remained silent. Every mention of Alfred Wyndham felt like reopening an old wound that had barely healed. The pain was deep, and it was fresh again.

“It is because of that man,” Diana said firmly. “Because of Alfred Wyndham. You were his number one and most favored-daughter-in-law. That is why.”

Diana wiped her face with a handkerchief, taking a deep breath.

“I tried not to bring this up,” she admitted. “I truly did. I didn’t want to talk about it today, but I couldn’t stop myself.”

Her voice softened.”I don’t want to be an ungrateful woman. I don’t want to be someone who cannot say a simple thank you to the person who changed my family for the better.”

She paused, then tooked at Isla with a serious expression.

“There is something important I need to tell you.”

Isla slowly raised her head and wiped her tears. “What is it?” she asked weakly. Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

“It’s about the secret John wanted us to keep from you,”

Diana said.

Sla straightened immediately. Her body tensed.

“A secret?” she asked.

Her heart tightened. She didn’t like where this was going.

She had thought all secrets were finally behind her. She had suffered enough because of hidden truths in the past.

Her family had finally found peace.

She didn’t want anything that could destroy it.

“It is actually good news,” Diana said quickly. “Your father and I have known for years. We celebrated it quietly.”

She smiled softly. “This happened at about eight… almost nine years ago. Shortly after Alfred Wyndham’s death.”

“Mother,” Isla said sharply, “just say it.””The Wyndham Residence,” Diana began.

“What about it?” Isla cut in, her voice rising with tension.

Diana smiled, almost amused by her daughter’s reaction.

“He didn’t just ask you to oversee the business there,” Diana said slowly, letting the words sink in.

She paused, then continued.

“Alfred Wyndham gave you full ownership of the residence. The entire property belongs to you.”

She smiled wider.

“It’s yours, Isla.”

Isla froze for a few seconds. “What?” That was her response. And more. She couldn’t say another word.

And at that moment, Isla felt the weight of Alfred Wyndham’s love more clearly than ever before.