Twelve

NOVARIA’S POV

Morning came quietly.

Soft gray light slipped through the curtains, spreading across the large bedroom in pale streaks. 

Outside, rain tapped gently against the windows, and the cold weather wrapped itself around the mansion like a heavy blanket.

I stirred slowly beneath the sheets. Warmth surrounded me completely.

Sylvester’s arm rested securely around my waist while my face remained buried against his chest, his steady heartbeat echoing softly beneath my ear. Even in sleep, he held me protectively, as though letting go of me wasn’t something his body intended to do.

For a few peaceful seconds, i remained still, eyes half-closed.

Until, the sharp sound of an alarm shattered the silence.

I groaned softly.

Sylvester frowned in his sleep before finally opening his eyes lazily.

The alarm continued ringing from the bedside table.

“Oh no…” i mumbled tiredly, reaching for it.

Today was the day. The day i would return home to get my belongings. The reminder alone made my stomach twist nervously.

Sylvester watched me quietly as i turned the alarm off. His messy dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his voice came out deep and sleepy.

“You okay?”

I forced a small nod.

“Yeah.”

But i wasn’t. Not really.

The thought of facing mother again already made my chest feel heavy.

Sylvester seemed to notice immediately, but instead of pushing me, he simply brushed his thumb lightly against my arm.

“Get dressed,” he said softly. “We’ll go together.”

Something about the calm certainty in his tone eased my nerves slightly.

A little while later, we both headed downstairs. The smell of breakfast filled the mansion immediately.

Fresh pancakes. Coffee, toast and the faint scent of bacon.

The weather wasn't really nice on me. It was so 

cold, and I could hardly stop to tremble. 

Although I was wearing a warm outfit, my hands and legs were still cold. I refused saying anything to them thou, as I felt like facing the weather myself.

Kelvin and Collins were already seated at the dining table when Sylvester and i entered.

Kelvin immediately grinned.

“Well, look who finally woke up.”

I rolled my eyes playfully.

“Good morning.”

Kelvin stood up dramatically and walked toward me before ruffling my hair aggressively.

“Did my beautiful princess sleep well?”

“Kelvin!” i whined instantly, trying to fix my hair. “I just combed this!”

His laughter echoed loudly across the room.

“Cute.”

I huffed under my breath while Collins chuckled quietly from his seat. Funny enough, I actually sat down next to Collins this time instead of Sylvester.

The atmosphere around the table quickly became lively. 

Unlike the cold silence i was used to back home, breakfast with these brothers was a melody. Jokes flew across the table effortlessly. Kelvin kept making sarcastic comments. Collins occasionally added dry humor. And even Sylvester, despite his usual composed nature, looked calmer around them.

I found myself laughing more than eating. Every time i giggled, the brothers unconsciously looked at me. And every single time, they found themselves smiling too.

Chris was the only missing one.

“He left early this morning,” Collins explained while sipping coffee. “Another meeting.”

I nodded slowly.

For some reason, i already missed him too. The realization surprised her.

Soon, one of the men from the mansion entered silently with more food before disappearing again without a word. I barely reacted anymore. A few days ago, their intimidating appearances would have terrified me. Now? I was getting used to them.

"Hey look, you have something on your mouth", Collins said, whipping my mouth with a napkin.

I giggled and said sorry before I continued eating. Even though I was feeling a bit nervous as to what mother's reaction would be, I still was in a good mood.

“By the way,” Sylvester suddenly said, setting down his cup, “Aria and I are going to her house today to get her things.”

I could only hope that none of them would mind me bringing my stuff over to their house. I don't really want to bother anyone with my presence, and I don't mind leaving; even though I was comfortable in their house.

Kelvin immediately nodded.

“Makes sense. She’s staying with us anyway.”

I blinked.

The casualness in his voice stunned me. As if me staying here wasn’t a burden at all. Warmth spread quietly through my chest.

Collins leaned back slightly.

“Need any help?”

“No,” Sylvester replied calmly. “We’ll only be gone a few hours.”

I was so happy that the brothers had no objection to my staying over. They have shown me so much love and care that I don't even know if I would be able to repay in a thousand years to come.

Kelvin’s eyes drifted toward my trembling hands.

“You’re cold again.”

I immediately shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re literally shivering.”

I looked away awkwardly.

Kelvin pointed toward the staircase.

“Go get your coat before you freeze to death.”

I laughed softly.

“Okay.”

I hurried upstairs before returning moments later with my coat folded in my arms.

“Ready?” i asked Sylvester already taking some steps ahead of him.

I barely took two steps before his voice stopped me.

“Aria.”

I turned immediately.

Sylvester walked toward me slowly before taking the coat gently from my hands. Without saying anything else, he opened it and carefully slipped it over my shoulders himself. His fingers adjusted the collar lightly near my neck.

“There,” he murmured. “Better.”

I stared at him silently for a moment. Then smiled softly.

Sylvester opened the front door for me.

“Shall we?”

“Hm,” i nodded.

The drive was quiet. Not uncomfortable. Just quiet.

Rain drizzled softly against the SUV windows while the city passed by in blurry gray motions outside.

I sat stiffly in my seat the entire ride. The closer we got to my house, the tighter the knot in my stomach became.

Sylvester noticed. Of course he did. Without looking away from the road, he rested one hand lightly against my knee.

“It’ll be quick,” he said calmly. “We’ll grab your things and leave.”

I swallowed hard.

“Okay.”

But my voice sounded uncertain.

Thirty minutes later, the black SUV stopped outside my apartment building.

My heartbeat instantly quickened.

I stared silently at the familiar building. Nothing had changed. And somehow…hat hurt.

Sylvester stepped out first before walking around to my side. He opened the door for me.

“You ready?”

No.

But i nodded anyway.

Together, we walked toward the apartment door.

I knocked quietly. 

My heart almost fell off my chest, for I didn't really know how mother would react.

 I stood there, thinking of the perfect way to present my story. But come to think of it, Morgana didn't really care about me, so I don't think there should be any need for tension.

Seconds passed. Then footsteps approached from inside. The door finally opened.

Morgana stood there smoking a cigarette. The smell hit me instantly.

Mother barely looked surprised to see me. No relief. No concern. Nothing.

I suddenly forgot every prepared sentence in my head.

“Hi, Mom…” i started quietly. “I came to get some of my things. I’ll be staying with Sylvester for a while.”

At the mention of his name, Sylvester stepped forward politely and extended his hand.

“Good morning, ma’am. I’m Sylvester Muskegon.”

I felt he didn't actually wanted to say a word to mother in the first place, but perhaps he did it just because of me. 

Morgana looked down at his hand. Then back at him. She didn’t shake it. Didn’t even acknowledge it. Instead, she took another drag from her cigarette and stepped aside carelessly.

“Go get your things then.”

My chest tightened painfully. As if I knew that mother didn't really care about whether I lived or died. 

Sylvester slowly lowered his hand. His expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing.

With the suitcase on my hands, I hurried toward my room before the silence could become more uncomfortable.

I packed quickly. Too quickly.

Clothes, Books, A few personal belongings. Everything i thought i might need. And maybe…Everything i didn’t want to leave behind emotionally.

Within twenty minutes, the suitcase was full.

When i returned to the living room, Morgana was still smoking lazily while Sylvester stood near the entrance waiting for me. He hadn’t sat down once. Not even once had mother offered him a seat. I felt so bad to see that Sylvester had been standing all this while I was inside picking up my clothes.

“All done?” Sylvester asked softly when he saw me struggling with the suitcase.

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Alright,” he said gently, taking the suitcase from my hand immediately. “Let’s go.”

Relief flooded through me.

Finally we could leave.

But just as i turned toward the door, Morgana laughed. A cold, mocking laugh.

“Look at you,” she sneered. “So you found yourself some random man to sleep with?”

I froze instantly. The words hit her like a slap.

“You disappeared from home for days and suddenly came back with a rich man?” Morgana continued cruelly. “So this was your plan all along?”

I felt my throat tighten painfully.

“No…” i whispered weakly.

But my voice barely came out. My eyes burned immediately with tears.

Beside me, Sylvester had gone completely still. The air in the room changed instantly.

“Mom…”

Morgana ignored me.

“You really think a man like him brought you to his home out of kindness?” she scoffed bitterly. “Men always want something.”

My tears finally spilled. Not because i believed the words completely, but because a part of me feared they might be true..And that thought alone shattered something inside me.

Sylvester suddenly stepped forward. His jaw clenched tightly. His voice came out cold.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Morgana looked at him without care.

“What?”

“You know that’s not true,” Sylvester said sharply. “Don’t speak about her like that.”

For the first time since entering the apartment, genuine anger burned visibly in his eyes.

Morgana rolled her eyes. She didn't want to reply him. Seeing that I was already weeping, she decided to make me feel more disgusted than ever.

"So you really think that he is not going to use you or something in that manner. Someone you just met...", Mother said, yet to finish her statement before Sylvester cut her short.

“That’s enough!!!!.”

Sylvester’s voice thundered across the room. Even i flinched.

The atmosphere instantly became suffocating. Sylvester stepped protectively in front of me without hesitation.

“Don’t listen to her,” he said firmly, turning slightly toward me. “Not one word.”

I lowered my head quickly, ashamed of my tears. Sylvester’s expression darkened further when he saw me crying.

“Let’s go,” he muttered quietly. “Before I say or do something I’ll regret.”