anwhile inside a private room in Yellow Orchids —
Arwen sat across the table with a soft glow of smile accentuating her facial feature. In her hand, she held the nu book of the restaurant, making an order.
While Beca was watching her with a gaze full of quiet adoration.
"That would be all for now," Arwen said once she closed the nu and handed it back to the server. "If we need anything more, we will add later."
The server smiled and nodded to her. "Thank you, ma'am. We will bring serve the dishes soon." Ands saying that, she bowed slightly before retreating from the room, sliding the door close after her.
Once they were alone, Arwen turned to look back at Beca, halting at her gaze that had been at her for quite a while now.
"Is there sothing on my face, Aunt Beca?" she asked, already reaching up to check her face.
Beca laughed and shook her head imdiately. "There is nothing on your face," she said. "Sorry I made you feel uncomfortable. I was just watching you. You don't look the sa, anymore."
Arwen blinked. "Huh? Did I age? I an I have heard soone say that won tend to age after getting married while the n seem to look younger. Did I start looking old as well?"
Her words like that were ant to make Beca laugh and the next second, it did.
Beca chuckled. "See, I told you have grown different, more cheerful. Not old but matured enough to stand and fight back." She then paused and looked at the girl she has seen growing every year. "Arwen, I saw how you dealt with the girl outside. The previous you would have hesitated thinking about Catrin's reaction. But this …"
Her hand moved to refer Arwen head to toe, while her gaze her the familiar adoration it always held for her. "...this new you, didn't. And I liked it." She smiled and continued further, "I have read all the news recently. While seeing you made proud, Catrin's action simply disappointed . I have treated you as my daughter but seeing you treat not one, made feel heartbroken. You have suffered, child. And even knowing it for all these years, I couldn't do anything for you."
The regret was not just clear in her tone but also in her gaze. Arwen saw the hints of tears the corner of her eyes.
She reached out to place her hand over hers and shook her head. "Aunt Beca, you owed nothing," she said, a soft smile reassuring her. "You were my godmother and you always did everything you could to fill the void that my mother created in my life. But not every void is ant to be filled. Few are just ant to remain like that forever. And I have moved on from it."
Retracting her hand, she said in tone more of confidence. "It no longer affects . It did once, but no now anymore."
Beca watched the girl who was clearly trying to act strong. But being a mother, she knew better. A kid can never move on from their mother. No matter how old they get, they always need the warmth of the mother in their life —if not physically then in the corners of the mories.
But for Arwen, Catrin had never been in either.
"I still don't think Catrin would let anyone take your place in the family." She was referring about Emily. Although Catrin has disappointed her enough, she knew her fried to know how particular she was of her things. Arwen was the daughter she had birthed —her own, there is no way, she would be let the things that belong to Arwen fall in anyone else's hand.
"It doesn't matter," Arwen shrugged. Truly. "I have severed all my relationships, so I don't mind who take what in Quinn family. I am at peace right now and I want to stay in the sa even in future."
Beca watched her for another mont, before nodding to her. She didn't want to scrape her wounds, so she thought to not ntion it anymore.
At this mont, a knock at the door interrupted them and when Arwen turned, she saw the server appeared with the trolley of dishes.
Walking forward, they served it all on the table before glancing at the two ladies. "Bon Appetit, ma'am!" she said, bowing a little before turning and leaving the room again.
"Aunt Beca, I ordered the dishes I rembered you like the last ti. But let know if there is anything else you want to have. After all, you never let treat you outside," Arwen said before serving her the dishes.
Beca frowned and quickly explained. "Arwen, did you take my intention wrong?" she asked, clearly looking bothered. "I would have loved to invite you ho. It just that after what Ryan did the last ti you visited, I felt you would be uncomfortable. So, I didn't dare ask. But —"
"No, Aunt Beca. I didn't an that," Arwen quickly shook her head. "I know you didn't encourage Ryan. He was responsible for his own action and I don't bla you. I truly ant to treat you outside. So, I ntioned."
Beca relaxed. "I am at ease. Otherwise, I had been blaming myself."
They had their lunch, with a few talks here and there. While Arwen enjoyed those little talks, she was waiting —waiting for Beca to speak.
She knew there was sothing that Beca was trying to talk to her about, but she hadn't yet let it out.
"Aunt Beca," she finally thought to ask it herself. She glanced up and stared at the lady in her eyes. "Last ti when you called , I felt there was sothing you want to talk to about but was hesitating about it."
Beca's expression shifted a little, and Arwen knew she had guessed it right.
There was sothing.
"What is it, Aunt Beca?" she asked, keeping her fork and spoon down.
Beca looked at her. Although she was hesitant, there was sothing that she wanted to confirm about. "It's about your diary," she said, and Arwen's brows drew together, in confusion.
"My diary?" she repeated, only to see Beca nod back to her.
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