Chapter 53

Nolan Reed stood frozen as Aria Bennett's words struck him like lightning.

The memory of Serena Blake's calculated lunge flashed through his mind—the thick coat, the perfectly angled fall. Every detail now seemed painfully staged.

"So..." His voice trembled. "That life-saving moment was all a lie?"

Aria didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window.

When the car stopped in front of the Reed family villa, Nolan remained dazed. Only when Aria pushed the door open did he snap back to reality.

"Let me walk you in," he blurted.

"No need." She stepped out without looking back.

Rebecca Reed had been waiting in the living room. The moment she spotted Aria, her face lit up.

"Aria!" She rushed forward, pulling her into a quick spin. "You've lost weight! Has that idiot not been taking care of you?"

Aria's eyes stung. "Aunt Rebecca, I missed you."

Arm in arm, they headed toward the kitchen, leaving Nolan standing forgotten in the hallway.

"I made your favorite black sesame filling," Rebecca whispered conspiratorially. "And added that osmanthus honey you loved as a child."

Aria's throat tightened. After all these years, Rebecca still remembered every little thing she adored.

"Aunt Rebecca," she said suddenly, "Nolan and I broke up."

The dough in Rebecca's hands dropped onto the counter with a soft thud.

"When?" Her voice sharpened. "Did he hurt you?"

Aria recounted the anniversary incident calmly. When she mentioned the trending scandal, Rebecca trembled with rage.

"That ungrateful brat!" She slammed her palm on the counter. "I'll break his legs right now!"

"Aunt Rebecca." Aria caught her arm. "My decision is final."

Rebecca studied Aria's face for a long moment before her eyes welled up.

"That boy doesn’t deserve you," she choked out, pulling Aria into a fierce hug. "From now on, you're my daughter."

Aria buried her face in Rebecca's shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of gardenias—like stepping back into childhood.

"Oh!" Rebecca suddenly brightened. "Your mother called saying she's coming to visit?"

Aria nodded. "She and Theo have already moved in with me."

"Perfect!" Rebecca wiped her tears, beaming. "I'll take her shopping tomorrow. She must've been lonely raising Theo alone all these years."

Outside the kitchen, Nolan leaned against the wall, the water in his glass long gone cold. The laughter inside pressed down on his chest like a boulder.

So this was what it felt like to lose someone.