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."

heart tugged at the

looked at her and asked, "Grandpa had passed away a few months ago, Aunt Nerissa. Don't you know

cup. She looked at

know how to respond. My heart jumped hard against my chest when I saw the state she was in. Nerissa lowered her head and took a deep breath. When she looked

of colorectal cancer at the end of last year. He-" Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

in a panic to pick the shattered

trembling voice,

"It's all right. I just need to clean

a safer place. I didn't know how to comfort her, and for some reason, I had a feeling that she wasn't only apologizing to the worker. The apology was for 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

still be

tired after a day of walking. You should go home and rest." Then,

attention to the front. However, she abruptly stopped before the cafe door, and I almost ran

came