Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 397: Instinctively Drawn to Her

Chapter 397: Instinctively Drawn to Her

Henry sat quietly, blinking softly.

Though he couldn’t speak or move much, he could still feel everything, and that kiss—those soft lips—had made his heart skip a beat. A faint warmth rose to his face.

Lauren wasn’t as stunning as Ella, but her cheerful personality, gentle nature, and kind heart made her uniquely endearing.

In truth, Henry had started regaining sensation a year ago, though he couldn’t express it or even move his eyes. Now, it seemed like everything was slowly coming back.

At this moment, he thought...being with Lauren might not be so bad. Her vibrant, talkative demeanor complemented his quiet, reserved nature perfectly.

Besides...that kiss was his first kiss. A precious, unforgettable first kiss.

...

The day Lucas was discharged from the hospital, Ella stayed in her hotel room, poring over the Miller family’s history.

Luke called to ask if she wanted to join him in picking up Lucas.

Ella declined, naturally. Eric didn’t want her rushing to reconcile with her biological father, and she agreed. She needed more time to process everything, to adjust her mindset. When the time was right, things would feel more natural, and less awkward.

Eric was particularly busy today and couldn’t be with her.

Feeling drowsy, Ella was startled by another call from Luke. Annoyed, she hung up.

But his persistence was relentless. Each time she declined, he called back, to the point where she was tempted to turn off her phone altogether.

Eventually, she picked up with a resigned sigh.

"Father is waiting in the hotel lobby for you. He’s inviting you to visit the family home," Luke said, his voice calm and low as always, devoid of anger.

Ella’s reply was icy. "I’m not going."

"He’s been waiting for an hour already. Do you really have the heart to let a man fresh out of the hospital keep waiting?" Luke’s tone finally betrayed a flicker of frustration.

Ella’s hand trembled slightly.

"Father said he’ll wait for as long as it takes. He won’t leave until you come down and agree to visit the house. If you join us, we’ll make sure you’re back here by tonight," Luke added, his voice firm.

Ella let out a cold laugh and hung up on him again, unwilling to hear another word.

But as she paced back and forth in her room, her resolve wavered.

When had she started feeling so conflicted over something like this?

After several minutes of internal struggle, Ella finally let out a groan of defeat. She changed into a more formal outfit, grabbed her handbag, and sent a quick update to Eric before heading out.

Eric had left two bodyguards stationed outside her room. When she exited the hotel, they followed her without question.

Given the current situation, Ella didn’t protest. She knew it was safer to have them accompany her, especially when visiting the Anderson family estate.

...

Lucas’s home was located on the outskirts of Wall City, where the land was flat and expansive. His estate was massive. As soon as Ella stepped out of the car, her eyes were drawn to the breathtaking sight of blooming roses stretching across the grounds.

For a moment, she was stunned, the beautiful estate reminding her of the new home she and Eric were building together.

"Ella, come on in," Lucas called, his voice filled with excitement. "The air and the environment here are wonderful. You could live here anytime you like. And if this place doesn’t suit you, I’ll buy you a house anywhere you want."

His face was alight with joy, his eyes radiating a father’s love and tenderness for his daughter.

Ella shook her head lightly. "No need. I’m not accustomed to staying in Country W for long periods."

Lucas’s enthusiasm remained undeterred. "That’s fine too. If you prefer Country S, I can always move there."

Ella said nothing, merely following the marble pathway into the grand hall.

Inside the grand hall, several men in black stood alongside a group of servants. Upon Lucas’s return, everyone greeted him with deference and respect.

"Make yourself comfortable. Feel free to look around if you’d like," Lucas said with a warm smile. Ella nodded and glanced at him.

Lucas still looked fatigued, his complexion slightly pale. Unsure of what to talk about, Ella turned and began walking upstairs.

The estate was a three-story European-style villa, exuding a romantic and cozy elegance. On the second-floor corridor, Ella noticed a series of self-portraits of Isabella.

The paintings depicted a young woman with a gentle smile, wearing a princess dress. Her mother, Isabella, must have been around sixteen or seventeen at the time.

Eight portraits lined the walls of the corridor, each one a self-portrait of Isabella.

Someone approached from behind.

"Father has always kept these paintings here," Luke said in his usual detached tone. "No one is allowed to touch them."

Ella frowned, giving him an annoyed look but choosing not to respond.

Luke noticed her icy demeanor. "You’re like a hedgehog. Did I offend you somehow?"

Normally, Luke wasn’t the type to initiate conversation, not even with beautiful women. But here he was, attempting to engage with Ella, only to be ignored completely. A flicker of irritation stirred within him, mixed with an inexplicable desire to win her over.

Ella, treating him as if he were invisible, moved from one painting to the next. These were portraits she had never seen before.

"Father painted these," Luke said, breaking the silence. "He’s not just a businessman; he’s also a talented amateur artist."

Ella paused, artist? The thought reminded her of Brandon. She realized that her and Isabella’s fates bore an uncanny resemblance to each other.

Lucas’s talents and charm explained why her mother had fallen for him so deeply—deeply enough to defy everything, even marrying a man she didn’t love, to bring Ella into the world.

Ella reached out to touch Isabella’s painted face, but before her fingers could make contact, Luke smacked her hand away with a sharp motion.

"Don’t touch!" he commanded coldly.

Ella raised an eyebrow and glanced at her reddened hand. He hadn’t held back at all.

"What if I do touch it?" she snapped, her voice laced with disdain. "She’s my mother, not yours!"

Luke’s gaze softened when he saw her reddened hand. He suddenly felt foolish for reacting so strongly.

Growing up in this house, Luke had often seen Lucas stop servants from touching these paintings, scolding them fiercely if they tried. Over time, it became second nature for Luke to do the same.

This estate had been his home for so long that it felt sacred to him. His protective instincts had taken over.

"I’m sorry," Luke said with a subdued tone. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just acted on impulse."

Ella ignored him and moved to the next painting.

In this one, Isabella was reclining on a grassy field, her smile playful and carefree.

Ella’s eyes reddened, and a lump formed in her throat. Her mother looked so young and beautiful, so full of life. Ella wished desperately that she could go back to when she was three years old and save Isabella from the hell she’d endured.

The sight of Ella standing there, her expression heavy with sorrow, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, struck something deep within Luke.

Her beauty, combined with her vulnerability, stirred an unfamiliar feeling of tenderness in him. Without thinking, he reached out to wipe away the tear forming in the corner of her eye.