Chapter 58

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With cone in his expression , pain in his eyes , and a gentle tons by his voice , Caleb looked at her deeply
It wasn’t just her he was seeing –it was someone else through her .
At that moment , Aria understood . She asked . “ You went to Jamelan , didn’t you ?
“ yeah ” Caleb dipped his gen , not wanting to appear too vulnerable in front of his sister .
Ana turned slightly to the side . “ Come in , sit for a hit !
“ Okay ” Caleb gave a small nod .
Once they were on the couch , Aria poured him a glask of water . “ Why’d you want to look into my past , Caleb ? ”
Caleb’s hand paused mid – air as he reached for the glass .
Caleb tried to act calm , but the faint ripple on the water’s surface gave away the turmoil inside . “ I just … wanted to know what your life was like back then . ”
“ Then why not ask me ? ” Aria thought ,
Aria remembered bumping into Everett the other day and suddenly everything clicked . She laid it out plainly . “ You probably found out I’ve always known I’m not Dominic and Alice’s biological daughter , ”
Caleb nodded
Aria continued , “ They were definitely sexist , but they didn’t hate me from the start . I was born with something off – emotionally . I could sense the world around me , but I didn’t want to react to it , I was cold at everything
“ At first , they thought i was mute . Then one day they heard me call the old lady next door ‘ Grandma . That’s when they started to resent me , calling me an ungrateful brat . ”
Because of blood ties , Dominic and Alice didn’t abuse her – at least not to the point of denying her food .
In reality , Aria never cared about whatever scraps of affection they threw her way , and she didn’t feel sad about it either .
Aria had always known she was different . But she had no desire to change . Instead , she chose to outsmart that couple every chance she got .
If Dominic and Alice hit her , Aria would wait until they were asleep and pour hot water on them . They nagged her while she cooked ? She’d flip the entire
table
When they threw her out , Aria ran to the village chief . He’d go straight to Dominic and call him out for child abuse .
After a while , Dominic and Alice ignored her . And Arla ignored them right back .
Caleb had met the old woman she used to call Grandina . A kind , warmhearted lady .
When : she learned he was Aria’s brother , she smiled , though there was a touch of resignation in her voice . “ Trying to get close to Madelyn , huh ? Not easy ,
Caleb didn’t hesitate . He nodded .
When Silvia was upset , Caleb could buy her things she liked – clothes , jewelry , handbags or take her to an art exhibit .
But with Aria ? Caleb couldn’t figure her out . He didn’t know what she Eked or hated . He didn’t even know how to connect with her .
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tufigured , ” the old woman said with a sigh . “ Madelyn’s
“ Qut het besit’s also smal , il there’s a broad tie , and you’re only good to her out of gult -not with your whole haart – defalk hesitation . Especially if she sees you treating komeine alte betta ”
Caleb thought , “ What has the Saron family ever really given Ariat Clothes , handbags , dresses , jewelry .
“ But Aria clearly prefers pants , doesn’t like jewelry , and hales carrying bags .
“ Everything they give her is what Silvia liked . And then they blame her for being cold and distant .
What Aria really wanted is love not their self righteous , guilt ridden version of “ kindness ”
“ She just wanted a family , ” the old woman had said .
She also shared stories from Aria’s childhood . Like the time someone yelled at her , and Aria stared them down until they left .
Or when a dog tried to bite her , and Aria grabbed a knife , ready to stilke . She had a fierce streak . Even the village kids feared her . Dogs avoided her altogether
The old woman didn’t have any family . She’d often feed Aria , and Aria would quietly help around the house .
she lo
Aria’s love was straightforward . If you loved her , she loved you back .
Simple as that . The old woman managed to do it . No one else had .
“ Caleb ! ” Aria spoke up
Caleb’s thoughts snapped back . He looked into her eyes – they were calm and smiling .
Aria said softly . “ You don’t have to feel guilty . I actually really like the life I have now . ”
No missions . No bloodshed . No scheming . And more money than she could ever spend . Aria genuinely liked her
Caleb didn’t have the courage to meet her gaze . He looked away , a bitter smile on his lips . “ These days I keep thinking – if there hadn’t been a switch at birth , maybe things would’ve turned out differently .”
“ No. ” Aria said without hesitation . “ Everything happened the way it was meant to . I don’t regret it . ”
Aria didn’t really understand Silvia – but she didn’t resent her either . The process had been messy , but the ending was okay ,
Just like today – she managed to grab the knife in time and save the girl who lunged at her
And Black Rose had tried to kill her and failed , ending up being forced to help her find the one who ordered the hit .