My Favorite Aunt

Aliyah Norman was the kind of mother who did everything to raise her daughter’s standards—music lessons, cooking, crocheting, baking, makeup, and every skill a woman of high status ought to know, she made sure her daughter studied them.

But Aiden’s words sounded more like an insult than a compliment. Well…it was an insult.

“Can you ever talk nicely?” Luna shot back through gritted teeth. Her mother was dead, and even if Aiden had never liked her, he could at least respect her memory.

“Such a small critique and you’re already fuming. You should hear what the people in Ashwood are saying.”

Aiden caught Luna’s glare in the rearview mirror. “You won’t survive in Ashwood.”

“I will be back there,” Luna said firmly, meeting his gaze with defiance. Whether she could survive there or not was the least of her concern.

Aiden’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Then you’ll be mine.”

“Aiden!” Luna’s face flushed with anger. Cecile sighed heavily, silently wishing for the ride to end so Aiden could finally be on his way.

“Do you love blogging?” Cecile tried to change the topic. “Calla has a big studio at home. You’ll love it.”

Luna nodded absently, still scowling at Aiden’s back. Soon, the car turned down the private road and passed through the estate gates.

“The young miss is really back,” one of the security guards in a maroon jumpsuit said, trying to peek inside the car.

“She’s quite unfortunate. Her grandma sure put her into a lot of trouble,” the second guard replied, pressing a green button to close the gates after the convoy entered.

“What do you mean, unfortunate? If I had a grandma who left me a fortune, do you think I’d be working here?” The first guard snorted. The pay as a security guard at the Rose resident was good, but nothing compared to Calla’s inheritance.

His colleague smacked his head, and he jumped, annoyed. “Why’d you hit me?” he grumbled, rubbing his head.

“Is money really more important than life? The kid spent a year in the hospital and lost her memories, and you call her fortunate? If anything… her grandma just made her life miserable.”

—

The car stopped in front of the main building—Old Woman Rose’s house. Aiden got out quickly, as if he’d been suffocating and needed air.

Luna watched him slam the door and join his men. She rubbed her palms together and looked out. A crowd had gathered in front of the main building, waiting for her.

Cecile placed a steadying hand on Luna’s shoulder. “Everything will be fine, dear. I won’t fail you,” she promised silently. She wouldn’t let her relatives hurt Luna, she won't fail Luna—like she had failed her own daughter.

“Don’t worry about me, Mom. I’ll be fine,” Luna whispered in return, just as the car door opened. She looked up and met Raymond’s gentle gaze. He smiled and reached for her.

Luna took his hand and stepped out, leaning into his embrace as he kissed her forehead. “Welcome home, daughter.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She shifted her gaze to her so-called relatives, recognizing some from photos.

The woman in the long black gown and black lipstick—as if attending a funeral—was her aunt Emily. At 48, Emily had chosen to stay in her mother’s house even after marriage, insisting her kids keep the Rose surname.

Her children, Talia and Ridget, stood beside her.

Next, Luna’s eyes found her uncle Damien, 50, who had handled the Rose family business after their father’s death. He’d married Amanda, the daughter of a local officer, who now stood beside her husband.

Their children, Romeo and Serge, were next to them.

A cluster of men in suits stood to the side—Old Woman Rose’s legal team, Luna assumed, here to welcome her.

“Remember, dear, you don’t remember any of them,” Raymond reminded her quietly, ruffling her hair. “You lost your memories.”

Luna nodded, closing her eyes. All she could see was Calla—hurting, struggling to speak, desperate for her relatives to pay. Luna was here to make sure of that.

Emily took a few steps forward and stopped next to Amanda. “Did that kid really survive such a terrible accident?”

They still couldn’t believe Calla was alive and healthy, even after a truck had crushed her car.

Amanda maintained her smile. “It seems so. Trust me, Mama must have chased her from the world of the dead and sent her back,” she replied sarcastically. Her mother-in-law was bent on making their lives a living hell.

“I heard she lost her memory, so it won’t be hard to convince her to let us manage the company. She’s just a kid, with a life ahead of her,” Amanda added, and Emily chuckled.

“Guess it’s time for me to use my talent.”

Emily hurried over, dabbing at imaginary tears. “Oh, my dear niece, my dear Calla is back!”

But to her surprise, Luna moved behind Cecile, refusing Emily’s embrace. Emily’s brows knitted together as she looked at Cecile for an explanation.

“Uh…the kid doesn’t remember anyone, so she’s just a little scared,” Cecile explained.

“But she remembered you,” Emily muttered under her breath, then laughed out loud. “That’s right, that’s right… Aunt Emily isn’t upset at all.”

Luna peeked at Emily from behind Cecile. Emily smiled sweetly at her. “There’s time. We’ll get to know each other. You’ll remember you were my favorite niece and I, your favorite aunty. We used to share so many secrets,” she whispered, leaning in.

Amanda rolled her eyes and stepped forward. “Hello Calla dear, I’m your aunt Amanda. I used to appear on your blogs, remember?”

Luna shook her head. Amanda laughed awkwardly. “It’s fine. Come, let me introduce you to everyone,” she said, reaching for Luna’s hand, but Luna stepped back.

“She’s tired now,” Cecile said, holding Luna’s hand. “Come, dear. You should rest first. I’ll introduce you to everyone later, okay?”

Luna nodded, and they started to walk away, but she paused, staring at the main building. She pointed at it. “Mom, I want to live here.”

Cecile looked at her in disbelief. Even the relatives were surprised.

After Old Woman Rose’s death, Damien and his family had moved into the main building. Cecile had told Luna this, but she never expected Luna to ask for it.

“Uh… our house is down that way,” Cecile said, pointing to the second building on the left. But Luna shook her head, her eyes glassy with tears.

“I just feel like this house is important to me. I know I don’t remember anything, but my feelings can’t be wrong, right?”

Raymond nodded gently. “That’s true, child. This building belonged to your grandmother.”

Damien, silent until now, frowned at his brother and Luna. The kid had just arrived and already wanted to throw them out?

“Calla dear,” Amanda approached. “This used to be Mama’s house, but after she passed, it’s only normal that the oldest child moves in. That’s why your uncle Damien lives here now.”

A tear slipped down Luna’s cheek. She tried to hold it back. “I’m sorry, aunt. I feel bad for forgetting about Grandma. My mom told me how close we were, and I just want to feel close to her memories.” She rubbed her palms together and glanced at the legal team, quietly observing.

The youngest lawyer looked to be in his forties. They all carried themselves with the calm authority of professionals loyal to Old Woman Rose. With her gone, Calla was now their new boss.

Amanda glanced at her husband and children, all wearing frowns, then plastered on a smile and turned to Calla. “There are lots of bedrooms, so you can have one. We’re family after all.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt. I don’t know you well, and I wouldn’t be comfortable staying under the same roof as everyone,” Luna replied, clinging to Raymond’s arm. “Dad, can’t we move in here? I really love it.”

Raymond smiled nervously, glancing at his siblings, who all looked displeased.

John Oven, the oldest member of the legal team, stepped forward. “Hello, Miss Rose. I’m John Oven, part of the Rose family legal team,” he introduced gently. Luna nodded, tears still on her cheeks.

John remembered how much Old Woman Rose had loved her granddaughter. He wouldn’t let her cry if he could help it. “If you want to live here, no one can object. The entire residence belongs to you,” he said firmly. Amanda clenched her fists.

But Luna still looked uncertain. She pointed at Amanda. “But my aunt says I can’t.”

“Who is she?” John’s voice rang out. “She’s just a daughter-in-law. Apart from you, no one has any right to these properties. If you want this building, you should stay here.”

Luna wiped her tears and stepped closer to Amanda. She took Amanda’s hand. “I’m sorry, Aunt. I didn’t realize anyone lived there, so I asked. If it’s already occupied, I don’t mind.”

Amanda forced a smile and glanced at John, who glared at her. She cleared her throat and turned to the maids. “Transfer our things back to our place. Clean the house and move Miss Calla’s things carefully,” she ordered, then smiled at Calla. “Are you satisfied, dear?”

Luna nodded, a gentle smile on her face. “I don’t remember much, but I’m sure you must have been my favorite aunt.”