54. Chapter 54
A ria
The days that followed grew more structured. Crispin hired a health support worker named Rosa. She was middle-aged, matter of fact, and gloriously unimpressed by his money. She came in during the mornings to help with housework and keep an eye on Aria when he couldn't.
To his credit, Crispin tried to work from home as much as he could. He made her lunch when he had a break. He brought her tea she didn't ask for. And every night, no matter how tired, he read to the baby.
But Aria wasn't stupid. Something was going on.
She caught the clipped calls. There was tension in his tone when he had hushed conversations on the phone. He wouldn't tell her what was going on, and she didn't press. Not yet.
Until one afternoon, Rosa came into the lounge and said, "There's someone here. He says he wants to speak to you. You don't have to, but he says it was urgent. And that he has something important to tell you."
Aria frowned.
Moments later, Crispin appeared from his upstairs office, his expression tight.
"There's someone who wants to talk to you. And I know you hate him, but he's sorry, Aria. He really is. You can tell him to fuck off, I won't stop you. But he asked for this chance. I can tell him to go away if you want me to."
When Aria gave him a short nod, he stepped aside.
Dorian walked in .
He was uncharacteristically hesitant, hands in his coat pockets, his eyes did not meet hers at first.
"I came to say I was wrong," he said abruptly. "About you. About...everything."
Aria folded her arms as Crispin hovered like a thundercloud. He had told her that Dorian had arranged for the house in his absence. He also told her about Dorian supporting him during the vote.
Aria shooed Crispin off. She suspected he would not let Dorian speak for fear of upsetting her.
Dorian grimaced. "I can't blame Crispin for not trusting me. I was a rude, ignorant arsehole during that dinner. And I let Crispin down. I know that. But I'm hoping you might...eventually forgive me."
"I'll think about it," she said coolly.
Dorian nodded. "Fair enough. That's probably the best I deserve."
She added, "Crispin told me what happened with the board. How your loyalty never wavered, even when his father tried to knife him in the back."
That had softened something, just a little.
"Are you here to make amends," she asked, "or just to rehearse your Oscar speech?"
"Bit of both, honestly." Dorian cracked a grin. "You're scarier than you look."
"You were just nasty. Barely human that day."
"I am ashamed. I should have known better. I will do better."
"Does that mean you would consider making me the baby's godfather? Crispin and I had promised each other that. "
"Don't push your luck." Aria retorted. You give an inch...
They bantered. Dorian was apologetic, while Aria lanced him with a sharp-edged tongue for being 'a pompous entitled bore'.
And when Crispin returned with three mugs of tea and a plate of biscuits while pretending not to eavesdrop, they were already mid-sarcastic volley.
"You're lucky I didn't murder your best friend," Aria told Crispin.
"I was willing to risk it," he said, sipping.
Something like peace had settled in the room.
She smiled over her tea. The sunroom had been quiet until that moment, just the low murmur of their earlier conversation. But now, Dorian's posture shifted, and his smile faded. "There's something else," he said.
Crispin, who was right next to Aria, reached for her hand.
Dorian turned to Aria. "There is no way to make this sound any better. It's Ophelia... She passed away in her sleep a week ago."
Aria froze.
"She had pneumonia. The doctors said it was peaceful. She...she asked to speak to you. I didn't know until after."
The words hit her like a punch to her chest .
Dorian reached into his coat and handed her a sealed envelope. "There's something in the will for you. She made sure it was known. I don't know what it is."
Aria stared at it, heart hammering.
"She said you were one of the few people who actually listened to her," Dorian added. "She liked you. A lot. Her lawyer would like to speak to you as soon as possible."
She couldn't speak, just nodded, tucking the envelope to her chest like a precious gift.
She wished she had listened to what Ophelia had to say, but now it was too late.
That evening, Crispin sat in the study with his laptop open, face unreadable.
Aria found him there, staring at a paused video call screen.
"What is it?" she asked.
He leaned back, rubbing a hand over his jaw.
"My father's been pressuring my mother. She's withdrawn her vote."
Her breath stuttered.
"There's going to be another board meeting. They want me out completely. It’s like a joke."
He didn't sound angry. Just tired, resigned.
"I don't know what he's promised her, but it worked. And now...everything's back on the line."
Aria sat beside him quietly, laying a hand over his. "We'll face it together," she said.
He nodded, but didn't speak .
And later, when she glanced towards the envelope Ophelia had left for her, still untouched on the desk, she wondered if the ghosts of their past were done with them yet or just beginning to circle closer.