Chapter 293 What comes after

Chapter 293 What comes after
Isabel’s POV

It’s been a month.

I stand quietly by the doorway of Aurora’s room, leaning on the frame as I watch her in front of the mirror. Her face is soft, glowing, with excitement she’s trying so hard to suppress blooming right beneath the surface. She smooths her dress one more time, tilting her head left, then right, deciding whether to pull her hair back or let it fall around her shoulders.

I clear my throat.

Aurora turns sharply, startled, then sighs when she sees me. “Seriously?” she mutters, though there’s a smile tugging at her lips.

I step in, arms folded, eyes trailing from the way her dress hugs her to the sparkle in her eyes. “You’re not fooling anyone,” I say, my voice teasing.

She lifts her chin with a dramatic flick. “I’m not trying to.”

I smirk and lift my phone, turning the screen toward her. It’s a photo from the recent commercial shoot—her and Richard, laughing in mid-shot, completely unaware of the camera. “People are commenting like crazy about this picture,” I say. “Some are even betting there’s something more going on between you two. So tell me… is this dinner just casual, or…?”

I let the question hang, watching her closely.

Aurora’s eyes flicker away. “Come on, sis,” she says, brushing an invisible speck off her vanity. “It’s just an appreciation dinner. Nothing more. Just to thank him for, you know… being there. Taking care of me while I was in the hospital.”

Her voice is soft. Shy. Like she knows she’s not convincing me.

“Mmhmm,” I nod slowly, grinning. “So just appreciation, huh?”

She spins around, pointing a finger at me. “Besides! You’re the one who got me that shoot and made me do it, remember?”

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “Okay, yes, guilty. But that’s only because I didn’t want you missing the chance to finally showcase your modeling skills. And you were perfect for the role.”

I tap my phone gently. “Plus, the friend in business handling the project? Well, turns out I brought you and Richard together. You should be thanking me.”

She coughs, eyes scanning the room like there’s a secret exit somewhere. “Okay, okay, sis. But I’ve got to go, alright?”

She grabs her bag from the table, practically sprints for the door.

“Aurora!” I call, following her out. “You still owe me full gist about the shoot! And now dinner? That’s two!”

She just laughs, rushing down the hallway. Scarlett and Sterling jump up from the couch when they see her.

“Aunt Aurora, you look so pretty!” they sing in chorus, dancing around her.

She kisses each of them on the forehead, then waves at our mom before she even has time to say a word, and bolts out the door with a grin.

I stop beside my mom, both of us watching the door swing shut behind her. “Wow,” I say, shaking my head. “She just ran off like that.”

Mom laughs softly. “Just let your sister be. She didn’t want to be late.”

Then Scarlett speaks, slowly, like she’s sharing a secret. “Yes, mom. Aunt Aurora must be tired of you disturbing her already.”

I turn, mouth falling open. “Wow. Everyone’s on Aurora’s side now?”

Sterling nods solemnly. “She’s the pretty one today.”

I put a hand to my chest dramatically. “I’ve been betrayed.”

They all laugh. Mom pats my arm.

Then the front door opens.

“Isabel,” a deep, warm voice calls.

I turn and see him—my father. His smile is bright, soft lines around his eyes, familiar and steady. My heart lifts.

But then another figure steps up beside him.

Joe.

The man who raised me. The first man I ever called Dad. The one who’d held my hand through my worst nights. The one who loved me like his own.

I freeze.

“Dad?” My voice cracks.

He steps closer, and I rush into his arms, burying myself in the warmth I’ve missed for so long. Tears spill down my cheeks as I whisper again, “Dad…”

His hand strokes my back gently, just like he always used to. “Bel,” he says, using the name only he ever called me.

I pull back, my eyes scanning his face, aged and kind. “I can’t believe I’m seeing you again. How have you been?”

He nods, smiling through the emotion welling in his eyes. A single tear slips out, and I quickly wipe it away, holding his hand.

I glance at my mother and father.

They’re both watching us. Quiet. Gentle smiles on their faces, like they’re giving me permission to just feel everything I’m feeling.

I smile back at them, then lower my gaze to Scarlett and Sterling, who are watching with confusion, their heads tilted.

Later, we stand together in front of Celyn Thompson’s tomb.

The woman who raised me. Saved me. Took my place when Cynthia and her mother tried to end me. Joe’s wife. My second mother.

Joe kneels down, wiping the dust gently off the gravestone with his hand. “How have you been, my dear wife?” he says softly. “I’ve missed you so much. I know you’ve missed me too.”

He pauses, swallowing, his hand shaking as he sets his flowers aside. Tears brim in his eyes.

I reach for him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He glances up, nods, then looks back at the tomb. “I’m not alone this time,” he says. “I’m here with our daughter, Isabel. And her two beautiful children. Our Bel is doing a lot better now. She’s back with her family. I made sure of that. And now that I’ve finally seen her… and held the children… I think I can finally join you in peace.”

“I did what I promised you,” he whispers. “I found her. And I brought her home.”

We each take turns laying flowers down—Scarlett first, then Sterling, then me.

As we walk away, Scarlett pipes up, her voice full of cheerful innocence. “Aren’t we lucky, Mom? We have two grandfathers!”

“And we got to visit our other grandmother today too!” Sterling adds proudly.

Their words drift in the air like tiny sparks of light.

A soft smile spreads across my face, and for just a moment, the sadness lifts. Just a little.

Then my phone buzzes in my hand.

A message lights up the screen:

Can me see?