Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld
Chapter 176 I Wanted to Be There for Lela

As Lela watched the faint light in Flora's eyes slowly extinguish, panic took hold of her. She rose from Flora's embrace, cupping her sister's pure and beautiful face in her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mom's gone, but you still have me. You need to live. Let me stay by your side, okay?"

At that moment, Lela couldn't think of anything else. She didn't know if her actions were selfish; she just wanted Flora to stay alive. After such a long search, she had only recently confirmed they were sisters.

The stories that her mother told were not that many, and Lela had been too young then to grasp much of the situation.

That's why the search had taken so long.

She didn't want to lose Flora.

Tears fell despite her efforts of holding them in, making this only the second time Lela had wept in her life.

Flora, heart aching at the sight, gently wiped her tears, then tenderly cleared the tears from the corners of Lela's eyes, offering her a frail smile. "Okay, I promise to be there for you, always."

Flora was exhausted, now yearning to simply be there for Lela.

It felt like starting over again.

Lela nodded vehemently, holding her sister close, a tribal lullaby slipping from her lips.

Sylvester stood at the doorway, hands in his pockets, eyes downcast and tinged with mixed emotions. He listened to their exchange, his heart going out to Lela.

Three days later, at Dragon Manor, in the early morning; Lela lay in bed wearing a pink strappy nightgown, her delicate collarbones and slender, and fair ankles exposed. Her peaceful face was the picture of serenity in sleep. Flora lay beside her, gazing at Lela with adoration in her eyes.

After a moment, she leaned in to press a kiss to Lela's forehead, a smile gracing her lips. "Good morning, Lela."

A mountain of work awaited Flora; it was time to go.

With that, she rose slowly and slipped out of the room.

Downstairs in the living room, Sylvester sat in his loungewear, scanning the latest financial news without much of an exchange when Flora passed by.

Sylvester was, by nature, a man of stoicism and indifference. In this world, his sole gentleness, patience, deep affection, and doting were reserved exclusively for Lela.

Other than that, his heart had no room for anyone else.

These past three days, with Lela clinging to Flora, he hadn't even managed to hold Lela, and it frustrated Sylvester.

His possessiveness ran deep; even if this woman was Lela's sister, it did little to quell his discomfort.

Flora descended the stairs and gave Sylvester a deep bow, her demeanor respectful and earnest. "I want to thank Mr. Gomez for his hospitality these past few days. I must be leaving today, but please, take good care of Lela."

Sylvester leaned back on the couch, his attitude detached and nonchalant. At her words, he let out a scoff and frowned, "If you leave, Lela will surely be upset. As for the rest, spare me the lecture."

For Lela, he would move heaven and earth to shower her with all the world's splendors to dote on and spoil her.

Hearing this, Flora smiled, "Hearing Mr. Gomez's promise, I can leave with peace of mind. As for cheering Lela up, I trust you'll manage just fine."

She had seen these last few days how much Lela loved Mr. Gomez.

No one wished for Lela's happiness more than she did.

Sylvester thought to himself with a smirk he was quite the expert at pleasing Lela.

As Flora made her way back to Central City, she received a message from her agent that turned her face ghostly pale.