Chapter 97 Cloak
The flight home was smooth, the hum of the engines almost lulling Lena to sleep. Yet her eyes drifted, again and again, to Margarete. Every time she looked, her mind replayed fragments of the phone conversation she had overheard, the rawness in Margarete's voice refusing to leave her.
But Margarete herself was unreadable. After coming down to join them, she had slipped back into her usual poise as though nothing had happened. Sophie had teased her, laughing about how she probably wanted to stay back in Paris. Margarete only smiled, answering with the same grace and warmth she always carried.
To anyone else, it might have looked perfectly ordinary. To Lena, it said everything. Pain had carved its way through Margarete's life so deeply that she had learned to wear composure like a second skin. She was a master at tucking away her hurt, at dressing sorrow in smiles.
And for the first time, Lena felt the weight of that truth and a quiet ache for the woman sitting across from her
.Just before boarding, her phone lit up with Ethan's name. His voice carried that clipped edge she had come to recognize the moment she told him their stay might be extended.
"You've had enough days there, Lena," he said firmly. "You're coming back. Don't make me call my mother."
Lena couldn't help it, she laughed, the sound spilling out before she could stop herself. On the other end, he went silent, as if thrown off balance by her reaction.
"I'm having a good time, Ethan," she said gently, still smiling. "And I'd really love to stay a little longer."
A pause stretched between them, thick with his irritation. Finally, his sigh broke through. "Fine," he muttered. "But don't make a habit of this."
She hung up with a small grin tugging at her lips, amused at how easily her laughter had softened him,even if he'd never admit it.
After what felt like forever, they finally touched down in Melbourne. As they stepped off the plane, Lena's eyes widened at the sight that greeted them, a line of sleek cars waiting on the tarmac, a small army of maids and staff already assembled, ready to take over every detail of their return.
Paris had spoiled them with its luxury, but nothing compared to the way home opened its arms. Here, they weren't just treated well, they were treated like royalty.
Lena felt a tug of conflicting emotions as she walked alongside Margarete and Sophie. She thought of her own life before all of this, standing in long queues, dragging heavy bags, managing everything by herself. That ordinary rhythm felt like a world away now. Because somewhere along the line, she had grown used to this life of effortless ease: skipping protocols, handing her luggage over without a thought, never once waiting in line.
It was a good life, she had to admit.
As they made their way out, Sophie slipped to Lena's side and looped her arms around her. "You know," she said with a playful smile, "I really enjoyed having you with us. It made the trip so much more exciting. Usually, it's just me and Mother."
Lena's cheeks warmed. "This was the best trip I've ever been on in my life," she admitted shyly.
Her words must have carried, because Margarete's soft laughter joined Sophie's. "You'll get used to it soon enough," Margarete teased. "After all, you're a Sinclair now."
Sophie beamed at that, hugging Lena's arm tightly. "I'm glad my brother picked you. Truly. I've never had a sister, so I've always looked forward to bonding with Ethan's wife. But..." She wrinkled her nose a little. "I never liked the girls he usually chose. They weren't" She hesitated, then finished with a smile, "they weren't you. I'm just glad he finally ended up with someone who carries such a warm, welcoming aura."
Lena felt her cheeks burn deeper than ever, her blush giving her away. Margarete's smile softened as she said, almost dreamily, "Soon it will be a family trip with you, Ethan, and my grandchildren."
The sincerity in her tone caught Lena off guard. She could hear the longing behind those words, the quiet desire for the kind of family bond Margarete had always wished for with Ethan and now hoped to reclaim through his children.
"You're flattering me too much," Lena said with a shy smile, trying to mask the heat rushing to her face.
Margarete shook her head gently. "I don't flatter, Lena. I only speak the truth. You are truly different, and that is what makes you unique."
Lena's blush deepened until she could barely meet their eyes. Sophie laughed lightly, looping her arm through Lena's once more as the three of them carried on chatting, their conversation flowing easily even as staff bustled around them, loading and arranging the luggage.
By the time the last bag was secured, the evening air had settled cool and calm around them. Sophie gave a few instructions, ensuring Lena's belongings were placed in a different car since she would be heading in another direction. Soon, everything was ready.
The trio shared warm goodbyes, lingering a little longer than necessary, reluctant to part after the closeness of their trip. They made sure Lena was seated comfortably before stepping into their own car. As the doors shut and the vehicles pulled away, Lena watched them go with a quiet smile, the warmth of their affection still wrapped around her like a cloak.
As her car pulled away, Lena sat back against the seat, a tangle of emotions rising within her. She had never known what it was like to have a sister, nor the warmth of a mother's embrace. All she'd truly had was her late father ,and when he was gone, it often felt like the world had left her to stand alone.
The feeling of belonging was strange, almost unfamiliar, as though she had stepped into a life she was never meant to touch. Yet the love and affection she had just received from Margarete and Sophie clung to her like sunlight. For once, the loneliness that usually shadowed her heart gave way to something softer, something brighter.
But just as she was about to bask fully in that warmth, reality tugged her back. This was only for a short while, a fleeting glimpse into a life she could never truly claim. Sooner or later, she would return to her quiet, cold world alone again.
The thought dimmed her smile, yet the memory of their affection lingered, glowing softly in her heart like a candle she wasn't ready to let go of.
She pushed the thought aside and let her smile return. There was no need to weigh herself down with what would come later. When her contract with Ethan ended, she would walk away, back to her ordinary, quiet life.
But for now, she wasn't going to ruin it with worries. For now, she would let herself enjoy every bit of this world she had been pulled into, even if it wasn't hers to keep.
The car turned into the long stretch of road ahead, and Lena let her eyes flutter shut. For tonight, the weight of loneliness was gone. All that remained was the warmth of borrowed affection.