CHAPTER 6

“Welcome home, Madam Lambert.”

Lydia had barely stepped out of the black Bugatti when the butler bowed before her.

She paused, her eyes moving past him to the grand entrance of the Lambert mansion.

The entire household staff stood in two neat rows along the entrance, dressed in their finest uniforms. Some wore wide smiles, while others struggled to hide their excitement. A few had been with the family since Lydia was a little girl. They had watched her grow up, and now, after years of waiting, she was standing before them again.

“Madam Lydia!”

“Welcome home, Miss Lydia!”

Their greetings came one after another.

Lydia's lips parted, but no words came out. She hadn't expected this. She had imagined arriving quietly, perhaps slipping into the mansion without attracting too much attention. Instead, the entire household had come out to receive her.

“It's good to see you again, Madam,” the butler said.

Lydia turned to him. “It's good to see you too.”

“Her Ladyship has been looking forward to your arrival.”

Before she could respond, a voice came from the top of the stairs.

“Then why is my granddaughter still standing outside?”

Every head turned.

Grandmother Lambert stood at the entrance, dressed in a wine-coloured gown, a string of pearls resting against her neck. Her silver hair was styled elegantly, and her expression carried the authority that had kept the Lambert household in order for decades.

She descended the steps slowly, her eyes fixed on Lydia.

“Grandma…”

“Come here, child.”

Lydia barely made it up the steps before her grandmother reached for her. The older woman pulled her into an embrace, holding her firmly.

For a moment, Lydia forgot about the people watching. She closed her eyes and buried her face against her grandmother's shoulder.

“I'm home,” she whispered.

Her grandmother's arms tightened around her.

“Yes, you are.”

When they finally separated, the older woman held Lydia by both shoulders and examined her face.

“Turn around.”

Lydia blinked. “What?”

“I said turn around. Let me see you properly.”

A few of the staff exchanged amused glances as Lydia reluctantly turned.

Her grandmother clicked her tongue.

“Look at you. Have you forgotten how to take care of yourself?”

“Grandma, I'm fine.”

“Fine? Is that what you call this face? You look like you've been fighting a war.”

Lydia lowered her eyes, and her grandmother's expression softened.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

She brushed a strand of hair away from Lydia's forehead.

“Whatever happened, we will discuss it inside. I won't have you standing here looking as though you're about to fall apart.”

A quiet chuckle escaped one of the older staff members.

Grandmother Lambert turned her head.

“And what is so amusing?”

The woman immediately lowered her gaze. “Nothing, Your Ladyship.”

“Good. Then perhaps everyone can return to work instead of watching my granddaughter like she's a celebrity.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship!”

The staff bowed, though several still managed to smile at Lydia before retreating into the mansion.

Grandmother Lambert shook her head.

“Honestly, I leave them alone for five minutes, and they forget how to behave.”

Lydia laughed softly.

“There. That's better.” Her grandmother took her hand. “I was beginning to think you had forgotten how to smile.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't start apologising already. I haven't even begun questioning you.”

Lydia's smile faded slightly.

“Come. Let's get you inside.” Her grandmother pushed.

She turned towards the butler. “Have her luggage taken to her suite. And inform the kitchen that Lydia will be having lunch with me.”

“Certainly, Your Ladyship.”

“And make sure they prepare something proper. None of those fancy little portions they keep serving at dinner parties.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Grandmother Lambert began leading Lydia inside, but stopped after a few steps.

“Wait. Have you eaten today?”

Lydia shook her head.

The older woman sighed dramatically. “Wonderful. My granddaughter returns after all these years, and the first thing I discover is that she has forgotten how to eat. What exactly have you been doing with yourself?”

“Grandma…”

“Don't Grandma me. You'll eat first, and then we'll talk.”

Lydia followed her into the mansion.

The staff stepped aside as they passed, greeting her respectfully. She acknowledged them with small nods, recognising a few familiar faces among the household workers.

At the foot of the staircase, Grandmother Lambert stopped and looked at her again.

“Your suite has been kept exactly as you left it. Nobody has been allowed to touch your belongings.”

Lydia stared at her.

“You kept it?”

Her grandmother raised an eyebrow. “Did you expect me to turn your room into a storage space?”

“No. I just thought…”

“You thought what? That I would erase you because you decided to forget this family?”

Lydia's throat tightened.

Her grandmother held her gaze for a moment before letting out a breath.

“Don't look at me like that. I'm still angry with you.”

“I know.”

“And I have every right to be.”

“I know, Grandma.”

“But you are my granddaughter. No matter how stubborn you become, this will always be your home.”

Lydia looked away, blinking rapidly.

Her grandmother squeezed her hand.

“Now, enough of that. Come upstairs. You can tell me everything when you've rested.”