Aria’s POV

Sophia turned to the crowd, tears spilling freely now, her gratitude written all over her face.

“Thank you all for speaking up for me. This is truly my last resort. Our family was unfair to Aria before. I hope she won’t take it to heart. Mom’s condition is really too serious now. I had no choice... I just wanted to fulfill Mom’s wish, that’s why I came to trouble you.”

She looked pitiful, broken and selfless.

But as I stood there, feeling the crowd’s judgment like heat against my skin, I caught a fleeting flash of provocation in Sophia’s eyes.

A cold chill ran down my spine.

Ah...So this was her real goal.

If I refused, tomorrow’s headlines would tear me apart—Heartless Daughter Abandons Mentally Ill Mother. Public opinion would shred me without mercy.

I sneered inwardly.

Even if Margaret truly felt remorse now, even if she wanted to “make up” for the past, I no longer needed it. My wolf and I had survived without her. I had bled, healed, and grown stronger alone. Stepping back into anything connected to them would only fill me with disgust.

The crowd stared at me, pressing, demanding an answer.

Then...

I smiled.

“When did I ever say I wouldn’t go?”

The words rippled outward.

Sophia froze.

Her surprise flashed across her face before she could hide it. “What?”

My lips curved slightly. “When did I ever say I wasn’t going?”

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “From beginning to end, I never said a single word of refusal, Yet all of you became so righteously indignant, like I’d already committed some unforgivable crime.”

A soft chuckle slipped from me. I even clapped lightly.

The sound echoed.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

As the truth of my word settled in, embarrassment crept onto their faces. The accusatory looks softened, replaced with awkward hints of apology.

At the edge of my vision, Rowland guided the elderly couple toward a quieter corner, shielding them from the crowd’s discomfort.

I glanced at them briefly, then turned back to Sophia.

“I hope you’re telling the truth about Margaret,” I said calmly. “I’d hate to waste my time making the trip for nothing.”

That was it.

The matter was settled.

Sophia still looked unsettled, confusion flickering in her eyes. She was probably wondering why I had agreed so easily, especially since I had been determined to sever all ties with the Darvin family.

She clenched her fists tighter.

“Alright, Aria,” she said at last. “I’ll pick you up at your office tomorrow.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait.”

The word didn’t come from me.

Chloe stepped forward, her voice sharp as a snapped twig.

Sophia was forced to stop. She turned back, impatience already seeping into her expression. “What is it now? Is there something else?”

When she realized it wasn’t me who had called out, the thin layer of courtesy on her face cracked.

“You think you can just leave like that?” Chloe demanded, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “What about dragging the media here and breaking into someone’s office? That hasn’t been addressed yet.”

Her anger burned hot and honest. I could smell it.

Sophia choked slightly, clearly unprepared, her expression stiffening. “Didn’t I already explain that? What more do you want from me?”

“You think an explanation is enough?” Chloe snapped, surging forward. “Do you realize what you did was illegal?”

Before Chloe could advance any further, Amelia held her arm.

Chloe felt the restraint and shot Amelia an indignant look, her frustration vibrating through her body.

“Let her go.” I said in a calm and steady voice.

“Margaret is alone at the villa. She needs someone there.”

I met Chloe’s and Amelia’s eyes, offering them a reassuring look, then nodded slightly toward Sophia. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Sophia exhaled in relief the moment she realized I wasn’t going to pursue the matter, at least not now. Before turning away, she cast Chloe and Amelia a smug, triumphant glance.

Then she walked off with her head held high.

From behind, Chloe practically bristled. I could see the arrogance in Sophia’s retreating figure too, and if Amelia hadn’t been holding her back, Chloe might have already lunged and grabbed her by the hair.

With the two “main parties” apparently reconciled, the crowd lost interest and began to disperse. Their whispers faded, their footsteps retreated.

As soon as the prying eyes were gone, Amelia grabbed my wrist and pulled me swiftly into the office building.

The doors closed behind us.

“Why didn’t you press charges?” Chloe burst out the moment we were alone. “You don’t actually believe that nonsense about good intentions, do you? If we hadn’t prepared in advance, tomorrow’s headline would be about you having a secret rendezvous with Richard right after your divorce!”

“Aria,” Amelia said, her brows knitted tightly, “your public response today only makes the media believe Sophia really meant well. It helps maintain her image. That does nothing but harm you.”

They both looked at me, confusion and worry tangled together in their expressions.

For a moment, I just stared at them.

Then I shook my head.

“No.”

Warmth spread through my chest, surprising even me. My wolf settled, tail curling contentedly. I reached out and took both their hands and only then did I realize how cold they were.

They had been genuinely scared for me.

“Legally,” I said softly, “you can’t sever blood ties with words. If Margaret is truly sick, I should go see her. And besides, do you really think she still holds any real power in the Darvin family?”