Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87: 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. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

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.

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