"Alia," Aiden greeted at the door, a bright smile on his face. He was charming as ever, dressed in a black leather jacket, his hair ssy yet falling in all the right places. "I thought you wouldn’t be able to co."
Alia tried her best to smile, but it was difficult when all she wanted to do was to scream her voice hoarse. Instead, she nodded once, taking in a deep breath. She made sure to subtly adjust the ring on her finger that Matteo had given her last ti at the hospital― this diamond was her best weapon on this god-forsaken trip.
Matteo and Alia were supposed to join the Montgorys for dinner shortly after the dinner party with the Hawthornes. However, with this joint family trip coming up, Matteo managed to help weasel their way out of it.
Yet, what was preordained could never be avoided. They still crossed paths at the airport.
The Montgorys and the Hawthornes owned their own private jets. Instead of flying comrcially like normal people would, they decided to fly separately on their private aircraft.
While Alia was glad that it ant she wouldn’t have to spend eight long hours trapped in a flying tal vessel of death with Emline and her mother, Annalise, she still loathed the thought of eting the rest of Matteo’s family.
As Ronan had warned her, they were worse than a thousand Annalises combined.
"Have you ever been to Lesterat?" Aiden casually asked, hopping a little closer to Alia, which only caused her to move back. "It’s a rather beautiful place filled with freshly fallen snow. They hardly have any warm weather― it’s practically winter all year round!"
"Oh, be a little more sensitive, Aiden," Catherine said from behind, walking over to stand with her son. She affectionately placed a hand on Aiden’s shoulder, her other resting on the handle of her luxury suitcase. "Alia grew up with no money. How could she afford to step out of the city, much less to Lesterat of all other countries?"
Even though every word appeared to be reprimanding Aiden for his insensitivity, Catherine made sure to broadcast her words as loud as she could. There weren’t many people present since this was a private lounge, but Alia couldn’t miss the hot glares that landed on the back of her neck, searing through her skin when they heard her words.
"That is perfectly fine," Matteo suddenly said, appearing behind Alia.
He had their bags in tow, and casually, slipped an arm around Alia’s waist, holding her close. Catherine and Aiden’s eyes narrowed in on the small movent, and Catherine’s eyes even twitched slightly.
"It just ans that I can be Alia’s first for every new country we explore together," Matteo proudly said. Lovingly, he glanced down at Alia, eting her eyes and causing her heart to skip a beat in her chest.
"That doesn’t an you’re her first, nevertheless," Catherine grumbled under her breath, rolling her eyes. "Don’t forget, Matteo. She is a used woman―"
"Mom." This ti, it was Aiden who spoke up. He looked back disapprovingly at Catherine, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Did I lie?" Catherine asked, removing her hand from her son’s shoulder to place on her chest, seemingly offended. "It’s common knowledge even outside of our circle that Matteo’s new fiancée is a divorcee."
"At least they are properly divorced," Matteo casually comnted. "You married my father while my mother was still missing. They weren’t divorced at that ti, nor was he a widow."
On the outside, he was the very picture of calm. However, his hand on Alia’s waist had tightened, squeezing her gently. His other hand had white knuckles with how hard he gripped the luggage handles, so much so that Alia was worried it might snap into two.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Matteo, horrified. Ever since the first ti she overheard his conversation with Catherine, Matteo had remained secretive about his family. She had her guesses, but she didn’t think Matteo would admit to anything so openly, and most certainly not like this in public.
"I am your mother―" Catherine started to say, but was cut off by Matteo swiftly.
"Stepmother," Matteo corrected. "And we can spend this vacation civilly if you stop making things difficult for my fiancée. Otherwise, I am fairly content with turning back right now and heading ho."
Catherine clenched her jaw and ground her teeth. She glared hotly at Alia, and if looks could kill, Alia knew that she would be cremated to ashes at this point.
The clicking of high heels caused everyone to turn their heads at the sound. There was a wave of sickly sweet vanilla perfu, followed by a squeal of delight.
At first, Alia and Matteo stepped back, shocked by the sudden intrusion, but when the blonde head finally raised its face, Alia’s face paled, while Matteo made a face akin to having swallowed a pile of manure.
"Godmother!" Emline squealed, nuzzling her head into Catherine’s neck. "It’s been so long! I am so happy to see you."
It took a second for Catherine to recover from her surprise, but as soon as she realized who was in her arms, she patted her back like a doting mother would.
"Emline," Catherine cooed, smoothening her hair a few tis before gently peeling her away to look at her face.
She smiled softly, and when looking at Emline, there was none of the vindictive, haughty airs she put up in Alia’s presence. Instead, she leaned down and kissed Emline’s cheeks.
"We were all waiting for you," Catherine gently chided. "What took you so long?"
"I just heard from Mama that you and Godfather have invited to fly with your family," Emline said. "I didn’t realize I would still be invited after..."
"Nonsense," Catherine said. "Of course you will. You’re the daughter-in-law I’ve always wanted. This is your family― you’re welco to fly with us whenever you wish."
Emline smiled shyly. "Then I’m so sorry for coming late. There were so things I had to handle at the orphanage― you know how difficult it can be handling so many charities at once. I rushed here as soon as I could!"
"Hope for Scholars?" Catherine asked. "Darling, you are too kind. Those children... your mother and I have already warned you. Those children will amount to nothing! You are just wasting your ti."
"Everyone deserves a chance to turn over a new leaf," Emline said, batting her eyes innocently at Catherine. "I just want the best for those children."
Then, she turned and smiled at Matteo, jumping a little as though she was surprised.
"Alia, Matteo," she said, her gaze lingering on Matteo for a second longer than what was normal. "I didn’t realize that you two have been standing here!"
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