The tension in the room had died down, and Verena had calmed down, but still, something within her was scared to lose an aunt too.
"I am sorry," she said, her expression painful. Joanne looked down, her eyes filled with sorrow.
"She came to me, but I wasn't able to help her. I was in a very difficult situation. Everything was turning against us. I never thought I would lose her so soon. Too early, she went away. She was my younger sister and went to heaven earlier than me. It's all my fault."
"Mother," Louis called out, his face contorted with anguish. Her words had bored into him like a knife. How could a son stand hearing his mother speak of death?
"Don't say that it's your fault, aunt," Verena said, her expression a mix of sadness and heartbreak. She couldn't help but blame herself for some part of it.
Whatever had happened was Vandeleur's doing, and she knew it!
"You two are going to get married?" Joanne asked hopefully. Verena looked at Louis, her eyes filled with warmth, and she smiled at his mother while nodding. Joanne smiled back and closed her eyes.
She said, "It's my dream. The day I lost my sister, I vowed to bring you to me. I am your mother-in-law from now on. I can't help but feel delighted, Verena." She paused and once again said, "I am sorry."
"Please, don't," Verena said, her eyes welling up with tears. She reached out and gently held Joanne's hand, which was placed on Verena's cheek.
"Mother... are we cousins?" Louis asked, his expression a mixture of confusion and surprise.
"Yes, my son. You two are cousins. Meant for each other," Joanne replied with a warm smile. "You were so stubborn and wouldn't let Sofiya, Verena's mother, take Verena from you." She smiled at them.
"You really like the baby."
Louis was shocked by the revelation. He stared at Verena and found her staring at his mother, a blush on her cheeks.
She looked more beautiful and complicated today, and he couldn't help but feel something stirring within him again.
He was about to ask something when his phone rang, and he saw that it was his grandfather calling. "Hello, grandpa?"
"Louis, can you hear me?" Grandpa Cian's booming voice echoed through the phone, causing him to lower it a bit before replying, "Yes, I can hear you."
"Good. Come home with your girlfriend. Uh, what is her name? I keep forgetting."
"Verena," Louis informed her, and he turned his attention to Verena, who was already gazing at him. When their eyes met, she looked away and engaged in a conversation with his mother.
"Come home for dinner with Verena. I want to meet her," Grandpa Cian insisted. Louis heard the request and took one last glance at his mother before heading out.
"Grandpa, she is my choice, no matter how she is, no matter her past or her present. Her future is in my hands. I can change everything about her if you trust me."
Grandpa Cian was taken aback by Louis's determination. He realised there must be something significant about this Verena girl that he needed to know. He abruptly ended the call and dialled his assistant's number.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Cian. How may I assist you today?" Liam answered the phone with a professional tone.
"Liam, I require your immediate attention on a matter of utmost importance." Grandpa Cian spoke in a grave and serious voice. Liam leaned in closer to the phone, and his curiosity piqued.
"Of course, sir. What's going on?" Liam asked, sensing the urgency in his grandfather's voice.
Grandpa Cian's expression turned resolute, his furrowed brows revealing the gravity of the situation.
"I need you to embark on a discreet investigation for me. It concerns a young woman named Verena." Grandpa Cian emphasised each other for the other party to understand clearly.
"Verena. I see. Can you provide me with any specific details to begin with?"
Grandpa Cian thoughtfully instructed. "Start with the basics. Her full name, family background, education, and employment history—I want to know her past and her present—every detail that might be relevant. And remember, this must remain entirely confidential. I don't want Louis or Verena to catch wind of this."
Understood, Mr. Cian. I'll handle this with the utmost discretion." A sense of trust and determination passed between them as Grandpa Cian continued.
"Thank you, Liam. This is a matter close to my heart. I need to ensure Louis is making the right choice."
Liam was already forty-five years old and had been working with Grandpa Cian for over twenty years.
He had proven himself to be loyal and trustworthy, and Grandpa Cian knew he could rely on Liam's judgement and ability to investigate thoroughly.
"Consider it done, Mr. Cian. I'll initiate the investigation immediately and keep you informed of any developments."
"Very well. Let's proceed and uncover what we need to know." Grandpa Cian nodded approvingly, grateful for Liam's commitment to the task at hand.
"You can rely on me, Mr. Cian. I'll leave no stone unturned in this inquiry."