Chapter 6 – The Woman Aiden Feared

The Stone residence looked like something carved out of cold perfection.

Every surface gleamed. Every step echoed. Every rule was unspoken—but strictly enforced.

Aiden sat at the long dining table, his small feet dangling above the polished floor, his hands folded neatly in his lap the way he had been taught. He stared at his untouched food, appetite gone.

“Eat properly.”

The voice cut through the silence like a blade.

Aiden flinched.

Across the table, Vanessa Hale adjusted her diamond bracelet, her expression flawless, lips curved in a practiced smile that never reached her eyes. She was beautiful in the way magazine covers adored—tall, elegant, impeccably dressed.

But to Aiden, she was terrifying.

“I said eat,” she repeated calmly.

“Yes… Aunt Vanessa,” he whispered, picking up his spoon with shaking fingers.

Damien frowned slightly from the head of the table. He had noticed it before—the way Aiden stiffened whenever Vanessa entered a room, the way his laughter dimmed, his shoulders tensed.

But Vanessa had always been perfect in front of others.

Kind words. Gentle smiles. Concerned tones.

Too perfect.

“Don’t pressure him,” Damien said coolly. “He’ll eat when he wants.”

Vanessa turned to him, surprise flashing briefly before she masked it. “I’m only trying to help. Discipline is important, Damien. Especially for a child who will one day carry the Stone name.”

Aiden’s fingers tightened around the spoon.

Damien’s jaw clenched. “He’s five.”

Vanessa smiled sweetly. “Exactly. The age habits are formed.”

Aiden lowered his head, suddenly wishing—desperately—that he was somewhere else.

Somewhere warm.

Somewhere loud.

Somewhere with Aria.

That evening, in a sunlit apartment across the city, warmth filled every corner.

“MUUUM!”

May barely had time to put her bag down before Aria came barreling toward her, wrapping her arms tightly around her legs.

“Mum! Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!” Aria squealed, bouncing.

May laughed, bending down to scoop her up. “Slow down, sunshine. You’re going to explode.”

“I made a new best friend today!” Aria announced proudly.

Lily looked up from the couch, smiling. “Already? That was fast.”

“He’s called Aiden,” Aria continued excitedly. “And he has the nicest eyes and he shared his crayons and he likes dinosaurs and—”

“And he’s very polite,” May added gently, remembering the little boy from the kindergarten. Quiet. Well-mannered. A bit too cautious for his age.

Aria nodded seriously. “Yes. And he doesn’t talk much. But I talk enough for both of us.”

May chuckled. “I noticed.”

They settled on the couch, Aria curled comfortably between May and Lily, her small feet tucked under her.

“Mum,” Aria said suddenly, her voice softer now, thoughtful. “Aiden looked sad today.”

May’s smile faded slightly. “Why do you think so?”

“He doesn’t like going home,” Aria said simply. “He said it’s very quiet. And there’s a lady who shouts without shouting.”

Lily blinked. “Shouts without shouting?”

Aria nodded. “Like… when grown-ups smile but their eyes are angry.”

May’s heart tightened.

Children noticed things adults ignored.

“What did you do?” May asked gently.

“I held his hand,” Aria said proudly. “And I told him he can come to our house one day. Because our house is noisy and aunty Lily laughs a lot.”

Lily laughed. “That’s true.”

May kissed Aria’s hair, her thoughts swirling. “That was kind of you, sweetheart.”

Aria beamed. “He smiled then.”

That night, after Aria had fallen asleep with a stuffed bunny clutched to her chest, May sat quietly beside her bed.

“She’s very attached to him,” Lily said softly from the doorway.

May nodded. “And I’m a little worried.”

Lily leaned against the frame. “Me too.”

The next morning at Stone Global Holdings, admiration for May had not faded.

If anything, it had grown.

Employees straightened when she passed. Some smiled nervously. Others whispered with awe.

“Did you hear? She challenged the Asia expansion model—and won.”

“She’s calm, but sharp.”

“She makes you want to do better.”

May worked effortlessly, her presence commanding respect without intimidation.

Damien watched from a distance again.

This time, he didn’t pretend otherwise.

“She’s different,” he murmured to himself.

Later that day, he found himself unexpectedly crossing paths with her near the elevator.

“Miss Austin.”

May turned, composed. “Mr. Stone.”

Their eyes met.

For a split second, the world seemed to pause.

There was something about her gaze—steady, intelligent, warm yet guarded—that unsettled him.

“I wanted to personally welcome you,” Damien said. “Your contribution yesterday was… impressive.”

“Thank you,” May replied politely. “I value efficiency.”

A corner of his lips lifted. “So do I.”

Silence stretched—not awkward, but charged.

Before either could say more, Vanessa appeared, her arm slipping possessively through Damien’s.

“There you are,” she said brightly. “I was looking everywhere for you.”

Her eyes flicked to May, assessing. Calculating.

“And you must be the new consultant everyone is talking about,” Vanessa added, her smile flawless.

May returned it calmly. “May Austin.”

Vanessa nodded slowly. “Vanessa Hale. Damien’s fiancée.”

The word hung in the air.

May felt nothing—yet.

Damien, however, felt a strange discomfort he couldn’t name.

“Nice to meet you,” May said smoothly.

Vanessa’s smile sharpened just a touch. “Likewise.”

As May stepped into the elevator, Vanessa leaned closer to Damien.

“She’s interesting,” she said lightly. “But be careful. Women like that tend to forget their place.”

Damien’s eyes followed the closing elevator doors.

Something in his chest tightened.

For reasons he couldn’t explain—he didn’t like the way Vanessa had said that.

And somewhere across the city, a little girl was talking nonstop trying to cheer up a cold quiet boy with sad eyes, unknowingly tugging at threads fate had carefully tied years ago.