Chapter 29
Aaron’s words landed like a blade, slicing straight through Monica. Her face went pale, and her fingers curled so tight that they stung
What did he mean by that?
Heidi, flustered, could only nod
“Yes, Mr. Compton 11’s all thanks to you. If you hadn’t brought Nicole to that banquet, I might’ve missed the chance to reunite with my daughter.”
Back then, there was no way Nicole could’ve entered a Boyd Corporation event–If not for Aaron. If not for that night, mother and daughter might never have found their way back to each other.
Aaron gave a slight nod, his voice cool and steady. “just lending a hand. Anyway, why don’t I see her around?”
Nicole had barely slept the night before, only dozing off just before sunrise. Still half–asleep, she made her way downstairs in her pajamas, planning to prepare breakfast for Heidi
Heidi had loved her cooking the day before, and with nothing pressing at home, Nicole was more than happy to help take care of Heidi’s meal
The moment her gaze adjusted, she locked eyes with Aaron.
Nicole froze instantly, and her mind went completely blank for two seconds.
Wait.. was she dreaming? It felt like she was seeing Aaron sta
standing right there
Aaron wasn’t loolong away, his eyes stayed fixed on her.
Soon enough, Nicole snapped back to reality.
It really was him. She wondered if he was here to propose.
Glancing down at her pajamas and slippers, the sheer mess of it made her want to disappear. Nicole didn’t even manage a greeting before she spun around and bolted backupstairs.
Aaron’s gaze lingered on her as she fled, and the comer of his lips lifted in a quiet, amused smile.
Monica saw it all
All these years, she had worked so hard to stay close to Aaron, but not once had she seen him smile at her.
And yet Nicole, in that mess of a state–dressing in pajamas, sleepy–eyed and disheveled–had pulled a smile from him.
Why?
She had spent hours perfecting her look, only to be ignored. Nicole looked like she had just rolled out of bed and probably hadn’t even brushed her teeth–and still, she got Aaron’s attention.
Swallowing her frustration, Monica schooled her face into something soft and innocent,
Aaron, Nicole just got back and hasn’t learned proper manners yet. I hope you don’t mind how she acted.”
Only then dad Aaron tum his gaze away. His expression cooled, switching back to that unreadable calm.
“Mrs. Boyd,” he began, “I’m here today to talk about the marriage arrangement between our families.” Monica’s eyes lit up instantly.
Sut Heidi picked up something strange in his tone.
Had the Compton family changed their plans?
If the engagement was for Nicole, Heidi had no reason to object. After all, that arrangement had always been meant for her.
She just wasn’t sure it Nicole, having only recently returned, would be willing to go through with it.
“Aaron, let’s head to the couch and talk,” Monica suggested. “Marriage is a big g deal. We’ll need to go over the detalls and maybe even pick an engagement date,” Aaron’s lips twitched slightly as he interjected, “The mariage between the Compton and Boyd families was always tended for your biological daughter. Now that Nicole has retumed, I’m here today to discuss my engagement to her.”
Monica was at a loss for words. The self–control she had clung to for so long cracked open
She looked at Aaron, disbelief written all over her face. Her voice trembled with emotion as she asked, “Aaron what did you just say? You want to many Nicole ?”
