Aria’s POV
For a split second, Nathan’s expression softened. “Thank Sophia,” he said coolly. “It was her idea to help the children.”
“Nathan...” Sophia blushed, smiling shyly, clearly savoring the mont.
I looked away.
Beside , Jonathan Anderson, as they called him here, exchanged a brief glance with . Without a word, we both reached into our pockets.
I tightened my grip on Nala’s hand.
“I want to sponsor this child,” I said clearly.
The words rang out, cutting cleanly through the murmurs.
Martin froze.
Sophia stiffened.
Nathan turned sharply toward . His frown was imdiate.
Sophia blinked in surprise, then sothing clicked behind her eyes as if an understanding had just blood.
“Sister,” she said softly, stepping forward as if concerned, “you don’t have to offer sponsorship just because Nathan and I are considering adoption.” She clasped her hands, her eyes wide and earnest. “Sponsorship is different. It still requires responsibility and long-term commitnt. It’s not a decision to make on impulse.”
She covered her mouth as if startled by her own words, though I caught the flicker of disdain she failed to hide.
I t her gaze coldly.
Her frustration flared.
She turned to Nathan, her voice dropping, fragile and pleading. “Nathan... don’t you think I am right?”
My wolf growled quietly. Nathan didn’t look at her. His gaze stayed on .
“Sophia has a point,” he said at last. “Aria, sponsorship shouldn’t be taken lightly. Acting on impulse isn’t fair to the child.”
His brow remained furrowed, as if he were disappointed.
My patience snapped so cleanly it felt like a bone breaking.
I let out a short, cold laugh, the sound sharp enough that my wolf stirred beneath my skin. “The sponsorship will co from my personal account,” I said flatly. “It has nothing to do with the Darvin family or Hemsworth Villa. So tell , why do you feel the need to interfere?”
I tightened my grip on Nala’s small hand.
She might have carried herself with an eerie maturity, but she was still a child. When I told her I wanted to sponsor her, her scent had changed instantly, hope blooming bright and fragile, like a newborn spark. And then, when they tried to take it away, that hope curdled into fear and anxiety. The kind children learn far too early.
My wolf bared her teeth within .
Jonathan must have felt the shift in . His voice ca out gentle, steady, carrying a calming alpha undertone ant to soothe rather than dominate. “Martin,” he said quietly, “process the sponsorship. You can route it through my account as well.”
Nala froze.
She looked up at us, her eyes wide. To her, we probably looked kind benevolent people or maybe even heros. I watched profound joy take root in her gaze.
I felt Nathan’s stare and briefly glanced at him. His gaze was still cold, sharp and burning. His jaw was clenched, his wolf restless.
His mind was probably processing a lot of thoughts at the mont especially after Jonathan and I showed interest in sponsoring Nala together.
Collins wiped sweat from his brow. Martin, caught under Nathan’s icy glare, stiffened and forced a strained smile. “Miss Aria... this child has a poor reputation in the orphanage. She’s difficult to manage—”
“Enough.”
The single word snapped like a command.
My eyes sharpened, my wolf surging forward just enough to bleed into my gaze. One more word against Nala, and I would tear this place apart brick by brick.
Martin visibly shuddered.
I pulled a pen from my bag. “This is one month’s living expenses for Nala,” I said calmly, writing the check. “I’ll deliver it personally every month or I’ll send soone.”
I capped the pen and placed the check in his trembling hands, leaning in just enough for my voice to drop.
“I’ll also be checking in regularly. And I’ll co myself.” I smiled without warmth. “If Nala’s situation doesn’t improve...”
I didn’t finish the sentence.
I didn’t need to.
Martin t my eyes for half a second then looked away as if burned. Sweat soaked through his collar. He nodded repeatedly. “O–of course! Of course! Nala is very lucky!”
Lucky.
The word tasted bitter.
I knelt in front of Nala, speaking softly to her for a mont, giving her so form of reassurance. When I stood to leave, small fingers suddenly wrapped around mine.
I paused and looked down.
Nala who was always a bit withdrawn and guarded, was holding both my hand and Jonathan’s like they were lifelines.
“Will you co back?” she whispered. Her lips trembled.
My chest tightened painfully.
I crouched again so we were eye level. “Of course I will,” I said without hesitation.
Jonathan rested a hand on her head, gentle and warm.
She smiled shyly and then hugged us both. When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed. My heart lted in a way that felt dangerously close to claiming.
As Jonathan and I reached the gate, Nala was still standing there, watching.
From what I heard, others had sponsored her before. They’d promised, smiled and vanished. The money dried up after a month—two at most. I saw her glance briefly at Martin, then turn away, her face cooling into practiced indifference.
Then, by chance, she t Nathan’s gaze.
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