Chapter 3

Theo's eyes widened..

"What...?! "

He couldn't believe his own ears.. Aurelia nodded..

"Yes... Will you marry me? "

"I... I.. "

Theodore couldn't form sentences..

"I have waited so many years for you.. You promised to marry me.. You said when we grow up, you'll make me your bride and we will be forever happy.. You remember? "

He nodded.. But then he smiled..

"I am glad that you remembered, Lilian.. Because I wasn't planning to break my promise either.. All I needed was your permission.. Now that I have it, there is nothing that'll stop me from making you mine.. "

He pulled her close, his one hand on her back while the other held her cheek.. He leaned in until their lips met.. Her eyes widen but she didn't push him away.. Instead, she wrapped her hands around his neck.. Savouring the moment to it's fullest..

As she closed her eyes, The memories from their childhood crossed her mind..

------Flashback -----

Little Aurelia

Wrapped in the familiar softness of her mother’s shawl, Aurelia Vance sat curled on the edge of her bed, knees tucked to her chest. The scent of lavender still lingered in the delicate fabric, faded but comforting—like a whisper from the past. It had been a year since her mother passed, and though people said the pain would dull over time, the ache in her chest had not lessened. Not even a little.

"I miss Mommy..." she murmured, her voice trembling as she buried her face deeper into the shawl.

The creak of her bedroom door drew her gaze upward, and there, in the golden afternoon light, stood a boy with dark curls and soft brown eyes—Theodore Knowles, her best friend since before she could remember.

He said nothing at first, just stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind him. Without a word, Theo walked to her and wrapped his arms around her small frame. The warmth of his embrace chased away the cold that had settled in her bones, and her tight shoulders finally relaxed.

"It's okay, Lilian," he whispered, using the nickname only he called her. "I'm always with you."

His hand stroked her hair with gentle, practiced care. It was such a small gesture, but to Aurelia, it meant everything. Her tears welled up again.

"I miss my mommy," she whispered, as if saying it aloud might somehow bring her back.

"You can call my mom your mommy," Theo replied, his voice soft but sincere. “She’ll love it. She already makes extra cookies for you.”

That made Aurelia smile through her tears.

"You'll always be with me, right?" she asked, tilting her face up to him, eyes wide and filled with childlike hope.

Theo nodded, his smile sweet and sure. “Always. When we grow up, I’ll marry you, and we’ll always be happy.”

A soft giggle escaped her, and Theo chuckled too. The sound filled the quiet room like a promise, warm and full of dreams.

But just as the moment settled into something precious, a small thud cut through the air as something hit Theo’s head—a soft ball of yarn from Aurelia’s sewing basket.

“Ow!” Theo yelped, rubbing the back of his head.

Aurelia blinked and turned toward the doorway, only to find Owen Ashford standing there, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. His blond hair caught the light like a halo, but the scowl on his face erased any angelic illusion.

“She’ll be my bride!” Owen snapped, glaring at Theo. “Her mama promised my mama a long time ago!”

Aurelia blinked, confused, watching as the two boys squared off like tiny knights ready for war. Theo stood up, fists clenched, his cheeks flushed with indignation.

“She didn’t say she wanted to marry you!” Theo shot back. “Aurelia said I make her smile!”

“I’m older,” Owen huffed. “That means I get to choose first!”

“You can’t choose people like toys!”

“She’s not yours!”

“She’s not yours either!”

Aurelia stared between them, unsure if she wanted to laugh, cry, or hide under her bed. The two boys continued their childish standoff, chest puffed out, eyes blazing with the unfiltered passion only young hearts could carry.

Finally, she stood up and cleared her throat, tiny but commanding.

“I’m not a toy,” she said firmly. “I’ll decide who I marry when I grow up.”

Theo looked sheepish, glancing at his feet, while Owen folded his arms and looked away, pouting.

“But,” Aurelia added softly, “you’re both silly.”

A beat passed—and then, all three burst into laughter.

The tension broke, and the room was filled with the sound of children’s joy once more. In that fleeting moment, nothing was broken. The future hadn’t stolen anything yet. There were no betrayals, no lies, no pain. Just childhood dreams, stitched together with laughter and light.

Outside, the wind stirred the garden trees, and the scent of roses drifted in through the window, mingling with the lavender of her mother’s shawl.

For a little while longer, Aurelia was just a girl in a warm room, loved by two boys and held by a memory.

The trio ran down, skipping stairs.. Aurelia's laughter echoes in the silent mansion making the grown up's startled.. Her father, Herman Vance, stared at her daughters smiling face.. After a year, she finally smiled like the little kid she was.. It made a smile form on Herman's face..

"It was a good idea to bring the kids here.. "

The other person spoke and Herman looked at Norlan Knowles, Theo's father and his best friend. He nodded..

"It was.. She looks so happy.. "

He looked back at her again, adoring her laughter..

"I think she is lonely Herman.. "

Another one spoke, Oscar Ashford, Owen's father and Aurelia's mothers friends husband. Friends with him as well..

"But I am here.. The maids stay with her all the time.. "

Herman said, trying to deny the fact that her daughter it lonely.. Oscar shook his head..

"Maids cannot be mother..You're here but not really.. You go to work early and stay there most of the time.. She sees you at night.. "

Herman looked down, feeling guilty.. He could give his daughter everything but how can she bring back her mother who is no more?

"What should I do then? She is my only daughter.. I can't see her sad and alone.. "

Herman said, his voice holding her weight of grief in his heart..

"Maybe you should marry again? "

Oscar suggested but Herman waved his hand in disapproval..

"No.. I can't.. Megan(his wife ) was my everything.. I gave her my whole heart and love.. When she died, my soul died with her.. I can't bring myself to marry someone else.. I don't want Aurelia to feel like I replaced her mother.. "

Norlan, who was silent till now, spoke up..

"Why don't you adopt a child? "

Herman raised a brow at him..

"What are you talking about? "

He pointed towards the kids..

"If someone of her age stays with her always, she won't feel lonely.. Look at her, playing with the boys abd being happy.. But they can't be here with her all the time, right? “

Herman followed Norlan’s gesture, his gaze drifting back to the three children chasing one another down the marble hall. Aurelia’s silvery laughter echoed like sunlight through the corridors, warm and unfiltered. For a brief moment, it painted over the grief that had soaked the house for so long.

But Norlan was right—Theo and Owen wouldn’t always be around. Their families would return to their own estates. And when they did, Aurelia would be alone again. The silence would come back, heavier than before.

Herman sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

“Adopt a child…” he murmured, half to himself. “I don’t know…”

“It’s not a replacement,” Norlan said gently. “It’s a companion. Someone to grow up with her, to make memories with. She’s always been such a tender-hearted girl, Herman. She needs someone who can understand her, day in and day out.”

Oscar added, “Think of it this way: it’s not just about giving Aurelia someone—it’s also about giving another child a life they wouldn’t have had. You’d be saving someone.”

Herman didn’t answer right away. His eyes were still fixed on Aurelia, who was now crouched behind a pillar, waiting to jump-scare Theo and Owen. Her giggles were soft but genuine—joyful. He hadn’t heard that sound in over a year.

“Do you think Megan would approve?” Herman asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Norlan rested a hand on his shoulder. “She’d want Aurelia to be happy. That’s all she ever wanted.”

Oscar nodded. “You don’t have to decide now. But… think about it.”

Just then, the boys screamed in playful alarm as Aurelia leapt from her hiding spot, arms flailing like a mischievous ghost. Theo stumbled backward, falling dramatically to the floor, while Owen clutched his chest in mock horror.

“Aha! Got you!” she declared, triumphant.

“You did not!” Owen pouted.

“Yes she did,” Theo grinned, ruffling her hair.

Their laughter blended, carefree and wild, echoing through the halls once more. Herman couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in a long while, he saw his daughter not as a grieving child—but simply as a child.

Maybe Norlan was right.

Maybe Aurelia needed a sister.