Chapter 106

Chapter 106
Raven's POV

The drive to the Johnes estate was quieter than I expected. The silence wasn't uncomfortable. It wasn't filled with regret or uncertainty. Instead, it felt warm, like the first rays of sunlight after weeks of rain. Mrs. Johnes sat beside me in the back seat, stealing glances every few seconds as though she feared I would disappear if she looked away for too long. Each time our eyes met, she'd smile. Not the polite smile strangers exchanged. It was softer it felt like peace, like home.

The word mother and father still felt foreign in my mind because I had never experienced it. For years I'd watched other children run into their parents' arms while I pretended I didn't care. I'd convinced myself I was strong enough to live without ever hearing someone call me their daughter.

Now, life had proven me wrong. "You've gone quiet," Mrs. Johnes whispered. I laughed nervously."I'm just... trying to believe this is real." Her fingers immediately found mine.

"It is my dear, you are our Mayra, our beautiful little girl." she kisses my knuckels softly, ‘my mom’ I say to myself not believing it. I look at her face, full of light, her wrinkles started showing. A wave of sadness hits me, I could have had a different life if only I had grown up with them by my side. But its never too late. Across from us, Mr. Johnes looked over his shoulder with gentle eyes.I also need to learn their names too but I’m afraid to ask. 

"And from today onward, you'll never have to doubt that again." mrs Johnes adds, The tightness in my chest returned. Happy tears were strange, they hurt just as much as sad ones.

...

Nearly an hour later, iron gates slowly swung open before us.

Beyond them stood a breathtaking estate surrounded by ancient trees and flowering gardens. It wasn't simply a mansion. It looked like a place lifted from a dream. Stone pathways curved between fountains. Rows of roses stretched farther than I could see. Servants paused in their work as the car approached. By the time we stopped, nearly everyone had gathered outside. I hadnt been able to look at the place keenly the last time we came for dinner. I freeze for a moment and mrs. Johnes squeezes my hand warmly.

"Don't be frightened." she says, I smile. Before I could respond, the front door opened. A tall man in his late twenties hurried down the steps. Dark hair, kind amber eyes, rolled-up sleeves covered his muscular forearms as though he'd been working when he heard we had arrived.

"There you are," he said, smiling at Mr. Johnes before his gaze shifted towards me and stopped briefly. His smile slowly faded into silent disbelief. He quickly lowered his eyes. 

"I'm sorry," he said, clearing his throat. "Welcome home." Home, that single word struck harder than anything else that had happened today. Mr. Johnes rested a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Raven, this is Adrian."

"He's been with our family for almost ten years," Mrs. Johnes added fondly. "Sometimes I think he works harder than your father."

Mr. Johnes chuckled. "I heard that." Adrian laughed softly.

"I've tried to retire, sir. You won't let me."

Despite the easy conversation, I noticed something. He wasn't looking directly at me anymore. Almost as if he was deliberately keeping his distance. Something about that made me curious.

"It's nice to meet you," I said. His eyes lifted briefly.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Raven." Miss Raven. There was respect in his voice.

The house was even more beautiful inside. Every hallway held framed family photographs. Elegant chandeliers hung overhead. Fresh flowers filled every room with a sweet fragrance. Mrs. Johnes proudly showed me everything as though she'd been waiting years for this moment. "This is your father's study…the music room…the library…Oh! We'll spend hours in here together." She sounded so excited that I couldn't stop smiling.

For the first time, I wasn't visiting someone else's home. I belonged here and I hoped nothing would change. Eventually, we climbed the grand staircase. Mrs. Johnes stopped before a pair of white double doors ,She glanced at my father and he nodded.

With trembling fingers, she pushed the doors open. I couldn't breathe, the room was beautiful. Sunlight spilled through floor-to-ceiling windows dressed in soft ivory curtains. Shelves lined one wall, already filled with novels. Fresh flowers stood on a polished table, and a balcony overlooked the gardens. The colors were warm, calming nothing extravagant, just welcoming.

"This..." I whispered, "...it's beautiful." Mrs. Johnes smiled through shining eyes.

"We hoped one day our daughter would come home.” My heart skipped.

"Daughter." She crossed the room and opened a wardrobe. Inside hung dresses, sweaters, and coats in every shade I loved.

"I wasn't sure about your size," she admitted with a nervous laugh. "So I may have guessed a little." I stared at her.

"You... bought all of these?"

"A mother dreams about dressing her little girl," she said quietly. "I just happened to do it twenty-three years late." That was it. The tears I'd been holding back finally escaped. I rushed across the room and threw my arms around her. She hugged me so tightly that I wondered if she'd ever let go.

"I've got you now," she whispered into my hair. "No more loneliness. No more wondering where you belong."