Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 48
Aria’s POV
Kara’s kindness had always felt different from anyone else’s. It wasn’t forced, or even out of some kind of obligation, it came from a place of real compassion.
I could feel it, the way she saw me, the way she understood what it meant to be a woman, a mother. Maybe it was that bond between us that made me trust her more than Peter or some hired nanny ever could.
"No problem! Leave her with me. She’ll be safe and sound till you’re back," kara said, her voice warm and reassuring as she gave me a hearty nod.
Relief flooded through me, though a small part of me, one that I tried to ignore, still churned with uncertainty. But I couldn’t focus on that now. I needed to get this over with. I needed to deal with them, my mother, the memorial, the inheritance—and leave this whole mess behind, if only for a little while.
I chatted with the women for a little longer, pretending for their sake that everything was normal, even though my thoughts were already elsewhere. But soon enough, it was time to go.
Lana was nestled comfortably in kara’s arms, calm and content, not a fuss in sight. I handed over her bottle, her clothes, and the other supplies I knew would keep her safe, and I watched kara smile as she cooed softly at my daughter. It made me ache a little.
With one last glance at my baby girl, I turned and made my way to the city bus. The weight of everything was settling in my chest, but I couldn’t afford to think about it too long. There was still so much to do.
I dropped some coins into the fare box as I climbed aboard and sat by the window. I watched the city blur by, my gaze distant, heavy with worry.
My bank card was frozen again. The money I had worked so hard for, all my wages from that godforsaken cleaning job, locked away from me. I couldn’t access a cent. The frustration churned inside me, but I kept it buried. The last thing I needed was to let my emotions spill out of control.
The weight of the day pressed against my chest as the trees blurred past. I leaned my head against the cold window, trying to let the city rush by without dragging me down. I had to keep it together. One thing at a time, I told myself. One step forward.
But the weather seemed to be reflecting my mood. The sky turned dark and heavy as I stepped off the bus. Thick clouds rolled in like a bad omen, and before I could even adjust to the change, the drizzle started to fall. Cold raindrops kissed my forehead and ears, and I shivered, the chill biting deep into my skin.
I pulled my jacket tighter around me, moving quickly toward the villa. My shoes squelched in the dampness, but I barely noticed. My heart was thumping in my chest now, faster with every step. What if they had already gone to the cemetery without me? Would they even wait for me? freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
I reached the door to the entrance and knocked firmly, wiping away the damp strands of hair that clung to my forehead, my fingers brushing against the wetness.
The rain made my bangs stick to my skin, heavy and warm, but I barely registered the discomfort. All I could focus on was the anger rising in my chest. I knocked again and again, but no one answered.
My heart started to pound harder as the anger boiled over. Why isn’t anyone answering?
I dialed Margaret’s number, my hand trembling slightly as I held the phone to my ear. The call was abruptly cut off, and I swore under my breath, frustration growing with each passing second. Why can’t she just—
And then, the door creaked open. I froze, the anger in my throat catching, replaced with stunned disbelief. There she stood, Margaret, my mother, looking at me like I was the problem.
"You were inside?" I managed to say, my voice tight. "Why didn’t you open the door?"
She gave me a sidelong glance before turning back inside without so much as an apology. "A convict expects me to roll out the red carpet? What’s wrong with making you wait? Haven’t you learned your lesson in prison?"
Her words struck like a slap, and I felt my insides freeze. It wasn’t just the words. It was the tone. The casual cruelty of it. It sent a wave of something dark through me, something that made my claws itch beneath my skin. She doesn’t even care, she’s never cared.
I stood on the threshold, damp and cold, the rain still dripping off me as the chill seeped into my bones. From where I stood, I could see Sophia lounging comfortably on the sofa, her eyes sharp and cold, gleaming with that unmistakable glint of mockery.
A shiver ran through me, not from the rain, but from the icy sting in my chest.
This was nothing new. Margaret’s game, I thought bitterly. It was always the same. Always some way to remind me that I wasn’t enough. I bit my trembling lip, suppressing the growl that tried to rise from deep inside. My wolf was restless and irritated, sensing the injustice in the air.
A soft, bitter laugh escaped me, and I stepped inside, letting the door close behind me with a quiet click.
The warmth of the house enveloped me immediately, a stark contrast to the cold I carried with me.
I stayed silent, ignoring the taunting glances from Sophia, and my jaw tightened as I headed for the stairs. I wasn’t here to argue. I was here to endure.
"Aria, since you’re hardly ever here, Mom turned your room into my walk-in closet," Sophia’s voice called out, sweet and sickly, full of mock sweetness that was unmistakable. "You can make do in the spare storage room for a few days."
