HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 38: Eternal Union

A jewelry box?

Ayana furrowed her brows in confusion. Matt wanted to give her a jewelry box? Why?

"Matt..." she started, prepared to turn down the gift without hesitation. But, as if sensing her refusal, he quickly interjected.

"It’s from Axel."

".....!" Ayana froze, her surprise evident at the mention of Axel’s name.

"He wanted you to have this."

After a moment of hesitation, Ayana reached out, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the box as she accepted it. She looked down, her eyes scrunching slightly once more at the sight.

From Axel?

He gave her a jewelry box? Why?

If this were to be from Matt, Ayana would have rejected the gift without hesitation. However, it was different if the jewelry box came from Axel.

He was her fiancé, and there was nothing weird about accepting a gift from the one who might become her future husband.

’’Well, open it up, Ayana. Axel mentioned that I should give this to you personally.’’

Ayana glanced up at Matt, who seemed quite eager than the receiver of the gift. She took a steadying breath and lifted the lid of the jewelry box. Her eyes instantly widened as her gaze fell upon the necklace nestled inside—a delicate pendant crafted into the shape of a peony. The petals were adorned with tiny, shimmering stones, each one catching the light and casting a soft glow.

"Whoa. I get it now." Matt murmured, letting out a low whistle at the sight of the necklace. "He couldn’t wait to give you the eternal union, huh?"

Eternal union?

Ayana snapped her gaze up at his words.

’’Seems like my bud is serious about you, Ayana.’’ Matt let out a teasing smile. ’’ Judging from your reaction, you must a bit know about the background of this necklace.’’ He was quick to point out.

’’...’’

Of course she knew. Ayana lowered her gaze back to the beautiful necklace.

The eternal union.

The necklace wasn’t just any piece of jewelry. It was a treasured necklace, passed down through generations within the Kratos family, reserved solely for the madams—the wives of the family heads.

In her past life, she hadn’t received this necklace from Axel.

But now, here it was....on the palm of her hand.

’It’s burdening....’ Ayana felt a heavy weight on her hand. This necklace felt like a fire burning her hand.

For Axel to have given her this necklace, his grandfather must have also agreed. That meant that they were very satisfied with the engagement and she would enter their family as a wife and the granddaughter-in-law.

Wearing this necklace would practically announce that she was the Kratos family’s next future madam.

’’Your reactions don’t seem that pleased. You don’t like it?’’ As always, Matt was sharp and sensitive to notice the changes on her face.

’’I...I am pleased.’’ Ayana felt a lump rise in her throat. She closed the jewelry box and met Matt’s inquisitive gaze.

’’I am very pleased.’’ Her voice trembled just slightly.

Lies.

’’Tell Axel that I have received the necklace well.’’ She added, and slowly avoided his gaze.

More lies

’’And....extend my greetings also to grandfather, Matt. I will surely visit one of these days and thank them.’’

’’Okay....’’

’’I’ll be leaving now.’’ Ayana interrupted. ’’It’s getting late and Jason will be waiting for me.’’ She did not want for his reply and immediately left him behind.

’’....’’

"Does that look like someone pleased with a necklace?" Matt muttered, watching her retreating figure. Her pace seemed more like someone fleeing than departing.

He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"I just don’t get it."

****

The next day, rumors shook the entire New York city about what had happened at the birthday banquet of the First young miss Kingston.

Most of which were about the power dynamics within the prominent Kingston family.

Though few believed the rumors were an exaggeration and did not believe them, it couldn’t compare to the ones who believed that young miss of the Kingston family was not as simple as she seemed on the surface.

Perhaps her arrogant image was just a cover. Most started to believe this.

If Noah were to be aware of this, he would just tell them that no, the person you’re speaking of is still as arrogant as ever, if not more. It’s just that her arrogance this time was not stupidly showing like the past.

Another set of rumors that were in focus was the close relationship between the notorious playboy and good-for-nothing young master of the Easmond family, and the Young miss Kingston.

Some believed they had something for each other.

Other couldn’t help but wonder if there was something deeper in the relationship.

Words also spread of the distant relative who attended the birthday banquet, and other interesting events that took place.

’’So you and the Young master Easmond, huh?’’

’’You of all should know the truth of our relationship, Noah.’’ Ayana stated drily, and did not bother with her teasing first cousin.

*click* *clack*

Her fingers continuously tapped the keyboard of her laptop, and her hazel eyes never left the lighted screen.

Noah was seated nearby in his wheelchair and observed the side of her face for a moment.

’’Are you really a thirteen-year-old?’’

Fingers stilled on the keyboard, and Ayana raised her gaze to the sight of her first cousin. A moment of silence passed before she asked calmly.

’’Why do you ask that?’’

’’Normal thirteen years olds don’t behave like you do. Sometimes I feel like I’m speaking to an older and mature woman.’’ Noah replied, thinking of his past interactions with his first cousin.

’Sometimes you stare at Jason with regrets and tears, like you owe him something.’ He thought to himself.

’’Well, I never said that I was normal.’’ Ayana took a moment to answer. ’’Don’t compare me to other thirteen years olds. Our family isn’t normal in the first place, Noah.’’ She then resumed her typing on the keyboard.

’’True.’’ Noah nodded his head repeatedly and felt her answer was plausible. If Ayana remained a true and innocent thirteen-year-old in their kind of world, she would just be a known fool in the eyes of others.

’’Did you speak with Young master Easmond about Jason’s checkup?’’ Noah changed the subject.

’’.....’’ Ayana’s fingers stilled once more, though a fleeting moment before they continued clicking and clacking on the keyboard.

’’I take your silence as a no.’’

’’.....’’

’’Then why did he meet with you? Care to share, or am I being a nosy older brother?’’

’’.....’’

’’Why can’t you just mind your business, Noah? We aren’t a real brother and sister anyway.’’ Ayana said without looking up from the lighted screen.

Noah’s face immediately hardened at her words, but after a moment of hesitation, he let out a small sigh. ’’Well if you’re trying to make me angry, congratulations you succeeded. However, I know you just want to find a reason to trust in me, Ayana.’’

’’.....’’

’’Don’t toy with me with your words and just talk if you want to.’’ He continued. ’’I am not forced to be closer with you and Jason. You guys have changed my life and for that, I am very grateful. No amount of money can be enough to thank you for reaching out to me. I want to help in any way I can, if it means becoming a family and a true guardian both physically and mentally.’’

’’.....Why didn’t you say emotionally?’’

’’You want me to become your parent?’’

’’Shut up.’’

Noah chuckled at her instant response.

’’So, want to talk about it?’’

’’.....’’ Ayana stopped typing and raised her gaze to her first cousin. She held his gaze for a moment before averting her eyes elsewhere.

’’Axel gave me the eternal union through Matt.’’

’’Axel?’’ Noah’s eyebrows scrunched up in a fleeting confusion. ’’You mean the Young master Kratos?’’

’’Hmm.’’

’’The eternal union? Is that rumored necklace reserved only for the madams of the Kratos family?’’

’’Hmm.’’

’’Then why are you not happy? Your future husband had given you a token of promise to marry you in the future.’’

’’...I feel...burdened.’’

’’Burdened?’’ Noah arched an eyebrow at the choice of word. ’’You feel burdened with an engagement gift from the Kratos family? I’m sure the other young misses will love tear you apart if the word goes out. ’’

’’.....’’

’’ And Ayana, for you to feel that way, it seems there are other stuffs that you’re not telling me.’’ He added, staring at his cousin, who has been avoiding his gaze for a while now like a coward.

’’.....’’

’’What was I saying before?’’ Noah suddenly let out a tired sigh and shook his head. ’’You’re truly a thirteen-year-old. Only children going through puberty will be a headache to their family.’’

’’Noah.’’ Ayana snapped her gaze towards him and called out warningly.

’’What? I am saying the truth.’’ Noah teased with a smile.

Hmph! Ayana inwardly snorted at his words and looked at the lighted screen of her laptop. If possible, she would have loved to tell Noah that she was mentally older than him!

Who was going through puberty?! She had gone through that stage a long time ago! How dare he call her a child?!

Ayana momentarily brooded and did not immediately sense Noah heading her way.

’’You think too much, Ayana.’’ He placed a gentle hand on her head. His gaze then softened, meeting hers with a reassuring smile. ’’Just live your life happily without overthinking. Trust me, that has helped me to live with this ill body of mine.’’ He wheeled himself away after bidding her good night.

’’.....’’ Ayana silently watched his retreating figure until he disappeared from her view. The glow of the TV caught her attention, prompting her to turn her head toward the channel playing on the screen.

After a moment, she lowered her eyes to the dim screen of her laptop, and leaned her back on the sofa with a sigh.

’’If only that was easy as you say, brother.’’