Chapter 61
Chapter 61
VENUS
The next day, we drove toward the wealthier end of New York City-the kind of neighborhood that whispered old money and high gates. It was a private community, the kind where names mattered more than numbers, and silence was stitched into the lawns.
When we finally pulled up to the house, I had to blink twice. It was massive. A sprawling driveway curled like a ribbon across the estate, leading to a fountain and a collection of luxury cars that looked like they’d never seen a red light.
“You grew up here?” I asked, wide-eyed.
“Most of the time, yeah p>
“It’s beautiful p>
“My mom keeps it alive p>
We reached the front doors-towering, regal, and carved with patterns that probably had a story behind them. Even from the outside, the house pulsed with elegance. I hadn’t stepped inside, and yet it already felt like a museum wrapped in warmth.
A maid answered the door, but she didn’t even get a full greeting out before-
“Ronny p>
A little girl came flying through the glass doors, arms flung wide, and threw herself straight into Aaron’s arms.
He caught her easily, lifting her up with a soft laugh-a laugh I’d never heard before. And it did something to me. Cracked something open in my chest that had been quietly locked.
“Alanna, don’t run!” Rose called from behind, voice gentle but warning. “You’ll hurt yourself p>
“Alanna,” Aaron said, his voice soft, her name sliding off his tongue like a lullaby. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, as if he were home.
“You’ve gotten bigger,” he said, beaming at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
“I eat my vegetables-just like you told me to!” she replied proudly, lifting her chin with the kind of confidence only truth
gave.
I couldn’t help smiling. Seeing Aaron like this-with her-he was… different. Not the hard, cold man I’d met. There was no
steel. No edges. Just a boy holding onto innocence with both hands.
Then Alanna peeked around his shoulder, eyes wide as she took me in.
“Who’s she?” she asked, voice curious and suspicious in equal measure.
“Alanna, this is Venus. My wife p>
Her eyes widened. “Venus? Like in my cartoons?” She said my name perfectly.
I crouched slightly, smiling. “Just like in your cartoons. It’s very nice to meet you, Alanna p>
She made a soft sound and buried her face in Aaron’s neck.
“Oh? What’s wrong?” he chuckled, bouncing her a little. She whispered something in his ear, too soft for me to hear.
He smiled. Mischievous. “She is p>
“Let me in on the secret?” I tilted my head.
“Noooooo!” she squealed, hiding again.
Aaron grinned. “She said you’re pretty p>
“Aaron!” she whined, clearly betrayed.
My heart melted. “Thank you, Alanna. I think you’re beautiful too p>
“Really?” she asked, peeking at me again with a hopeful spark.
“Of course. And smart-I can tell p>
But then her face shifted, her smile faltering. “Dahlia says I’m weird p>
Something sharp passed through Aaron’s gaze Successfully unlocked!
ful.
“Dahlia doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” I said, crouchy so we were eye-level. “You’re beautiful, and you’re brilliant. Dahlia just doesn’t understand magic when she sees it p>
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Chapter 61
“And I told you,” Aaron added, voice firmer now. “Don’t listen to her. Are the other kids bothering you again?” Alanna didn’t reply. She simply nodded, turned, and darted back inside.
I watched her go, heart tugging.
“She’s sensitive,” Rose said behind us, her voice low. “And children her age can be… cruel p>
She moved forward and pulled me into a soft hug. “Welcome p>
“You have a beautiful home p>
“I try my best when I’m not out touring,” she said with a small smile.
“I brought wine p>
“You didn’t have to, but thank you,” she replied, taking it graciously.
“Mom.” Aaron kissed her cheeks, one then the other.
“Come on, let’s go inside p>
“Anything I can help with?” I asked, slipping out of my shoes near the entrance as she led me deeper inside.
“No need. The cook has everything handled p>
Of course she does.
I nodded politely.
“Aaron, why don’t you show Venus around while I finish a few things p>
He gave a light nod.
“And after lunch, I’ll be pulling out his old embroidery and baby pictures p>
“Mom,” Aaron groaned under his breath.
Rose cleared her throat and smoothed her dress with deliberate grace. “Oh, I invited a few more people to join us for lunch. I hope you don’t mind p>
Aaron’s gaze narrowed. “What people p>
She gave an innocent shrug. “Connor and Sabine p>
“That’s nice,” I said calmly.
What are the chances?
I get to see how both of them act around each other in front of Aaron.
Oh and Sabine is definitely spilling the tea when I’m able to get her alone.
“They were always part of our little family,” she said airily, brushing an invisible speck from her sleeve. “It only felt right p>
Aaron gave a single nod, unreadable.
So. Rose had accepted Sabine.
Of course she had. With the history Aaron and Sabine shared, it wasn’t hard to imagine the bond.
“Run along now,” Rose said with a wave of her hand. “I have things to tend to p>
“Not in the kitchen, I hope,” Aaron added, a teasing lilt in his voice.
They shared a look.
“No, no. Of course not,” Rose said quickly.
Okay… what was that about?
Aaron said nothing as he led me away, but I didn’t miss the tightness in his jaw.
The house may have looked perfect-but there were stories beneath its walls. And I had the feeling lunch was going to bring a few of them to the surface.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.