Georgia’s POV
As soon as we pulled up to my house, I spotted Katie and Wendy waiting on the porch. The second the car stopped, Katie bolted toward like an excited puppy.
"I missed you so much, Aunt Georgia!" she squealed, throwing her arms around .
I hugged her back, guilt instantly tugging at . "I missed you too, baby. I’m so sorry for leaving you for two whole days." I pulled back just enough to look into her big hopeful eyes. "How about you co with to work tomorrow? You don’t have school, right?"
Her eyes lit up, and she practically bounced. "Really? Yes! I’d love to co!"
"Here’s sothing for the young lady," Nick chid in, stepping forward with a dolphin plushie in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other. Katie giggled as she accepted them.
"Thank you, Uncle Nick! But... why flowers, too?" she asked, her smile wide.
Nick crouched down a little, grinning. "Because beautiful young ladies always deserve flowers." Then he turned to Wendy, handing her the bag of food and fresh greens Prudence had sent with us. "These are from my mom. Please take them inside. She also sent you so freshly dried tea flowers."
Then, Nick straightened and turned to . "I’ll head ho now."
My voice ca out higher than I intended. "Head ho?"
Nick chuckled at my reaction, clearly amused. "Why? What do you suggest?"
I quickly nudged Katie and Wendy to go inside before facing him again, lowering my voice. "But... aren’t we married? Shouldn’t you stay here?"
His laugh was low and teasing. "Possessive already?"
I swatted his arm playfully, but he caught in his arms right after, pulling against his chest.
"Yes, we’re married on paper," he said softly, his gaze locking with mine, "but I still want to marry you properly. Tonight, rest and spend ti with Katie. Tomorrow, I’ll et you at your office, and we’ll have lunch together with her. Deal?"
I sighed, knowing he was right. My niece deserved my full attention tonight. So instead, I smiled and nodded. "Alright. Text when you get ho."
I leaned up to kiss him goodbye, my heart fluttering as I watched him walk away. It would still be better if he stayed here tonight. I feel safe whenever Nick is around.
He signaled to go in, so I did and watched him leave through the window.
Once Nick was gone, I turned my full attention back to Katie, who was busy helping Wendy arrange her flowers in a vase.
"Georgia," Wendy called over her shoulder, "your car key’s on the console table. The driver said the tank’s already full. There’s also so mail for you—looks like docunts. I left them there, too."
"Thanks! I’ll check them later," I replied, then leaned on the island counter beside Katie. "Hey, want to sleep in my room tonight?"
Katie’s eyes lit up instantly—sparkling with excitent even before she gave her answer. "Yes! Can we watch a movie too?"
I grinned at her enthusiasm. "Of course we can. And since you don’t have school tomorrow, we can even watch two movies if you want!"
Before Katie could squeal again, Wendy cut in with a little frown. "That’s too long, Georgia. If she stays up too late, she’ll be grumpy or half-asleep all day tomorrow."
I leaned closer and whispered, teasing, "I know, but don’t worry. She won’t even finish the first one. Look at her eyes—she’s already yawning." I raised a brow, knowing I’d caught her at it twice since I walked in.
Wendy glanced at Katie, who was blinking slowly, fighting to keep her excitent awake. She smirked and shook her head. "You’re right. Fine, go ahead. I’ll close up here."
Katie slipped her small hand into mine, beaming like it was the best night ever.
Katie clung to my hand as we started upstairs. On the way, I paused by the console table where Wendy had left the mail. The weight of it felt heavier than just paper when I picked it up.
"Co on, Aunt Georgia!" Katie tugged at , her dolphin plush already tucked under her arm. "Let’s start the movie!"
I laughed softly, tucking the envelope under my arm. "Alright, alright. Lead the way, princess."
By the ti we got to my room, Katie had already jumped onto the bed, arranging the pillows like she owned the place. I slipped the envelope onto my bedside table for later, turned on the TV, and slid under the covers with her.
We picked a lighthearted animated movie, one of her favorites. She curled into my side, her head resting on my arm, while her dolphin plushie was safely nestled between us. But as the movie went on, her occasional laughter grew quieter. Soon, her small breaths evened out against .
I glanced down and found her fast asleep, lashes resting on her cheeks, lips parted slightly. My chest tightened at the sight—she looked so peaceful, so safe. Carefully, I shifted, pulling the blanket over her and tucking her against the pillows. She didn’t stir, just snuggled deeper into the plush toy.
With the room now quiet except for the movie’s background noise, I reached for the envelope on my nightstand. I tore it open gently, pulling out the stack of docunts inside.
My eyes scanned the first page... and I froze.
The words staring back at didn’t make sense at first. Then, as the aning sank in, my stomach flipped.
I quickly took my laptop and started opening the accounts we had in the company. I try to look for a match with whatever it says on the docunt, and I found them.
Then, my phone rang. The sound startled . It was Nick. I quickly answered it.
[I’m ho, Babe. I won’t stay long, I need to get up early tomorrow,] Nick said.
"Babe, listen to , don’t hang up. I’ll send you so pictures," I started taking pictures of the docunts without even waiting for his reply.
This wasn’t just random paperwork. What the heck is going on?!
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