Code of Heart (Joia City #1)

CHAPTER 1Aurelia

Aurelia

Aurelia Douro was alone again.

She sat on the dock behind her modest home, her feet dangling over the water. With her hands splayed flat against the weathered planks and arms locked rigid, her shoulders curled inward in a protective hunch. Her whole body leaned forward, as if bracing against a weight no one else could see.

A warm mid-summer breeze caressed her tear-stained face, the moonlight casting a glow on her weary expression.

Her thoughts drifted through a lifetime of memories.

The first time she sat on this dock was right after she bought the property, officially a homeowner.

Eleanor had been beside her—bare feet in the water, laughing at something Aurelia said.

The dock creaked beneath her as Aurelia shifted her weight, the cool wood pressing into her palms. Now it was just her…again.

Things had been going great for the first time in Aurelia’s life, and she genuinely enjoyed her job and Eleanor’s company. She had finally begun to feel happy, and it was all thanks to her.

Then Eleanor’s headaches started, and those feelings Aurelia had come to cherish evaporated, replaced by worry and fear.

The persistent shortness of breath quickly followed. Eleanor became so fatigued that everyday activities were too taxing and painful.

Over several weeks, her health had rapidly deteriorated, with Aurelia begging Eleanor to go to the doctor for a full evaluation. After initially protesting, Eleanor eventually gave in and agreed. That single appointment swiftly evolved into multiple rounds of testing before it yielded a culprit.

Cancer.

It had spread throughout her frail ninety-two-year-old frame, the prognosis bleak.

Aurelia remembered that day and moment vividly.

“I've been on this planet for ninety-two goddamn years, living life on my terms. Like hell will I spend whatever time I have left strapped to a bed with needles jabbed in me, losing all my beautiful locks,” Eleanor said when presented with the choice to try chemotherapy.

Despite the devastating news, Aurelia had laughed because it was a typical Eleanor response. She faced every situation with her own set of rules, so it was fitting that she approached her end the same way.

The laughter didn’t last long; everything she saw now seemed tinged with gray and edged with a chill that she couldn’t shake.

The ride back to the estate following that appointment had begun somberly. Eleanor stared out the window, deep in thought, while Aurelia summoned every kernel of willpower within herself to keep the tears at bay.

Eleanor had eventually turned to her with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes and declared, “Time for us to start planning my farewell party. Let’s make sure it’s as unforgettable as I am!”

Which was why today’s loss felt like the final blow.

Because Eleanor Greaves—her mentor, boss, and the closest thing she had ever had to a mother throughout her thirty years of existence—had passed away. Aurelia knew this day would come, and tried to prepare, but nothing lessened the ache.

No breakup in her messy dating history had ever hurt like this. When she had been living out of her car, Eleanor took a chance on her, giving her hope and a purpose she hadn’t known she needed. For five years, Aurelia thanked every god in existence for that chance, vowing never to waste it.

Everything she worked for over the last few months was in preparation for today…but she still hadn’t been ready for it.

Per Eleanor’s final request, they were to host a grand affair at Starhaven Manor that would be both a celebration of the socialite’s life and an opportunity to air grievances with certain attendees.

Aurelia recounted the events that had unfolded earlier that day as she gazed up at the sky, openly mourning the absence of such vitality.

They held a private service for Eleanor’s closest friends and family. She was laid to rest in the Greaves family mausoleum at Starhaven Manor, the last of her line reunited with her ancestors.

Rumors began swirling in the social circles about who would inherit the Greaves fortune.

As Eleanor’s personal assistant, Aurelia knew exactly how vast that fortune was…

enough to sustain many generations for years to come.

Eleanor wasn’t yet cold in the ground before the scavengers started circling.

Aurelia drowned out the gossip by focusing on her work, as she was given three days to execute the farewell party according to plan.

If anyone noticed her tearful eyes or wavering voice during this time, they wisely kept it to themselves.

She didn’t know how she would handle confronting her grief in front of them.

In the end, the event sparkled in all its opulent glory.

The ballroom glowed with crystal chandeliers, satin tablecloths in various jewel tones, towering floral arrangements, and a dance floor like a living painting.

The scent of jasmine and amber filled the air, while projector screens ensured every guest had a view of the presentation.

Charcuterie boards teased the guests before the multicourse meal, as a string quartet played near the patio overlooking the gardens. Eleanor’s farewell was a true reflection of her larger-than-life persona and was no less extravagant, whimsical, and unapologetically grand as she had been.

Guests, handpicked by Eleanor, trickled in; all dressed in dark mourning attire that contrasted with the vibrant space.

Dramatic sniffles and silken handkerchiefs dabbed at imaginary tears, but no one noticed Aurelia’s quiet observations.

She knew Eleanor would have cackled with glee at the show, loving every second of the spectacle.

This was her final act of rebellion.

Aurelia’s hands trembled slightly as she thought of what was still to come.

She wanted to honor her friend by wearing something bright and chose a royal purple sleeveless maxi dress, accented with a large gold belt and matching sandals.

Her usual makeup was light and efficient, consisting of mascara, tinted moisturizer, and lip gloss, but today, she added a touch of bronze eyeshadow.

Selene Vinter, Starhaven Manor’s Chief of Staff, approached Aurelia.

Selene oversaw the management of Starhaven Manor’s daily operations.

Her level of authority was second only to Eleanor’s.

She was serious, direct, and demanded perfection from the staff.

She wore a gray variation of her usual pantsuit, hair in its trademark tight bun, and the ever-present earpiece.

Aurelia had known Selene since they were twelve. Placed in the same foster home, their friendship began and extended beyond their time in care.

Selene had worked hard over the years to earn her ultimate promotion to Chief of Staff in the Greaves household. Eleanor had gone through more personal assistants than one could count, usually over something minuscule.

When Selene had encouraged her to apply to be Eleanor’s personal assistant, Aurelia was hesitant.

The required skills and experience were daunting enough to stop her from sending an application, but she had done it anyway to make her friend happy, and Eleanor hired her on the spot.

For the last five years, Aurelia had worked tirelessly to prove she was the right choice.

Selene surveyed the room and said softly, “This is exactly the kind of circus Eleanor would have loved. How are you holding up?”

Aurelia exhaled. “Part of me wants it over, and the other part doesn’t want it to end because it means she’s really gone. What about you?”

Selene nodded, eyes downcast. “Same. Unfortunately, Eleanor’s still holding us to a timeline from beyond.” She checked her watch and cursed. “It’s time for the first course.” She turned to the Master of Ceremonies to start the event.

Guests moved to their seats as he welcomed them to the celebration. His voice rang through the speakers and every projector screen.

“It was Eleanor Greaves’ final wish that we gather here today to celebrate her life rather than mourn her passing,” he announced.

“We will soon begin the meal, followed by a cinematic tribute with personal stories from her closest friends. To close the celebration, we also have a final video from Eleanor herself.”

A chorus of gasps and some not-so-subtle—borderline obnoxious—tears rippled through the room. Aurelia rolled her eyes at the theatrics as the video began, and the first course was served.

Too nervous to eat, Aurelia stayed in her corner, eyes fixed on the screen. She didn’t notice Charles Pierce approach until he spoke beside her.

“Eleanor was one of a kind,” he said softly.

Charles had been Eleanor's attorney since the day he graduated from law school decades ago.

Now in his early eighties with silver hair, warm but sharp brown eyes, Charles looked like he had aged significantly these last two months as well.

He was Eleanor's friend just as much as he was her attorney, in mourning like Aurelia.

“Only she would demand a farewell party instead of a normal funeral,” Aurelia said wryly.

Charles laughed. “And she was anything but normal.”

Comfortable in each other's company, they stood quietly for a few moments as they waited to watch the video before Charles broke the silence. “While I don’t wish to talk business during an event like this, I need to ask that you come back here tomorrow at 9:00 AM along with the rest of the staff.”

He hedged, choosing his next words carefully. “There are…matters within her final will that affect her staff, in addition to other items you and I must discuss privately.”

Aurelia’s stomach sank. “9:00 AM is fine with me, my schedule’s suddenly wide open,” she replied with a slow nod.

“See you tomorrow morning then. In the meantime, I need another drink before Act Two of this production gets underway,” Charles said with resignation before walking away. Aurelia broke out into a small grin before deciding to follow his lead to grab herself a diet soda.