Chapter 15 A Thoughtful Gift
Aria’s Pov
*During the debut, I want to show you off.” Kian said quietly, tracing circles on my wrist with his thumb. “Not just as Alaric’s heiress… but as my wife.“3
I blinked.g
His voice was soft, careful. He wasn’t demanding–just offering. Like he always did. No pressure. No manipulation. Just Kian.
Before I could reply, Alaric chuckled from the hospital bed. “Leave it to me. I’ll handle it. Just make sure you’re both there.”
I nodded slowly. “We’ll be there.“}
Alaric squeezed my hand. “Thank you for accepting, Aria.“}
I forced a smile, kissed his cheek, and let Kian lead me out of the hospital.
The car ride home was quiet. I stared out the window, still reeling.§
“This is all happening so fast,” I whispered.\
Kian reached for my hand. “Then take a breath. You’ll rise slowly, Aria. And they’ll all pay. One by one.“>
I nodded.
He turned the steering wheel sharply and veered off our usual route.§
“Where are we going?”
have a surprise.”
We drove for another ten minutes before he pulled into a gated private garden. The car came to a halt in front of a cobbled path surrounded by rosés and lilies.
I stepped out slowly, the scent of blooming flowers wrapping around me like a warm scarf.§
Kian led me through the garden, silent, until we reached a clearing.§
Two headstones stood side by side.}
One read: Diana Harrington. Beloved Mother. Loyal to the end.§
The other. Jamie Harrington. Gentle soul. Forever in bloom.
My knees gave out.
I sank to the ground, tears slipping down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Kian crouched beside me. “I had your mother’s grave moved here… somewhere peaceful. And since Mira destroyed Jamie’s ashes… I wanted to give him a place too.”!
I choked on a sob and flung my arms around him.§
He held me tightly, rubbing circles on my back.
“I didn’t know I needed this,” I whispered.§
“You deserve more than this. But it’s a start.”}
I touched the cold marble. “I promise I’ll get justice for both of you.”> Kian knelt beside me in silence, giving me the space to grieve.} We stayed like that until the sun dipped behind the horizon. When we got home, one of Kian’s assistants met us at the door.” “The company you wanted us to fix up–it’s ready for use, sir.“}
I turned to Kian. “Already?“}
He nodded. “I told you. Anything for you.”
“I want to merge it with my father’s company,” I said. “No more hiding.”
Kian smiled. “I’ll make the arrangements.”}
The next morning, I woke up to a crisp white envelope on my dresser.
Inside was an invitation.
You’re cordially invited to the debut of Mrs. Aria Foster, Heiress of Alaric DeLuca.N
Attached was a smaller note:
Spend the day with me? – Dad.
I smiled.
Alaric’s mansion was massive. White stone walls, fountains, towering pillars… It looked like something out of a dream.
“I feel like I’m walking into a movie,” I muttered.
He met me at the door himself, dressed casually in a white linen shirt and black slacks,
“Welcome, daughter.”
It felt strange… but warm.
0
12.03 AMO
We started slow. He gave me a tour of the house–showed me his personal design room, where sketches hung on the walls like artwork.
“I used to stare at your campaigns,” I admitted, laughing. “Never thought I’d be here.“}
I added. “I used to wonder where my spark came from. Now I know.”
He smiled.
We played cards, watched old runway shows, and shared stories. By evening, the silence between us was gone.”
“Can I ask you something?” I said, sipping from my glass of juice.
“Anything.”
“Why didn’t you have more children? After everything?”
He looked down at his glass. “I did. Or so I thought. But when I found out my wife had been cheating… my children weren’t mine. None of them. It was already too late to start going into the love market again.”
I winced.
He sighed. “But you… you’re mine, Aria. The only one I have now.“>
I swallowed hard.
“I just wish I wasn’t dying,” he said, voice cracking. “I wish I had more time with you. I wish I could hold my grandchildren someday.“} I nearly choked. “What grandchildren?”
His grin was mischievous. “Don’t play dumb. I see the way Kian looks at you.”
laughed nervously. “He’s… persistent.”
“He’s in love with you,” Alaric said gently. “And you love him too. You just don’t want to admit it.”
I stared at the floor.
“I loved the wrong man,” I said softly. “It nearly killed me. It killed my mother.“>
“And if you keep holding onto that pain, you’ll let it kill your future too.”
I looked up at him.
“You think I’m still living in my past?“}
“I know you are. Because the woman I see now is strong, talented, brilliant–and still terrified.”
I didn’t speak.
He reached for my hand. “Don’t let what Austin did become your prison.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
I nodded.
“Okay, Dad.”
His whole face lit up. He looked ten years younger.
“Say that again.”
“Okay… Dad.”
He laughed, pulling me into a hug. “Best thing I’ve heard in years.”
12:03 AM
Aria’s Pov
