Aria’s POV
“I’ve sent Margaret to rest,” Patrick announced as he hurried back downstairs, his smile overflowing with false courtesy. “Are you comfortable? Would you like more tea?”
Jeremiah glanced at him once, then looked away in open disgust.
“No need.”
He stood imdiately.
Vivian glanced down at her untouched cup. She scanned the villa again...the bland interior décor, the hollow luxury.
“We ca today to check on Margaret,” Vivian said coolly. “Though she left the Osborne family, that doesn’t an we’re heartless.”
Her gaze locked onto Patrick.
The threat was unmistakable.
Cold sweat broke out along his spine. I could sll it.
“Margaret is safe with ,” he said quickly. “Please don’t worry, Aunt Vivian. Uncle Jeremiah.”
Kathy followed them toward the door, but paused and turned back.
“Rember to contact the dia.”
Patrick stiffened.
He’d been busy with hosting a fake funeral anniversary for Clarence, spinning narratives, laying traps ant for . The Osborne family’s involvent will smash all of it to pieces.
“Of course!” he said instantly.
Kathy studied him for a long mont before leaving.
Patrick had arranged staff to see Vivian Jeremiah and Kathy out, so Rowland and I walked ahead freely.
“He says he’ll help you deal with the dia,” Rowland drawled. “Do you believe him?”
I kept my gaze forward.
“I believe him.”
A small smile curved my lips. “Pleasing the Osborne family is far more useful than opposing .”
That would help out a bit. Patrick wouldn’t want to plot sches against rightaway, that would give the ti I need to strike.
A soft laugh escaped , light and unbothered.
Rowland’s eyes darkened, never leaving my face.
Then Vivian’s voice called from behind us.
“Aria.”
Only then did Rowland and I turn back.
Vivian hurried toward , her steps unsteady. Her eyes searched my face, anxious and hopeful all at once.
“Dear,” she asked softly, “did you visit your grandmother’s grave recently?”
The question struck like a sudden blow.
My wolf, which had been coiled and alert ever since entering the villa, went completely still. It was as if a massive stone had been dropped onto my chest, crushing the air from my lungs. The faint hum of the bracelet at my wrist stuttered, reacting to the surge of emotion.
I bit my lip and lowered my head.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “Grandma’s resting place is in Duckspire. I know it’s far from Asterfell but I had so personal business there recently, so I went to see her.”
Vivian swayed.
Rowland reacted instantly, stepping forward to steady her, his hands firm and reliable. Jeremiah leaned heavily on his cane, unmoving, but I could see his knuckles whitening around the handle, as if letting go even for a second would cause him to fall.
At the ntion of my grandmother, Vivian’s eyes filled with tears.
My heart stirred with mories of my grandma...That woman who used to sing to under the moon, who taught how to listen to the wind and feel the pulse of the earth beneath my feet.
Vivian’s voice trembled as she spoke, as though her emotions were lagging behind reality itself.
“Back then, she was so worried about Margaret that she insisted on following her to Asterfell. But in the end...” Vivian paused, swallowing hard. “Her heart couldn’t take it. She settled alone in Duckspire instead.”
My fingers curled slowly.
“I never imagined,” Vivian whispered, “that the year we t again would be the last. Now... we’re separated by death.”
“Mom,” Kathy said gently, stepping forward and rubbing Vivian’s back. “You’re getting older too. When people reach that age, this is... inevitable.”
Her words were practical, but her eyes were red.
Vivian swayed again, and this ti she reached for . I instinctively offered my arm, and she clutched it tightly, as though my presence was anchoring her to the ground.
Her head remained lowered, silver-streaked hair hiding her face, but grief radiated from her like cold mist.
Jeremiah watched from the side, pain etched deeply into his features. He lifted his hand once... twice... then let it fall.
His gaze t mine, heavy with aning.
He was telling to comfort her.
I didn’t need to be told.
I turned my hand over, gently enclosing Vivian’s, my thumb brushing slow, steady circles against her palm, the sa way my grandmother used to calm when I grew restless as a child.
“Grandma...” I stopped myself and corrected smoothly. “Mrs. Osborne... if you’re willing...once I finish handling my current matters, would you co with to Duckspire again?”
Vivian slowly raised her head.
Her eyes t mine, searching, then softening.
She nodded, gripping my hand as she blinked back tears. “Sweet child.”
She patted my hand, then glanced at Kathy with a tired smile. “You’re right. The departed are gone. I shouldn’t deepen my sorrow like this.”
She exhaled, long and slow.
“Aria,” she added gently, “now that you know who we are...don’t call that anymore. It sounds too distant.”
I was still processing her words when she continued, not giving ti to recover.
“Your grandmother was my blood sister,” Vivian said quietly. “That makes you my granddaughter too.”
Her gaze swept over my face, lingering.
Kathy stepped closer and smiled, patting my shoulder. “From now on, you should call her Grandma.”
The word echoed in my mind.
Vivian looked at expectantly.
“Grandma.”
The word slipped out before I could overthink it.
Vivian nearly burst into tears.
“Good! Good child!”
Jeremiah shuffled over, tapping my foot lightly with the tip of his cane.
I looked up at him.
He said nothing, but his eyes were wide and unmistakably expectant.
I smiled faintly. “Grandpa.”
The stern lines on his face lted instantly. He chuckled and pulled a ring from his finger, pressing it into my palm.
“Since your grandma, Vivian, gave you a gift,” he said, “I can’t be too stingy.”
I instinctively tried to push it back, but Kathy closed my fingers over it.
“It is a gift from your grandpa. Accept it.”
“What’s with all the formality?” Vivian added. “We’re family.”
“Alright, everyone let’s go,” Jeremiah said, walking towards the gate with Vivian.
“They’ve waited too long to see you,” Rowland murmured as he fell in step beside . “Let them give you sothing.”
Kathy heard him.
She raised an eyebrow and stepped between us without hesitation, shoving Rowland aside.
Rowland’s expression darkened briefly, but Kathy spoke first. “I heard Aria is now single. And right now we are at Darvin villa, with surveillance everywhere. Why are you two glued together?”
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