My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325: Quiet mansion

Since the mansion wasn’t far from the cemetery, we arrived only a short while later.

As the convoy rolled through the tall iron gates, I found myself staring at the familiar yet strangely unfamiliar estate.

The grand mansion still stood exactly as I remembered it.

The marble driveway remained spotless, the neatly trimmed hedges lined the path on either side, and the elegant water fountain in the center of the courtyard continued to flow peacefully, as though time itself had never moved forward.

Everything looked the same.

Yet somehow...

Nothing felt the same anymore.

Ever since Nana passed away, the mansion had lost the warmth that once made it feel alive.

The laughter that used to echo through its halls.

The comforting aroma of desserts drifting from the kitchen whenever she insisted on baking for us.

Even the servants who hurried about their work now seemed quieter than before.

It was still the Blackwood Mansion.

Still magnificent.

Still imposing.

But without Nana...

It no longer felt like home.

The car came to a gentle stop at the front entrance.

For a brief moment, none of us moved.

Alexander reached over and gently covered my hand with his.

"You don’t have to force yourself," he said quietly. "If you want to leave at any point, just tell me."

I looked at him before glancing down at Aimy, who was still peacefully asleep in my arms.

Taking a slow breath, I nodded.

"I’m alright."

At least...

I hoped I was.

Alexander stepped out first before coming around to open my door. As always, he reached for Aimy first, carefully lifting her into his arms before offering me his hand.

Together, we climbed the familiar marble steps and walked toward the mansion that held so many precious memories... and just as many painful ones....

"Welcome, Sir Alexander... Mrs. Alicia."

Mrs. Evelyn greeted us warmly the moment we stepped inside the mansion.

"It’s been a while, Mrs. Evelyn," I said with a smile.

"It certainly has."

Her gaze fell on the sleeping Aimy in Alexander’s arms, and her expression softened immediately.

She smiled fondly before stepping aside.

"Please, come in."

She led us into the living room.

The mansion was unusually quiet.

The spacious room that had once been filled with Nana’s laughter now felt almost too silent.

Alexander glanced around.

"Where’s Uncle Steve?"

"Master Steve is upstairs," Mrs. Evelyn replied.

"Miss Angela just left with Bella. They went to the park."

Alexander nodded.

"I’ll go put Aimy down first."

I nodded in agreement.

"I’ll wait here."

Carefully carrying our sleeping daughter, he headed upstairs.

As I watched him disappear, my eyes wandered around the familiar living room.

Everything had been kept exactly the same.

The furniture.

The decorations.

Even Nana’s favorite flowers still rested on the center table.

Yet...

Without her...

The mansion no longer felt as lively as it once had.

I was relieved Aunt Angela wasn’t here.

No matter what the police investigation had concluded...

The fear she’d left behind hadn’t disappeared overnight.

"Alicia."

I looked up to see Uncle Steve coming downstairs with his usual gentle smile.

"Uncle."

He walked over and sat beside me.

"So... you really came."

"I promised I would."

He smiled.

"Where are Alexander and Aimy?"

"Aimy fell asleep on the way here."

"Alexander took her upstairs."

He nodded before quietly studying me.

His eyes were filled with emotion.

"What is it?" I asked with a small laugh.

He sighed softly.

"You’ve really grown."

"I still remember the little girl who used to run around this mansion whenever Johann brought you here to visit Mum and Dad."

"And then..."

"You became that quiet teenager who buried herself in books."

He smiled warmly.

"And now..."

"You’re a mother."

"I’m sure johann would be incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become."

"And Mum..."

"I know she’d be smiling too."

I lowered my eyes.

"I wouldn’t have made it this far without you and Nana."

"You both gave me a home when I had nowhere else to go."

"Staying doesn’t feel like a sacrifice."

"It feels like the choice I truly wanted to make."

A warm smile spread across Uncle Steve’s face.

"I’m happy for you."

"I truly hope the two of you stay this happy forever."

He gently squeezed my hand.

A little while later, Alexander came downstairs, and the three of us spent some time talking before I went upstairs to check on Aimy.

She was still fast asleep.

Not wanting to wake her, I quietly wandered through the hallway for a while before returning downstairs for lunch.

By the time lunch was over, Aimy had finally woken up.

Alexander went upstairs with Uncle Steve while I fed her.

A few minutes later, Uncle Steve returned carrying paper and colored pencils.

"Bella told me you like drawing."

Aimy’s eyes immediately lit up.

She nodded enthusiastically.

"I want to learn too."

"Will you teach me?"

She looked at me for permission.

I smiled.

"Go ahead."

Soon, the two of them were sitting together, completely absorbed in drawing little flowers and houses while Aimy happily explained every line she made.

Watching them made my heart unexpectedly warm.

Leaving them to enjoy themselves, I decided to take a walk around the garden.

It had been a long time since I’d seen it.

I wondered whether Nana’s favorite flowers were still blooming.

As I followed the familiar stone path, I spotted a tall figure standing beneath one of the old trees.

A smile naturally appeared on my face.

Alexander.

I quietly walked toward him.

But before I got close...

A familiar scent drifted through the breeze.

Cigarette smoke.

My steps slowed.

I stopped a few feet behind him.

Alexander had always tried to make sure neither Aimy nor I ever saw him smoking.

Whenever he did...

He was always alone.

Or hiding it behind the long hours he spent at the office.

Yet...

Every now and then...

I still caught the faint smell lingering on him.