Chapter Four

"Mom."

I lowered my head. Aria was standing in front of me.

"Daphne Mommy told me to come get you. It's time to cut the cake."

There wasn't the slightest trace of affection in her voice. She sounded as though she were simply repeating someone else's instructions.

I crouched down, wanting to straighten her collar.

But she immediately stepped backward.

"Don't touch me."

My hand froze in midair.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Daphne Mommy said you shouldn't keep following her and Daddy around today. Everyone is celebrating. Don't ruin their mood."

At just six years old, Aria didn't understand what deliberate manipulation meant, but she had already learned to mistake someone else's words for her own thoughts.

I tried to keep my voice gentle.

"Mommy just wants to talk to you for a little while."

"I don't want to."

She frowned, as though she had been holding back this resentment for a long time.

"Every time you show up, Daphne Mommy gets upset. She's so nice to me. Why do you always have to make her sad?"

My throat tightened.

"Aria, I'm your mother."

"But I like Daphne Mommy more!"

With that, she turned and ran away.

"Daphne Mommy!"

Whispers quickly spread among the guests.

"Even her own daughter doesn't want to be near her. It seems Daphne really is much better at taking care of Aria."

My mother walked over, her face full of disapproval.

"Your daughter has already made her choice, Vivian. Shouldn't you reflect on why she's closer to Daphne than she is to you?"

My father let out a soft sigh.

"Stop making things uncomfortable for everyone. Today is supposed to be a day worth celebrating."

I tightened my grip on my wineglass until my fingertips turned white.

But the only thing that truly broke my heart was hearing my own daughter say that she preferred someone else.

My mother came to stand beside me and followed my gaze.

"Look how well Daphne takes care of the child. You should learn to control your temper."

My father stood beside her, his tone equally reproachful.

"Children are the most honest. Whoever she wants to be close to is obviously the mother who treats her better."

I didn't answer.

I no longer knew what else I could say to defend myself.

After the engagement party ended, I left without saying goodbye to anyone and returned to the estate alone.

Emily was waiting for me in the study.

I took a black flash drive out of the drawer and handed it to her.

"This contains digital copies of everything in the metal storage box. Keep the originals safe, but tomorrow morning at eight, give this drive to Garrick."

Emily looked down at the flash drive.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's time he knew the truth."

I took out two more letters.

"One is for my parents. The other is for Aria. Give her the letter when she becomes an adult."

Tears slid down Emily's cheeks.

"You could tell her all of this yourself."

"She wouldn't listen to me now."

I opened the safe and took out a small jewelry box.

Inside was an ivory-white heirloom necklace, with our family crest engraved on the back.

"My mother gave this to me when I came of age. She wanted me to keep it with me for the rest of my life."

I gently closed the jewelry box and placed it in Emily's hands.

"When Aria grows up, give it to her. Tell her this was a gift her mother had always wanted to give her."

Emily clutched the jewelry box tightly, unable to speak.

Once everything had been arranged, I leaned back in my chair. By then, even lifting a finger had become an exhausting task.

Outside the window, fireworks from the engagement celebration were still blooming across the night sky.

Silver light repeatedly illuminated the darkness.

But all I could hear was my heartbeat growing weaker and weaker.

"Just hold on a little longer."

I whispered to myself.

"Once tomorrow morning comes, everything will be over."

I closed my eyes.

"Goodnight, Garrick. Goodnight, Aria. And goodnight to everyone I once loved so deeply."

At six the next morning, my heart stopped beating for the final time.

Emily sat beside my bed, holding my cold hand and refusing to let go.

It wasn't until eight o'clock that she finally picked up her phone and called Garrick.

"Mr. Voss, Ms. Vivian has passed away."

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

"What did you say?"

Garrick's voice changed abruptly.

"That's impossible. She attended the engagement party just last night."