Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 869

Chapter 869 Why Harvey Let Go

Claudia finally felt the tension leave her chest.

She’d been wondering whether she should say something to Damian, but now she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Zander is so lucky to have you all,” Claudia said, holding Harold’s warm hand.

Harold gave a soft smile and shook his head. “No. We’re the lucky ones to have you.”

He carried Zander to the nursery that had been prepared earlier. It was originally meant for him–they had started setting it up back when they first planned to send him to stay with relatives out of state.

After laying Zander down and tucking him in, Harold gave the nanny a few instructions, then took Claudia’s hand and led her back to their room.

They both took showers and settled into bed.

Harold had quite a bit to drink that evening. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and brushed a kiss against her hair.

“When is this going to be over?”

His voice was low, restrained, and even his breath felt warm against her skin.

Claudia took a deep breath in the darkness, feeling the heat of his body along her back.

After a while, Harold’s breathing evened out into sleep, but Claudia remained wide awake.

Something about the look in Harvey’s eyes earlier had felt transparent–like she’d finally seen right through him.

She rolled over slowly and watched Harold sleeping beside her.

His breaths were steady, his familiar scent wrapping around her in the quiet room.

Claudia reached out, touched his cheek gently, then leaned in to kiss his lips.

She slipped out of bed carefully, pulled the blanket up over Harold’s shoulders, put on her slippers, and stepped out onto the balcony.

Downstairs, Louis and Damian were still talking softly.

She threw on a light jacket and made her way down.

“Claudia, can’t sleep?” Damian had just poured himself a cup of herbal drink.

“Hey Damian. Grandpa.”

Damian could tell something was weighing on her, so he poured another cup. “If you’re up, join us for a

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Chapter 869 Why Harvey Let Go

bit.”

Claudia took a seat.

Just then, Harvey stepped out too and settled into the chair beside her.

She noticed the cup next to hers had just been filled by Damian.

So he couldn’t sleep either….

In truth, Damian had hoped to speak with Harvey alone, but now Claudia was here too.

“Harold asleep?” Harvey took a sip of his drink and glanced toward her.

“Yeah.” She wasn’t sure how to begin.

Louis read her hesitation. “If you’ve got something to ask, just say it. No need to hold it in.”

“I…” She clasped her hands together, her palms slightly damp.

Harvey set his mug down. “You want to know about the past, don’t you?”

Claudia turned to meet his gaze, then nodded quietly.

The three men shared a look. Finally, Harvey was the one who spoke first.

He was the one most involved–the one who had the right to tell it.

After Claudia went back upstairs, Damian looked over at Harvey. “Any regrets?”

Regrets about not finding the courage to fight for Claudia back then,

“Regret what?” Harvey smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“What’s done is done with Claudia. What are your plans now?”

Louis stayed quiet, sipping his wine, listening closely.

“Whatever you think is best,” Harvey replied, eyes fixed on his half–empty cup.

“Alright. After Thanksgiving, I’ll have your mother look into some options for you.”

“Okay.” Harvey nodded. “I’m going to head up and try to rest.”

He left his wine on the table and made his way upstairs.

Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling, sleep refusing to come.

Claudia couldn’t sleep either.

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18:36 Mon,

Chapter 869 Why Harvey Let Go

She lay in the dark, also gazing upward.

Harvey had told her everything, exactly as it happened.

They had all been prepared for her to react strongly, maybe break down.

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But it seemed she had already made peace with it in her own way. Yesterday, after returning to the family estate, she’d sometimes zone out, get that distant look, even tear up without meaning to.

Tonight, when it was all laid out plainly, Claudia simply listened.

It wasn’t until Harvey reached the part about Graham and the Cross family discussing her engagement that his voice thickened and he had to pause.

Graham had said that if she ever loved someone, he hoped no one would use an old engagement agreement to hold her to it.

He knew what kind of family the Crosses were, and he trusted they’d treat her well.

But more than that, he wanted them to respect her.

Claudia turned and looked at Harold, sound asleep beside her, then curled into his arms.

Even in his sleep, he tightened his hold and pulled her closer.

“Good girl…” he mumbled drowsily.

Claudia answered softly, burying her face against his chest. “Yeah.”

Now she finally understood–Harvey and Harold were the ones she had pulled back from the edge all those years ago.

It wasn’t some vague old family history like they’d always said.

Her own father just hadn’t made it out in time.

Harold had always called it “grown folks‘ business,” but really, they just didn’t want to bring it up and risk reopening her wounds.

Tonight, she had intended to ask Louis about it quietly, but in the end, it was Harvey who laid it all out.

Everyone had been keeping it from her.

When Claudia left the room earlier, she’d still caught Harvey looking her way without meaning to.

His eyes held so much unspoken affection.

He never once mentioned his own feelings for her.

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18:36 Mon,

Chapter 869 Why Harvey Let Go

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The wedding dress, the private island, the unlimited card–he’d started arranging all of it from the beginning.

It was just that in those two years after returning from overseas, he’d gotten swept up in taking over the family business and let the matter of marrying Claudia slip through the cracks.

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