From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 260

Chapter 260 Shire Family

As Leander stepped out of Maplebrook Manor, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind him. He didn’t turn, but the sharp rhythm on the stone path said enough.

Maeve was running.

Still in her formal gown, she gripped the hem to keep from tripping as she chased after him. Her heels struck the ground hard with each stride. The manor staff nearby stood frozen, stunned to see her tear across the courtyard without a shred of restraint.

She reached him breathless, eyes shining with stubborn fire. “You’re just gonna leave?”

Leander looked at her, his voice cool and distant. “What else would you expect?”

Maeve bit her lip. Her hands were shaking. “You don’t have anything to say to me?”

He stood tall. His face gave nothing away.

“I already said everything that mattered.”

Her voice cracked, full of pain and disbelief. “You said it, but I didn’t understand it.

“You told me you never felt anything for me. That I was just someone you happened to save. But did you ever ask how I felt?

“You were everything to me. You were the one I believed in. For over two years, my sister and my father told me you were dead. Do you have any idea what that did to me?

“Now I finally find you, and you treat me like a stranger. Like I don’t even deserve the chance to be near you.”

She took a step closer, tears running freely. “What am I supposed to do?”

By then, she could barely speak. The sobs came hard and heavy. She had thought she was strong. She had kept her pain locked inside for years, pretending she was fine.

But now that he stood right in front of her, she realized she had only ever held on because of him.

Leander was the one thing that made her strong. And also the one thing that could break her.

“Ask your father. Ask

father. Ask your sister. Don’t ask me.”

His voice stayed cold. He moved past her without stopping.

“Ice Cube! You can hate me, but you better listen!”

Macve shouted at his back. Her voice was loud, raw, and full of heartbreak.

“These past two days, I’ve made up my mind!

“No matter what you say, no matter what you feel, I’m not leaving. Not in this life or the next. You’re stuck with me. I don’t care where you go. I’ll follow you until the day I die.”

Her voice rang out into the open night. Yvette and Ginny had just stepped outside. They heard everything. Neither of them moved. They just stared from afar, unsure of what to do.

Leander stopped. His eyes lowered slightly.

This girl really was hopeless.

He let out a slow breath. Ever since his secret had come out, he knew this was going to happen. Maeve wasn’t going anywhere.

He paused, then turned to face her. His gaze was calm, but his eyes held something deeper- quiet and heavy like a sky before a storm.

“Let’s make a deal.”

Maeve wiped her tears. She stepped toward him quickly and nodded.

“For the next three years, let’s not see each other. Not unless it happens by chance.

“If three years pass and your feelings haven’t changed, then I’ll let you stay by my side.”

Maeve’s lips trembled, but she managed a small smile through the pain.

She whispered to herself. Her eyes were clear now.

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