Chapter 646
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Caitlin studied the photo carefully. The woman in the old picture looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties. Her features were plain, not striking, but there was a warmth in the way she smiled that made her face pleasant to look at. The most distinctive mark was the small dark mole above her upper lip–something that could easily make her unforgettable.
As Caitlin stared at Quarta’s photograph, a sudden flash of recognition sparked in her mind. She had seen that face before–seen that very mole.
“Looks ordinary enough,” Sebastian commented, glancing at the picture. “Nothing you can read from her face.”
Caitlin’s eyes widened. “I remember now!”
“What is it?”
“I’ve seen this woman before. I know her…”
“You know her?”
“Yes. In one of my family’s old photo albums. There’s a group picture of my grandparents, my mother, and a woman with them. I remember it clearly–the woman in that photo had this exact same mole above her lip.”
“What was her name?” Sebastian asked sharply.
“Cecilia. Years ago, she even came to visit my mother. I only knew she was somehow connected to my grandmother’s family–an old family friend’s daughter, I think.”
Sebastian frowned deeply. “You’re sure you’re not mistaken? Aurelius said when he first met Quarta, she was destitute, practically a beggar. So why would she turn up in the States as a well–put–together woman calling on your mother? What was she like when you met her–shabby or normal? Do you even know what she did for a living?”
“She looked completely normal, kind even. Gentle personality. I don’t know what her occupation was, but that face–and that mole–I’m certain. I’ve seen her. Once we check the old photo album at DanCa Estate,
we’ll know for sure.”
“It’s late,” Sebastian said. “We’ll go tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
When they returned to Vanderbilt Manor, the four little ones were still wide awake, waiting in the living room. The moment Caitlin walked in, they rushed to her.
“Why aren’t you in bed yet?” she asked.
“I want to sleep with Mommy!” Patricia tugged her hand, pouting sweetly.
“Me too!” Howard demanded.
“Me three!” Arthur chimed in.
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“Childish,” Bruce muttered with the air of a tiny old man. But when Caitlin turned to him and asked if he wanted to sleep beside her, he immediately raised his hand. “Mommy, me too!”
“Alright then. All of you, upstairs with me.”
She led the way, the four kids trailing behind her in a noisy little line.
“Hey! What about me?” Sebastian called after them.
“Daddy, you can sleep on the couch!” Howard shouted back.
“Or outside the door!” Arthur added.
“Or on the floor!”
“Or in our playroom!”
The children were quick to assign him places, none of which included Mommy’s bed. Sebastian grumbled loudly about ungrateful kids stealing his wife.
The manor had a special tatami room, designed just for nights like this when all the children wanted to sleep with Caitlin. Knowing she’d soon be leaving for D Country, Caitlin decided to indulge them.
After baths, the children piled onto the wide tatami mat. The moment Caitlin lay down, they nestled against her, two on each side.
Sebastian emerged from the shower and stretched out beside them. “Any of you want to sleep in Daddy’s arms tonight?”
“No!” Howard scooted even closer to Mommy.
“Me neither. Daddy smells like stinky man,” Patricia announced with a giggle. “Mommy smells the best!”
“You little rascal. What do you know about man–smell and woman–smell?” Sebastian scooped her up. “Daddy just showered! Smell–see? Not stinky at all!” He tickled her until she squealed with laughter.
The six of them lay together, warm and snug. Caitlin began telling an adventure story, her clear voice captivating the little ones until their eyes grew heavy.
“Alright, darlings, time for sleep,” she whispered at last.
“Mommy,” Patricia murmured sleepily, “I hope when I wake up tomorrow morning, you’ll still be here.”
“I will. Now close your eyes.”
The children drifted off one by one. Caitlin leaned down and kissed each small face in turn, her heart aching. She hadn’t been there for them enough when they were little–her sons wandering with her, her daughter raised away from her. Even now, she was always coming and going.
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“I hate leaving them again so soon,” she whispered. “If only I could turn them into tiny beads and keep them on a chain over my heart.”
“Maybe this trip to D Country won’t take long,” Sebastian reassured her.
“I hope I make it back in time for Bruce’s martial arts competition.”
“You will.”
The house grew quiet as everyone fell asleep. Only Caitlin lay awake, mind racing. If Quarta was Cecilia–the same Cecilia her family had once known–then why had she created Scentbane? Why target Harrison? Was it also about the codex? Where was she hiding now?
The next morning, Patricia stirred first. Opening her eyes, she saw both parents still there and smiled wide. She leaned over and planted a kiss on Caitlin’s cheek.
Caitlin’s eyes opened at the touch. She smiled and ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Morning, sweetheart.”
“Good morning, Mommy.”
The boys woke one after another. Caitlin threw off the blanket. “Come on! Let’s race–whoever gets dressed and washes up first wins!”
“I’ll win!”
“No, me!”
“First place is mine!”
They bolted out of the room, laughter echoing down the hall. Watching them, Caitlin’s chest filled with warmth. This was happiness–these ordinary mornings with love overflowing.
Sebastian slipped behind her and pulled her into his arms. “Come here.” He held her close until she swatted him playfully.
“Enough of that. We’ve got a busy day ahead.”
She dragged him up with her. This morning, they would return to DanCa Estate and search the photo albums.
She had to know–was Cecilia truly Quarta?