Chapter 113
Chapter 113
“She’s here. In the country.” Helen stood by my door entrance, wrapped in Robert’s arms and holding a mug cup.
I blinked, “Who?”
She walked in, and set her mug down very carefully. “Grandmama Morale.”
Asher, who is sitting on my couch, choked on his toast. “What? Already?”
“I told her to give us a notice before coming,” Helen muttered. “But apparently, she does what she wants.”
“My mother has always been that way.” Robert stared.
The doorbell rang once.
Asher grinned. “Oh, this is going to be good.”
“I don’t like that smile,” I said, pushing my chair back slowly.
Helen straightened her cardigan. “Aria, you don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“I know,” I said. And I meant it.
Robert went to open the door.
Grandmama Morale walked in like she owned the walls.
She was smaller than I had imagined her to be, wrapped in deep indigo fabric, her silver hair braided neatly down her back Her eyes–sharp, observant, unsettlingly warm–landed on me immediately.
‘Come here,” she said.
Not a request.
I stood.
She crossed the room in three measured steps, cupped my face in her hands, and inspected me like a priceless artifact
‘You look thin,” she said. “But alive.
‘I was aiming for that,” I replied.
A smile tugged at her lips. “Hmmm sharp, i like that.”
She pulled me into a hug. Not gentle but not crushing either.
I breathed her in–clove, rosewater, ginger something earthy.
“I told you,” she murmured into my hair, “you are hard to lose.”
Helen cleared her throat. “Tea?”
“Yes,” Grandmama said. “Strong.”
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Chapter 113
She released me and finally acknowledged the room.
“Asher,” she said. “Still loud.”
You too,” he replied politely.
“Baby girl,” Grandmama continued, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve grown and needs to start doing adult things”
Maya smiled sweetly. “Unfortunately.”
Grandmama hummed. “Honesty. Good.”
She sat
The visit wasn’t dramatic. No speeches. No interrogations.
Just… presence.
She watched me like she was relearning my shape. Asked what I ate. What I dreamt. Whether I still hated mornings.
“I tolerate them now,” I said.
“Lies,” she replied.
By evening, she was still there.
Helen frowned. “You’re staying?”
“Yes.”
‘I can arrange-”
I am staying,” Grandmama repeated calmly.
So she stayed.
She took the guest room but ended up in my doorway instead.
‘You sleep early now,” she observed.
“I almost died,” I reminded her.
“Still dramatic,” she said. “May I?”
I nodded.
She sat on the edge of my bed, picked up the watch from my nightstand.
“You like it?”
“I do.”
“Good. I chose that picture.”
I looked up. “You did?”
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“You were laughing at your brother. You didn’t see me?
“I rarely do.”
She smiled faintly. “That’s when you are most yourself”
We sat in silence for a moment.
Then she said, “Someone has been keeping records”
My spine stiffened.
“You saw the folder.”
“I felt it,” she corrected. “Before you even touched it.”
I swallowed. “Do you know what it is?”
“Yes,”
My heart thudded. “Are you going to tell me?”
“No.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“Because,” she said calmly, “you are not ready. But you are close.”
“That’s not comforting.”
“It’s not meant to be.”
She stood. “Sleep.”
“Grandmama?”
She paused.
“Don’t disappear again.”
Her gaze softened. “I won’t.”
The next morning, she was already dressed when I woke
“You’re leaving?” I asked, panicked.
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
She studied my face. “You’re coming with me.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Not now,” she said. “Soon.”
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Helen appeared behind me instantly. “Excuse mer
Grandmama turned. “She needs air. And truth”
“She needs rest,” Helen snapped.
“She needs choice,” Grandmama countered.
I raised a hand. “I’m right here.”
They stopped.
Grandmama looked at me. “I am staying at the old house. Two streets from the river. I want you there. When you’re ready
“How long?” I asked.
‘As long as it takes.”
Helen exhaled slowly. “Aria-”
‘I’ll think about it,” I said.
Grandmama nodded once. “Good.”
She kissed my forehead. Firm. Certain.
Then she left.
The house felt quieter after.
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
By morning, my decision was already made.
packed a small bag.
Helen watched me from the doorway. “You’re really going.”
It’s just for a la while.”
She nodded. “Call every day.”
‘I will.”
Asher leaned against the frame. “If she kidnaps you, I’m suing.”
“Noted.”
He hugged me tight. “Bring back secrets”
“I always do.”
Nolan met my eyes. “Be careful.”
“I am,” I said. “Finally.”
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Chapter 113
Grandmama’s car was waiting.
She didn’t ask if I was sure.
She just opened the door.
And I got in.
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“There you are,” I look up to see grandmama,
I could not move.
She opened her arms slightly. “Come. Let me see you.”
The driver nudged my back gently. “Go on.”
I crossed the room, suddenly unsure of my feet.
She stood when I reached her–slow, deliberate–and cupped my face with both hands. Her palms were warm.
‘Still thin,” she murmured. “But your eyes are brighter.”
‘You look the same,” I said quietly.
A smile curved her lips. “Liar. I look wiser.”
I laughed before I could stop myself.
‘There’s my girl,” she said, pulling me into a. Firm grounding hug. The kind of hug that didn’t ask permission.
She leaned back, studying me again. “They let you out too soon.”
‘I was cleared,” I said.
‘Hospitals clear people all the time,” she replied. “Doesn’t mean they are finished healing.”
A maid cleared her throat. “Tea?”
“Yes,” Grandmama said. “Strong. No sugar.”
‘Of course.”
Grandmama sat again and patted the seat beside her. I obeyed.
“So,” she said, adjusting the cuff of her sleeve. “You scared us.”
“I’m sorry.”
She looked at me sharply. “Don’t apologize for surviving.”
I swallowed.
“Now,” she continued, “tell me what they are not telling me.”
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I hesitated.
Σ
a maid hovered nearby, pretending to straighten a cushion.
Grandmama glanced at her. “hey”
“Yes?”
“Leave us.”
Helen blinked. “Mother-
“Please.”
A beat. Then the maid nodded and retreated toward the kitchen, shooting me a look that said behave
The moment she was gone, Grandmama leaned closer.
‘Did you lose time?” she asked.
Yes.”
‘Do you remember everything?”
No.”
She nodded once. “Good. Then listen carefully.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
