Chapter 46: An Unfinished Goodbye
The scent of jasmine tea lingered in the air as Ariana sat alone in the Cameloe estate library. The early morning sun shine through the tall windows, with it rays os sunlight falling on the vintage carpets. Her eyes looks like pander eye As She haven't slept well. A lot was going through her head especially after she met Jesse legal team after yesterday meeting. The little power from their presence and their fast response in doing things was just like the way Jesse handled everything. It has made her afraid.
She sipped the jasmine tea her stepmother had brought in with concern. But even the tea calming attributes couldn't calm the unrest in her chest. She could feel the thorns in her past life trying to affect what she was trying to become.
There was a knock.
"Knock knock."
"Miss Ariana, someone is here to see you." The butler said as he bed his head a little not looking at Ariana in the eye.
Ariana had a frown. She wasn't expecting anyone. "Who?"
"Miss Madison."
The name was like a soft punch that hit her stomach. Madison. Her step sister. Madison became her step sister few years after her mother died. Her father got remarried because of her. She and Madison have been close, just until Rachel separated them.They haven't met since after the engagement party.
"Tell her to wait for me at the garden," Ariana said quietly. "I will be there shortly."
The garden have not changed.
Ariana walked slowly, trailing her fingers along the leaves which still have dew on it. She spotted Madison seating under the resting tree, wearing a big coat on a simple dress. Her glossy hair was pinned to one side. She hasn't changed much. Just a little older. And a little more courage in her eyes.
Madison stood up when she saw Ariana. For a moment, neither of them said Anything.
"Hey!" Madison greeted, her voice unsteady.
"Hey." Ariana replied.
They both sat down slowly, the distance between them was more emotional than physical. Ariana serve both of them tea.
Everywhere became silent except from the sound of the pouring tea.
"I didn't know if you will want to seen me," Natalie began, her fingers was holding the tea cup mor tightly. "I would not have blamed you if you had not seen me."
"I almost didn't." Ariana smiled faintly
Natalie looked down. "Maybe I deserved that."
The air between them was thick with the weight of the unspoken words. Ariana watched Natalie for a long time, looking for the girl she once know through her face.
"Why did you disappear?" Ariana finally asked. The question break through the silence.
Madison flinched. "Because I was a coward. Because I let other people come between us sisters. Because I was angry and jealous and stupid."
Ariana's brows lifted. "Jealous? Of what"
Even though they had talked after the wedding they haven't really sat down and talked about their estranged relationship.
"Of you." Madison said, her voice cracking. "You always had it together. You were brilliant, beautiful and dad loved you the most. I thought..... I thought I was just Your shadow. When your mother passed away and you still kept going like. Nothing has happened, I felt small. So when Rachel started hanging around, and telling me things, I was influence by her twisted mind."
Ariana fingers curled slightly. Of course it was Rachel. She always have a way of manipulating people.
"I knew you were hurting, but I didn't know how to stay and be your sister when you need me," Madison continue. "So I left and by the time I regretted it, it felt too late."
Ariana stared at her tea, watching the steam curl like ghostly memories. "You should have come back. Even if it was late."
Madison blinked hard, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I'm here now. I know that doesn't fix anything, but... I wanted you to know I still care. And I'm sorry."
There was a long pause.
Ariana took a slow breath. "I missed you. Even when I hated you. Even when I didn't understand. You were my sister. You were family."
"I still want to be, if you will et me."
Ariana looked up, her eyes glossy but fierce. "I don't know if I can trust you. Not yet. But... maybe we can start again. Slowly."
Madison nodded rapidly. "I would like that."
Ariana looked out at the garden, her heart a little lighter than it had been in days. A fragile truce had been formed. Not forgiveness, not entirely. But the beginning of something that had once been beautiful.
___
After their tea, they walked through the garden like they used to, side by side but still slightly apart.
"So," Madison said, after a long silence. "Did you plan the scandal? Rachel and Anthony. That was a deliciously brutal takedown."
Ariana chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It wasn't planned that way. Things just... lined up."
Madison gave her a side glance. "You always were the queen of graceful revenge."
"I had help. And maybe a little luck."
"And what about the marriage rumor? Is it true?"
Ariana's steps faltered.
Madison looked at her, eyes wide. "Oh my god, it is. Who?"
"It's complicated," Ariana muttered. "And it wasn't exactly my idea."
"Someone forced you into marriage?" Madison's voice sharpened. "Do I need to burn someone's house down?"
Ariana laughed despite herself. "No, it's... legal. Binding. And secret. So don't ask too many questions."
"Then I will just wait until you are ready. But Ariana... whatever this is, I hope you're okay."
Ariana looked at her, genuinely touched. "I think I will be. Eventually."
Madison squeezed her arm lightly. "If you ever need to run away and dye your hair blue, I'm in."
"You would dye yours green just to match."
"Obviously."
The laughter that followed was lighter, warmer. It didn't erase the pain, but it dulled its sharpest edges.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.