Chapter 2 Back to Hawthorne Mansion

Chapter 2 Back to Hawthorne Mansion

The next day, Aria drove to the Hawthorne Mansion after seeing Alaric off to work. However, before getting out of the car, Alaric held back her hand, which made her turned to him directly.

"What's wrong?"

Alaric was silent for a moment before starting to speak. "Thalia just got back from Paris. If you see her, you should avoid what she says as much as possible."

For a moment Aria was silent, it was unusual for Alaric to say something like this to her. "I know how to handle it."

After that Aria actually got out of the car. In front, a middle-aged man stood waiting for her. The butler, Mr. Harley Jordan, greeted her with a smile.

"You're finally back, young madam. Madam has been asking about you these days."

Aria got out of the car and responded with a smile. "How is she? I miss Mom's cooking a lot as I've been away for a month. That's why I'm rushing back."

Mr. Jordan chuckled. "She's in good health. She's bored sometimes, as both master and young master are busy with work."

"Mom won't be bored now that I'm back."

Aria stepped into the house, with stiletto heels clicking with every step. Located halfway up the hillside, the Hawthorne' mansion villa covered a vast area of over a thousand hectares. As for the Hawthorne family members, it was quite simple. Mrs. Elowen Hawthorne had a son and a daughter. Her son was Alaric and her daughter was Thalia. Mrs. Hawthorne was in her sixties, but thanks to her extensive skincare routine, she resembled a woman in her early forties.

Apart from Thalia's prejudice against Aria, the Hawthorne' family was wonderful to her, especially Elowen. She treated Aria as she did her daughter. However, she didn't know that her son and Aria's marriage was based on a contract. Because when Alaric brought Aria into his family, Aria was introduced as the woman he officially married without any contractual reasons.

Aria loathed parting with Elowen even after the divorce. Elowen didn't have the usual arrogance often seen in wealthy women. She was easy-going, dignified, and magnanimous. Talking to her was as natural as breathing fresh air. It seemed a pity that she would part with the woman she had come to regard as her own mother. Because in the Hawthorne family, Elowen was the only one who considered her to exist.

"Mom," Aria called out sweetly to the woman sitting on the sofa.

The woman wore delicate makeup and a simple yet elegant dress.

Seeing that it was Aria, Elowen smiled courteously and said, "You're back, Aria dear! Come and sit beside me."

Aria walked over and snuggled next to Elowen on the sofa.

Elowen looked at her from head to toe and said, "Why are you getting thinner?"

"That's because I didn't get to eat your cooking and was starved."

Delighted by her sweet words, Elowen laughed. "I'll cook some of your favorite dishes later for you to make up for the weight loss."

"You're the best, Mom," Aria said pleasantly, as if she were Elowen's biological daughter.

"You're far beyond the age of kissing up. You make me sick," a sickly sweet female voice called, and Aria knew who it was without turning her head.

"Thalia, she's your sister-in-law. How can you say that?" Elowen asked with a frown.

Thalia snorted coldly, and said, "How is she my sister-in-law? She's just a woman bought by my brother."

Elowen's expression darkened visibly as she frowned. "Thalia, stop talking like that or you will regret it."

Thalia sat down and crossed her arms with a huff.

Rather than get angry, Aria smiled at her sister-in-law. "Thalia, I heard from Alaric that you went to Paris. When did you get back?"

To avoid Elowen's wrath, Thalia replied reluctantly. "The day before yesterday." She smiled as if thinking of something pleasant, gloated, and continued in a sadistic tone. "Sister-in-law, do you know who I saw in Paris?"

Aria became instantly alert. Thalia only addressed her as "sister-in-law" when she had wicked ideas brewing in her mind.

"Your friend?" Aria asked tentatively.

"I bumped into Selene. Sister-in-law, you know who she is, right?" Thalia asked excitedly. "No, of course you don't know her. She is no other than the ex-"

Throwing her a deadly stare, Elowen interrupted. "Thalia, what on earth are you talking about?"

Shrugging, Thalia responded, "Mom, I'll be outside taking a walk. The air here is too stale because of someone's presence."

Before anyone could respond, Thalia walked out as if there was no one else in the room.

Elowen sighed and turned to Aria. "Aria, don t mind her. Thalia was just too spoiled by us."

Aria smiled. "Thalia is only in her early twenties. It's normal for women to be rebellious at that age."

Elowen patted Aria's hand, feeling more affectionate toward her. "Aria, you're far too kind. Please don't take what Thalia said to hear. As for Selene, you can act as if she doesn't exist."

Aria wasn't stupid enough to ask who Selene was and thought it best to avoid the subject. "We are a family, Mom. I won't let Thalia's words bother me." Aria said, even though she knew the so-called "family" would soon fall apart.

"I always knew you were a sweet girl," Elowen said, growing even more fond of Aria after hearing her reply.

Aria chatted with Elowen for the entire morning and joined her for lunch. Elowen was a little tired in the afternoon and went to take a naр. So Aria took the opportunity to go outside for a walk, and Thalia followed her.

"Aria, don t assume that just because my mother likes you, you can become my sister-in-law forever. My brother always has Selene on his mind. Don't count your chickens before they hatch," Thalia mocked her.

Aria shot her an elegant glance and replied with a smile. "Thalia, I don't know who you are talking about. Don't forget, I'm still your brother's wife. As long as we're together, I'm still your sister-in-law. I suggest you mind your words."

Thalia looked at Aria mockingly and sneered. "My sister-in-law? I dont think you'll hold that title for much longer. Only my mother is kind enough to treat someone like you as a daughter-in-law. You have nothing at all."

After a parse, Thalia continued. "A Cinderella like you shouldn't dream of marrying into a wealthy family. If you divorce my brother now, you may still get considerable compensation. If you wait too long, you'll end up with nothing."

Aria's smile deepened as Thalia spoke. "Thank you for your reminder. I considered divorcing your brother at first. But now. I believe i've changed my mind."

Aria turned to walk back to the house, her steps light.