Aria finally agreed to follow her father home.
Still, the small seed of resentment she carried toward him hadn't disappeared. She knew he was only helping her, she was only nineteen, turning twenty in a few weeks
The day after the funeral, her father came to pick her up from the apartment she shared with her mother. Aria packed only a few clothes and some personal belongings. She had no intention of packing out of this place yet. It was the last thing her mother left behind, and she wasn't ready to let it go.
Aria sat stiffly at the backseat, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
What if his family don't accept her?
Richard noticed her tension.
"You don't need to be nervous," he said gently, glancing at her. "Your stepmother was actually the one who suggested you come live with us. She likes you… and your siblings are excited to meet you."
Her heart eased a little
Maybe... just maybe this place could help her heal.
Since the incident with her mother, sleep had become impossible for her. Every night, the same nightmare replayed in her head. Sometimes she woke up drenched in sweat, her heart pounding as if it would burst.
She needed a new environment. A place where she could create new memories, if that was even possible.
When the car finally pulled into her father's residence, Aria froze.
The villa was breathtaking.
A wide, neatly kept compound stretched before her, vibrant flowers blooming everywhere. She could see few maids moving around quietly
As she stepped out of the car, the driver retrieved her luggage from the trunk.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
"Let's go inside," Richard said with a small smile.
At the entrance, two neat rows of maids stood on either side of the door. They bowed in unison.
"Welcome, young miss."
They were already informed of their boss first daughter coming today.
Flustered, Aria bowed back instinctively. A few of the maids smiled, clearly amused by her awkward politeness.
As the door was opened by one of the maids, Aria was met with two gorgeous women and a little cute boy. They had been waiting for her.
"Aria!"
The older woman stepped forward and pulled her into a warm hug before she could react.
"This is your stepmother, Vanessa," Richard said.
Aria smiled shyly when Vanessa released her.
"Oh, you poor child," Vanessa said softly. "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry. You don't need to worry about anything here, this is your home now"
A girl around Aria's age waved
enthusiastically.
"Hi!" she grinned. "I'm Tiffany."
"Can I hug you?" Tiffany asked sweetly—then hugged her before Aria could even answer.
"Dad, she's so pretty," Tiffany added happily.
Richard chuckled.
For the first time in days, Aria felt her chest loosen.
This family didn't make her feel unwelcome. If anything, they felt… warm.
Her gaze dropped to the little cute boy standing quietly in front of her, his lips pouting as he stared up at her.
She smiled and waved. "Hi."
He didn't respond.
He only continued staring at her with curious, unreadable eyes.