<h4>Chapter 222: Hold A Candle</h4>


    At Meyer Residence


    Alyssa was in her studio, carefully arranging hertest sculptures, when her phone buzzed. She hesitated, biting her lower lip. Ca had been calling every day, and Alyssa couldn’t help but feel guilty for not answering sooner. Ca’s constant tears and regret over breaking up with Alexander weighed on her, and it was clear she was struggling to move on.


    After a few more rings, Alyssa sighed deeply and decided to answer.


    "I’ll being back next Saturday, and this time it’s for good," Ca said without preamble.


    Alyssa’s face brightened as she responded, "That’s great!" She genuinely missed Ca. Despite the distance, she had made yearly trips to Lamey Country to visit her. Without any sisters of her own, Ca had be like one. Alyssa admired her deeply, looking up to her throughout their childhood.


    Ca had always treated Alyssa with kindness, and her influence was undeniable. Inspired by Ca’s creativity, Alyssa pursued fine arts. While she excelled in a wide range of talents, Alyssa had found her true passion in painting and sculpture.


    Her skills in various areas hadn’t gone unnoticed. She’d received offers for modelling, acting, singing, and even ying musical instruments, all of which she was proficient in. But art was where her hearty, and nothingpared to the satisfaction she got from creating with her hands.


    "Did you meet her already?" Ca asked, her voice strained, and Alyssa knew exactly who she was referring to.


    "I haven’t, but I will tomorrow," Alyssa replied, letting out a sigh. "Uncle Rock arranged a small gathering at the ancestral mansion to introduce her to the whole family."


    There was a pause, and Alyssa could hear Ca trying to stifle her sobs.


    "I’ll bring my boyfriend, Brian, tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll steal the spotlight from her," Alyssa added yfully, trying to lighten the mood.


    "Don’t do that," Ca whispered, her voice wavering. "Alexander won’t like it. It’s fine, Alyssa. I’m trying to move on, even though it’s so hard. I just need to see Alexander... to have a proper closure, face to face. I just..."


    Ca’s voice broke, and Alyssa’s heart sank.


    "Don’t worry," Alyssa said quickly, trying tofort her. "I’ll help you. I’ll make sure you get the chance to talk to him."


    She still couldn’t wrap her head around how her cousin, Alexander, could throw away the years he’d spent with Ca for a woman he barely knew. A month? How could he abandon something so solid and familiar for something so new and uncertain? It just didn’t make sense to her.


    "I’m really having a hard time, Alyssa," Ca murmured, her voice heavy with emotion. "I just hope she’s someone who truly deserves him. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive myself for prioritizing my career over him."


    Alyssa sighed, understanding the weight of her friend’s words. "Focus on your work there, Ca. Don’t stress too much about my cousin right now. I’ll be with you when youe back, and tomorrow, I’ll finally meet this Rain yton. Let’s see how impressive she really is to have managed to ’trap’ Alexander."


    "Thank you, Alyssa. You’re always there for me, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I promise I’ll make it up to you when I’m back," Ca replied, her gratitude clear.


    Alyssa smiled softly. Ca had always been the picture of perfection... talented, smart, and graceful. It made it even harder for her to ept that Alexander had chosen someone like Rain over her. To Alyssa, Rain yton was still an outsider, someone who had disrupted the harmony in their family.


    After they said their goodbyes and hung up, Alyssa sat in silence for a moment, staring at her phone. "I really feel bad for Ca," she murmured, her heart heavy for her friend.


    But then her eyes drifted to her lock screen, a photo of her and Brian beaming back at her. Her lips curled into a smile as she traced the image. "Aren’t I lucky to have such a wonderful man?" she whispered to herself.


    Brian was everything she could ask for. He was kind, attentive, and respectful. In a world where men like him were rare, she felt fortunate to have spent nearly a year with him. And now, he’d even proposed.


    The thought of their future together filled her with joy. With a happy sigh, she thought, <i>’Maybe things weren’t perfect for Ca and Alexander, but I have my own happy ending to look forward to.’</i>


    Without wasting a moment, Alyssa dialled Brian’s number.


    "Hello," he answered, slightly out of breath.


    "Are you okay? You sound winded," she asked, concerned.


    "Oh no, I’m fine, just working out right now. How about I call you back after I’m done?" he replied with a light chuckle, trying to catch his breath.


    "Alright, but don’t forget to be at your best tomorrow," Alyssa reminded him. "It’s just a casual lunch, but I’m nning to surprise everyone by introducing you. I want to catch my father off guard."


    Brian’s voice softened. "Don’t worry, I’ll be ready. I love you, Alyssa. I’ll call you back once I’m finished."


    As the call ended, Alyssa’s thoughts drifted to tomorrow’s lunch. One thing she was certain her father wouldn’t like about Brian was his background. He came from a middle-ss family, and her father always had strong opinions about such things. Unlike her mother and the Lancaster family, who valued character over wealth, her father held more traditional views.


    ’It’s the perfect chance,’ she thought, a determined smile tugging at her lips. Introducing Brian to the Lancasters would help secure their backing, and with their support, her father’s disapproval would be easier to manage.


    The Lancasters’ influence was strong, and she knew they wouldn’t judge Brian for his financial status. With the family rallying behind her, her father wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if he tried to challenge her rtionship.


    She sighed contentedly, knowing that tomorrow’s introduction was an important step for her and Brian... And she mustn’t forget her other task tomorrow, which is assessing this Rain yton.


    Alyssa was determined to see if this woman could even hold a candle to her dear friend Ca in any aspect. Ca was perfect in her eyes... elegant, intelligent, and aplished in everything she touched. How could she possiblypare to someone like Ca, who had been in Alexander’s life for years?