Chapter 393 An Unexpected Reunion

Chapter 393: Chapter 393 An Unexpected Reunion

The news caught Alicia completely off guard.

She hadn’t even considered this possibility.

A man like Ryan wasn’t the type to drift aimlessly after a divorce. If he’d made up his mind to end a marriage, his next relationship would almost certainly be carefully considered and with someone who matched him in every way.

But she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

The last time she’d seen Ryan on the cruise, his attitude toward her had already been noticeably colder.

He wasn’t the sort of man who played around with women, either.

That realization left Alicia strangely unsettled.

She stood there for a long time, staring at the floor, worrying her lower lip between her teeth.

Ryan was really going to marry someone else?

And so soon?

*****

As soon as Grace’s meeting ended, she hurried over to find Rose.

Rose and James had silently agreed not to bring up what had happened with Victoria and Alicia—or the decision to remove the flowering trees.

Rose had originally planned to spend only a little time with Grace.

Instead, Grace immediately pulled a folder from her bag and placed it in front of her.

“The transfer documents are ready,” she said. “I’ll have everything finalized as quickly as possible.”

Rose looked down at the papers.

Grace continued before she could object.

“I told you this estate was yours, and I meant it. Besides, it’s what your grandfather wanted.”

There was such certainty in her voice that Rose didn’t know what to say.

Grace knew Rose might refuse, so she brought up her grandfather again.

“The old man spent his entire life regretting that he lost you. This is one thing he made sure would be yours.”

Rose lowered her eyes.

After everything she’d learned today, she couldn’t deny that her grandparents had genuinely loved her.

They had lost her.

They had suffered because of it.

And now they were trying, in the only ways they could, to make up for all those lost years.

Rose was quiet for a while before finally saying, “There are still things I haven’t figured out.”

Grace listened.

“I don’t want to accept everything you’re offering just because you expect me to come back to the family. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”

She looked up.

“Let me think about it. Once I’ve made up my mind, we’ll talk again. Okay?”

If today’s events hadn’t happened, perhaps she wouldn’t have hesitated so much.

But watching Victoria and Alicia together had changed something inside her.

She’d realized just how complicated returning to this family could be.

Grace tried to respond several times, but eventually sighed.

“All right.”

Her voice was gentle.

“Grandma knows you’re a good kid. You don’t have to make a decision today.”

She pushed the documents back toward herself.

“The estate is already included in your grandfather’s will. It’s included in mine, too. One day, it will be yours regardless.”

Rose stared at her.

Grace wasn’t asking her to prove anything.

She wasn’t demanding that Rose acknowledge Derick.

She wasn’t even asking for anything in return.

She was simply giving her something because she believed it belonged to her.

For the first time in a long while, Rose felt something warm settle in her chest.

She’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be genuinely cherished by family.

Not because she was useful.

Not because someone needed something from her.

Just because she was theirs.

Rose stayed for lunch with Grace and James.

Halfway through the meal, Derick arrived with Victoria and the others.

The moment Rose saw them, an inexplicable tension settled over her.

Then her phone rang.

It was Diana.

“Are you free this afternoon?”

Diana sounded unusually cheerful.

“Come out with me. There’s a party tonight, and I want you there. It’ll be fun.”

Rose almost felt as though she’d been handed an escape route.

“Sure.”

She didn’t even ask where.

“Send me the time and address.”

She hung up.

At that exact moment, Derick was walking toward their table.

Rose immediately stood.

“I have to go.”

She turned toward Grace.

“I’ll come visit another day.”

Grace knew perfectly well that Rose was avoiding Derick.

She gave Derick a cool look before saying to Rose, “All right. Be careful.”

Rose nodded and walked away.

Derick remained where he was.

His lips pressed into a thin line.

He wanted to say something.

But once again, he didn’t know what.

*****

Rose had barely gotten into the car when someone hurried after her.

Alicia tapped gently on the window.

Rose lowered it.

“What is it?”

Alicia hesitated.

“Rose... are you upset with me?”

Rose frowned slightly.

“For what?”

“For not telling you the truth.”

Rose understood immediately.

Alicia was talking about her relationship to Victoria and Derick.

Rose’s expression remained calm.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t mean to hide it.”

Alicia quickly shook her head.

“I just really wanted to get along with you. I was afraid you’d hate me if you knew.”

Her voice became quieter.

“I know I’m adopted, and I was scared that would make you look at me differently. I didn’t know whether you’d even want me as a sister.”

Rose studied her.

James had already told her that Alicia was adopted.

And now, looking at the anxiety in Alicia’s eyes, Rose suddenly thought of something simple.

No one gets to choose where they come from.

“I don’t blame you,” Rose said.

Alicia’s eyes widened.

“And I don’t hate you.”

“Really?”

The relief on Alicia’s face was immediate.

Then she noticed Rose checking her phone.

“Where are you going?”

Rose glanced at the time.

“A friend invited me out.”

Alicia hesitated before asking, “Can I come?”

Rose looked at her.

Alicia’s expression was hopeful but cautious.

“I’d like to spend more time with you.”

Rose pressed her lips together.

This was awkward.

If she’d known Alicia would ask, she would have claimed she had work to finish.

But she’d already said she was meeting a friend.

And Alicia hadn’t actually done anything wrong.

Refusing her now would make Rose seem unnecessarily cruel.

“Fine.”

She unlocked the door.

“Get in.”

Alicia’s face immediately brightened.

It was only a party.

Once they arrived, they could each do their own thing.

*****

The address Diana had sent was for an exclusive villa club.

Their social circle often rented private estates for parties. It offered more privacy than a restaurant or nightclub, and no one had to worry about strangers taking pictures.

By the time Rose arrived, it was almost seven.

Diana came outside to meet her.

She’d been wearing a huge smile until she noticed Alicia stepping out behind Rose.

Diana leaned closer and whispered, “You two are getting along that well already?”

There was a tiny hint of jealousy in her voice.

Rose couldn’t help laughing.

She reached over and pinched Diana’s cheek.

“Don’t make assumptions. I’ll explain everything later.”

Diana cleared her throat.

“Fine. Let’s go inside.”

She wasn’t particularly warm toward Alicia.

After all, Alicia was part of the Taylor family—and technically closer to Rose by blood than Diana was.

Diana had always been protective of her friendship with Rose.

She’d had Rose to herself for years.

Alicia, meanwhile, looked around the property with obvious curiosity.

Rose barely noticed.

Her attention was on Diana.

Her friend hadn’t stopped smiling since she’d arrived.

Every few minutes, she hummed under her breath like she was in an exceptionally good mood.

Rose raised an eyebrow.

“What’s going on with you?”

Diana gave her a playful look.

“Liam Mercer is here.”

Rose immediately understood.

“Oh.”

The boyfriend Diana had been with for six years.

Rose had only met him a handful of times. She knew he’d spent several years studying overseas and had worked in hedge funds before returning to the U.S. a couple of years ago.

Diana’s smile grew even wider.

“His friends organized the party tonight.”

Rose smiled faintly.

Then her expression slowly changed.

Mercer.

Her mind immediately went to Charlotte.

Alicia caught the name too.

“The Mercer family?”

She looked at Diana.

“Which Mercer family?”

There was a prominent Mercer family in Washington, D.C., and another in Boston.

Diana opened her mouth to answer.

But before she could say anything, a loud voice came from the crowd nearby.

“Mr. Knight! We’re honored you could make it tonight!”

Another voice followed.

“Miss Mercer, did you come with Mr. Knight?”

Rose, Alicia, and Diana all turned toward the commotion.

A small crowd had already gathered around two people.

Rose’s smile disappeared completely.

She recognized Ryan immediately.

And standing beside him—

Charlotte.

Alicia’s gaze landed on Charlotte as well.

Her expression changed the instant she saw the woman.

The same woman who had been introduced to Ryan as his potential match earlier that day.

She was here.

With him.