Walking back into the Anderson Mansion, we heard laughter and chatting coming from the living room. Curious, I turned to Butler John and asked, "Are we having any guests today?"
"Oh, Madam. Young Miss came along with her son. Tomorrow is the banquet, so they arrived a day early," he informed us.
My brows furrowed slightly as I thought of Fiona Anderson, Noah's aunt. I remembered seeing her at our wedding reception, but I didn't have much of an impression of her. Perhaps today we'd get to know each other better.
Walking into the living room, I politely greeted everyone. "Good evening."
"Oh, Lyla dear, come sit," Grandpa called out cheerfully as he spotted us entering. I walked over and sat beside him, while Noah took a single couch.
"Hi, Lyla. Hey, Noah darling, you didn't inform us that you'd returned. I only saw the news today," she greeted in a cheerful tone. She looked towards Noah in fake anger and questioned him.
"It was a sudden decision, and I thought since you'd be attending the banquet, we'd see each other then," he replied, his voice cool, though I sensed a faint hint of warmth in it.
"Lyla, this is Fiona, Noah's only aunt," Grandpa introduced us.
"Hello, Aunt Fiona. I saw you at the wedding but didn't get the chance to greet you properly," I said in an apologetic tone.
"It's alright, dear. You had too many people to greet that day; I don't mind it," she said, waving her hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal.
Her words made me feel a little relieved. I didn't want to leave a bad impression on any of Noah's family members, and she seemed nice. Given her cheerful personality, I felt we could get along.
My eyes shifted toward the young boy sitting next to her—a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old. He was sitting quietly, looking at Noah with a mix of fear and awe. Curious, I asked, "This is?"
"Oh, my bad. This is my son, Connor," Aunt Fiona replied.
The boy suddenly straightened up as he was mentioned, his gaze darting toward me.
"Hi, Connor," I greeted him warmly.
He didn't respond and just looked down, making me smile slightly. "He seems a little shy?" I glanced at Aunt Fiona.
"Shy? Him? That's a façade!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "This boy is the definition of a living nightmare for me. He's only quiet because his brother Noah is here."
Connor's face turned red as he protested, "Mom!"
"What? Am I wrong?" she laughed, clearly enjoying teasing her son.
Connor pouted, his cheeks flushing even more, while Aunt Fiona's laughter filled the room.
I turned toward Noah, "never knowing he was the type of strict cousin who liked to take control of younger siblings."
"He didn't care much until this troublemaker thought it would be fun to change the labels on the files in his study," Aunt Fiona said, recalling the event with amusement. "Noah was quite furious that day, and from then on, he made Connor behave. If I'd known he could control his bad behavior like that, I would've told Connor myself to annoy his elder brother!"
Her words surprised me, and Grandpa laughed heartily along with her. Her easy interaction with them gave me the impression of their close bond.
"Alright, Dad, let me ask you—when will my brother and sister-in-law be back?" Aunt Fiona asked about Noah's parents.
My in-laws had been on an extended world tour ever since our marriage was done. They hadn't come back since then. From Aunt Meena, I'd heard they were somewhere in Spain last month. The trip had lasted a long time—around three years, if I was correct.
"They should be back soon," Grandpa replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I believe they mentioned wrapping up their trip by spring."
"I can't wait to see them again," Aunt Fiona said with a warm smile. "It feels like ages since we've had everyone together."
"Old Master, dinner is served," the butler announced as we were chatting.
The dinner was quite fancy—perhaps because the daughter of the Anderson family had come back, and the kitchen seemed to have taken extra care with the menu.
"Would I be treated like this if I went back to my own home?" I thought, and suddenly thought of being guest in your own home came to my mind. a heaviness settled in my heart.
"Lyla dear, are you alright? Why aren't you eating anything?" Grandpa noticed my lack of appetite and asked with concern.
"I'm alright, Grandpa. I just don't have much appetite," I replied softly and took a small bite from my plate, trying not to worry him.
Suddenly, a hand reached over with a peeled shrimp and gently placed it on my plate. I looked up toward Noah and saw him subtly gesturing for me to eat.
The heaviness in my heart dispersed instantly, replaced by a warm feeling that spread through me. Somehow, his quiet gesture spoke volumes, and I felt comforted in a way I couldn't explain.
As dinner came to an end, I walked into my… I mean, Noah's and my room. Thankfully, Noah was in the bathroom. I took my clothes from the closet, getting ready to shower, when I heard a knock on the door.
I turned toward it and saw Aunt Fiona standing there.
"Oh! Aunty, please come inside," I said warmly. She walked in with a small box in her hand.
"Sorry to disturb you, sweetheart. This is something I brought for you," she said, handing me the box.
I quickly tried to refuse. "There's no need for this, Aunty."
"Sweetheart, it's the first time I've come here as your aunt-in-law since your marriage. It's just a little token of my love for you. Don't refuse," she said with a kind smile. Her words left me with no choice but to accept.
"Open it and see if you like it," she encouraged me.
I slowly opened the box and saw a pearl necklace with a pink princess-cut diamond nestled in the middle of the beads.
"This is beautiful," I said in awe.
"I'm glad you like it," she replied, pleased.
We talked for a while, and then she left the room. I carefully put the necklace in the cabinet and sat on the bed, waiting for Noah to come out of the bathroom so I could take my shower.