Chapter 697
698
The entire scroll was densely covered with apologies in various languages. Owen kept unrolling the scroll, the apologies stretching all the way to its very end.
After each apology, there were many tiny figures delicately sketched in fine lines. Some figures were depicted with hands clasped in prayer, others prostrating with their foreheads touching the ground.
The scroll stretched about 15 feet long. Owen couldn’t help but be impressed.
Aria was also impressed and genuinely praised, “His handwriting is pretty neat.” Each stroke was clearly defined, making it quite pleasing to the eye.
Aria never hated Nathan. To her, he was always just a stranger.
As the pampered youngest son of the Saxon family, Nathan’s measure of relationships was simple: whoever treated him well was family. There was nothing inherently wrong with that logic.
But Aria wasn’t like that. The Saxons were strangers to her, unworthy of her attention.
Since Aria and Nathan didn’t get along, there was no need to stay in contact. It made little difference to Aria whether Nathan apologized or not.
Aria thought, ‘I’d be lying if I said all those apologies and little drawings didn’t move me, at least a little. But that was it. Nathan wasn’t her brother, and she was certainly no Saxon.
Nathan emerged from his room with dark circles under his eyes, pacing anxiously in the living room. His phone screen kept lighting up and going dark, but no message ever came. Aria was never the type to initiate contact.
Dejected, Nathan turned to go upstairs, only to run into Silvia entering with a picture frame in her arms. Nathan asked, “Aria, why are you carrying that frame?”
Silvia’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Aria gave me this painting. I bought a frame to have it properly mounted.”
Nathan jerked to a stop. “You mean Aria? She actually gave you a painting as a birthday gift?”
Seeing Silvia nod, a knot formed in Nathan’s chest. “Can I take a look?” he asked.
“Of course, come to my room,” Silvia said.
Nathan quickly spotted the painting. He thought, ‘This is definitely Aria’s work. The style is unmistakably Mono’s.
Silvia carefully mounted it, her voice brimming with pride. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Nathan stared at the painting for a long moment before suddenly blurting out, “When did you two get so close?”
Nathan knew Aria had adopted another little sister, Pearl, but he was unaware of Pearl’s true identity,
Silvia hadn’t planned to mention Pearl, but seeing the envious expression on Nathan’s face, she finally relented. “I have a younger sister…”
She briefly explained, “Actually, Aria is really easy to get along with. Being with her feels so comfortable and liberating. She makes me feel completely safe.”
1/2
698
The more Nathan listened, the more unsettled he felt, a sour mix of envy and frustration twisting in his chest. He thought bitterly, ‘How did these two, who should’ve been at odds, end up getting so close?’
“Next time you and Aria meet, could I come along?” Nathan asked, his voice tentative, hope flickering in his eyes.
Silvia’s smile froze as she stammered, “That might be a bit difficult.” She’d rather risk upsetting Nathan than make things
difficult for Aria.
“Guess I saw that coming,” Nathan said with a forced smile and a casual shrug. “No worries. But if you ever need anything, promise you’ll let me know?”
Silvia said, “Alright, I’m off to work now.”
“I’m off to school, too,” Nathan said.
Just as Aria finished freshening up, she got a call from Fred, the dean. Fred asked, “Ms. Saxon, when do you think you can come back to campus?”
“Tomorrow.”
The voice on the other end instantly brightened. “With Mr. Schmidt and Ms. Morgan here, you don’t need to worry about those three kids. Since you’ve just returned from abroad, why not take a few more days to rest?
“Ms. Saxon, your project should have no problem passing the preliminary review. However, since the funding required is quite substantial, the final review might hit a snag. The university will actively advocate for you with the committee.”