Chapter 106.1

Chapter 106.1

After regaining his composure and leaving the emergency room, André said he wanted to go back to his apartment at Columbus Circle. But Enzo ignored the order and drove straight to the Lafayette Residence.

If he left André alone in the apartment and another breathing attack happened like before…

The thought made Enzo’s shoulders shiver. He knocked lightly on the wooden dashboard three times, a superstitious gesture to ward off bad luck.

Under normal circumstances, disobeying André’s orders would have been unthinkable. But as the driver who had been at his side since the day André was born at Mount Sinai Hospital and brought home with Grace, Enzo had every right to make judgment calls when it came to his safety.

André only sighed quietly as he noticed the car heading toward the Upper East Side. He slouched to one side, gazing blankly out the window.

He had never looked so undone before.

There was no doubt the attack had something to do with Miran.

After dropping André off at the entrance, Enzo parked one block away, then took the service elevator up to the Lafayette Residence. The elevator opened directly into Chef Noël’s kitchen.

As Enzo stepped out, Mr. Higgins entered, announcing André’s arrival and telling Chef Noël to prepare dinner.

Enzo moved closer to Sophia, who was trimming vegetables, and asked quietly,

[Something happened with Master André, didn’t it?]

Sophia glanced around, making sure Higgins was gone, then leaned in and whispered,

[Yes, something big.]

She had gone to André’s apartment that morning and saw that Miran had packed up all her things and left. Excitedly, she said it must mean the rumors about his engagement to Lady Cabot were true.

Enzo’s mustache twitched as his face tightened in frustration.

[Then why did he go all the way to the language school to get her?]

He tilted his head, then suddenly smacked his forehead with his palm.

[Dio mio!]

So she hadn’t just left the apartment—she had left the country.

It was clear André hadn’t known.

That was why, when he went to the language academy and found out, the shock had hit him so hard it triggered hyperventilation.

[Ah…]

A sigh of pity escaped Enzo’s lips.

He couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different had the warm-hearted Charles raised André alongside Grace. Growing up under Grace’s cold and strict hand, André had never shown anything close to real human emotion. Miran had been the first woman to ever reach his heart.

And it was always the confident, self-assured men who fell hardest in their first love.

They’d fall for someone completely, without even realizing it, act recklessly, and only when it was over would they realize what they’d lost—when it was already far too late.

That kind of love always left a mark that never faded. The memories might blur with age, but the burn left by that feverish passion would last a lifetime.

Enzo shook his head slowly and clicked his tongue.

[Tsk, tsk. Time heals all wounds, I suppose.]

—

André de Lafayette had locked himself in the wine cellar.

The entire household staff was on alert. Word had spread that André had been to the emergency room, and even Nonna had been called in, pacing anxiously outside the cellar.

[Forget dinner. Go on, everyone, get back to work.]

André’s voice came out strained.

It felt like his throat had closed up; if he swallowed anything, he might choke or throw it right back up.

At his words, the staff scattered, but Higgins still didn’t move.

[…No one is to disturb me. No one.]

When André repeated himself firmly, Higgins furrowed his brow, lifting his chin with a stubborn look.

[Understood. I’ll wait outside until you come out.]

It was both a warning and a protest.

[Higgins.]

André said his name on a sigh. Higgins met his gaze without flinching. Seeing the worry in the old butler’s eyes, André spoke in a weary voice.

[Just for today, leave me alone. I can’t…]

He rubbed his face with both hands, his pale lips barely moving.

[I can’t breathe. Please.]

André de Lafayette, the true master of the Lafayette family, the man who had built its legacy and prestige alongside the butler, was collapsing before his eyes, and even Higgins couldn’t hide his shock.

The old man’s wrinkled lips parted as he stared blankly at André, then closed again as he gave a short, respectful nod. As a butler, the only thing he could do was give his master space to fall apart with dignity.

[Good night, Mr. Lafayette.]

Finally left alone, André slumped into the chair in the corner of the wine cellar. He grabbed a bottle of the whiskey Charles had treasured and drank straight from it, letting out a bitter laugh.