Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce!-Chapter 87

Aria’s POV

Cassius’s home was nothing like I expected.

When he’d mentioned "a small place near the eastern border," I’d pictured something modest. Functional. The kind of space a bachelor healer might keep—sterile and practical.

This wasn’t that.

The cottage sat nestled against the edge of a forest, surrounded by wildflowers that swayed in the breeze. Climbing vines hugged the stone walls. Warm light spilled from the windows like a welcome.

It looked like something from a fairy tale.

"It’s not much," Cassius said as he carried our bags inside. "But it’s home."

"Not much?" I stared at him. "Cassius, this is beautiful."

He smiled. That warm, easy smile that had always made me feel safe. "I’m glad you think so. You’ll be staying in the guest room upstairs. Lina can have the room next to yours—it used to be a study, but I cleared it out."

"You didn’t have to—"

"I wanted to." He set the bags down. Turned to face me. "Aria, I’ve been waiting three years for you to come back. A little furniture rearranging is nothing."

My chest tightened.

"Mommy." Lina tugged at my sleeve. Her voice was small. Uncertain. "Where are we?"

I crouched down to her level. Brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"We’re at Uncle Cassius’s house, remember? He’s going to let us stay here for a while."

Her black-gold eyes darted around the unfamiliar space. Taking in the exposed wooden beams. The fireplace crackling softly in the corner. The herbs hanging from the ceiling in neat bundles.

Everything was new. Everything was strange.

I could see the anxiety building in her little body. The way her shoulders hunched. The way she pressed closer to my leg.

My heart ached.

This was my fault. I’d uprooted her from everything she knew. Dragged her into a world she’d only heard about in bedtime stories.

What if this was a mistake?

"Hey." Cassius crouched down too. His voice was gentle. Calm. "You must be Lina. Your mom told me a lot about you."

Lina peeked out from behind my leg. Suspicious. Wary.

"She said you like chocolate chip pancakes," Cassius continued. "Is that true?"

A tiny nod.

"Well, guess what? I happen to be an expert pancake maker." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I even know the secret to making the chocolate chips stay melty inside."

Lina’s eyes widened slightly. Interest flickering through her fear.

"Really?"

"Really really." He held out his hand. "Want to see the kitchen? I have cookies too. The good kind."

She hesitated. Looked up at me for permission.

I nodded. Tried to smile reassuringly.

Slowly, carefully, she took his hand.

Cassius led her toward the kitchen, already chattering about his cookie collection and something about a secret ingredient that made them extra special.

I stood there. Watching them disappear around the corner.

The tightness in my chest eased. Just a little.

Maybe this would be okay.

Maybe.

---

The first few days were hard.

Lina clung to me constantly. Refused to let me out of her sight. She wouldn’t sleep in her own room—insisted on curling up beside me every night, her small body pressed against mine like she was afraid I’d disappear.

"Is she always like this?" Cassius asked one morning. We were in the kitchen. Lina was finally napping upstairs after a restless night.

"No." I wrapped my hands around my coffee cup. Let the warmth seep into my fingers. "She’s usually so independent. So fearless. I’ve never seen her this... fragile."

"She’s in a new place. Away from everything familiar." Cassius sat across from me. His gray eyes were kind. Understanding. "It takes time to adjust."

"I know." I stared into my coffee. "I just hate seeing her like this. I wanted to give her something better. Not more fear."

"You are giving her something better." His voice was firm. "You’re giving her a chance to understand who she is. What she is. That’s not nothing, Aria."

I wanted to believe him.

I really did.

"I should start looking for a job," I said, changing the subject. "And a place to live. I can’t impose on you forever."

Cassius set down his mug. Looked at me directly.

"You’re not imposing."

"Cassius—"

"I mean it." He leaned forward. "Aria, do you have any idea how happy I am that you’re here? That you trusted me enough to come?"

The intensity in his eyes made me uncomfortable. I looked away.

"I just don’t want to be a burden. You have your own life. Your work. You shouldn’t have to take care of us."

"I want to take care of you." The words came out soft. Almost tender. "I’ve always wanted that."

Something shifted in the air between us. Something I wasn’t ready to name.

"Cassius..."

"I’m not expecting anything," he added quickly. "I know you’ve been through a lot. I know you’re not—" He stopped. Took a breath. "I just want you to know that you’re welcome here. For as long as you need. No strings attached."

I met his eyes again.

He meant it. I could see that. Every word was genuine.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "Really. Thank you."

He smiled. That warm, healing smile.

"Now stop worrying about jobs and houses. You just got here. Give yourself time to breathe."