My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

I nodded, knowing that Nerissa was being considerate. Besides, I was indeed a little tired.

There weren't many people in the cafe, making the environment extra cozy and welcoming. Nerissa sat me down at an empty table, and she went to order coffee for us.

Then, she returned to the table, looked at me, and she began to ask, "Arianna, can you tell me more about Hendrix and you? I'll be honest with you, I used to often go back to Ucrebury to see him in secret, but he never wanted to see me. He even went as far as to avoid me. Hendrix has always been this aloof... Until the last time, he came to Jarold City. You don't know how happy I was when he came to tell me that he's taking you here for a few days."

Nerissa seemed to be reminded of something painful as she looked visibly hurt. She continued, "I thought that I had been abandoned by my family for the rest of my life. So, I'm really glad that Hendrix is willing to come to visit me, and he's even bringing you with him!"

Her eyes were now brimming with

tears. Seeing that, I flustered and soothed, "The Roberts won't leave you behind, Aunt Nerissa. We welcome you whenever you're ready to come home."

She looked at me and pulled a bitter smile. "But it has been so many years... Father won't want to see me."

tugged at the mention of

and asked, "Grandpa had passed away a few

her coffee cup. She looked at me in disbelief, "What did

it seemed like she didn't know it. For a brief moment, I didn't know how to respond. My heart jumped hard against my chest when I saw the state she was in. Nerissa lowered her head and

past few years. And he died of colorectal cancer at the end of last year. He-" Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

in her hand. She crouched down in a panic to pick the shattered pieces, but the worker at the cafe had already come forward to clean the

apologized repeatedly in a trembling voice, "I'm sorry... I'm really

her head and replied, "It's all right.

Dalton too. After the episode, Nerissa was quick to recompose herself. After all, she was still a woman of good-manner, and the cafe was a public space. A lady needed to be poised at all times, or at least in public eyes. However, she was no longer as calm as she had been when we sat down at the table. Even if she was smiling, it was unconvincing. "Aunt Nerissa, maybe we

suggested. I didn't suppose Nerissa would still be

expected, she nodded. "Yes, of course. Let's go. You're probably tired after a day of walking. You should go home and rest." Then,

the cafe door, and I almost ran

things came