"Master William, Madam Gianna has arrived and is seated in the living room," the butler announced with a bow. "My child?!" Emma gasped, instantly rising from her seat.
Everyone followed as they made their way to the living room. A young girl, probably my age, with the longest blonde hair I'd ever seen, stood smiling brightly. Her green eyes sparkled with joy as they landed on us. She dashed toward Dad and threw her arms around him in a warm embrace.
"Uncle William, I missed you so much!"
"Me too, my dear," Dad said softly, cupping her cheeks with pride. She then moved to Mom, embracing her warmly, and did the same to Grandma, who was already wiping tears from her eyes.
"Oh please, stop it already, Grandma," Gianna laughed, hugging her tightly. "I can't hold back my tears, my child. I've missed you so much," Amelia sniffled. "I missed you too, Grandma," Gianna replied, eyes twinkling.
She walked over to Aunt Olivia and hugged her as well. But surprisingly, she didn't even glance at her own mother. Aunt Emma stood stiffly, clearly uncomfortable. Grandma noticed and gave Emma a consoling look.
"Gianna, won't you greet your mom? She's been dying to see you," Dad gently prompted.
Gianna threw her a sharp glare and said nothing, then turned to Mom with a bright smile. "Aunt Kim, please introduce me to her," she said, her tone softening. Mom chuckled, shaking her head.
"Hazel dear, meet your cousin Gianna Smith."Oh my heavens!" Gianna squealed, dramatically clutching her chest. "Someone should pour a bucket of ice water on me. Am I dreaming?! You have no idea how much I adore you, Miss Aurora!" Miss?" I raised an eyebrow, amused. "I mean… Aurora, since we're cousins. Oh my gosh, I can't believe it! You're my idol!"
"Your idol?" I blinked. I knew I had fans, but Gianna's energy bordered on obsession.
Can I hug you? Please?" she asked politely.
"Of course we're family." She did a happy dance before squeezing me tightly in her arms.
"Gianna, I think I need to breathe!" I gasped.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" she released me instantly, her eyes wide with concern.
I sighed in relief, catching my breath as the room erupted in laughter everyone except, of course, Aunt Emma and my ever expressionless husband.
I couldn't help but wonder what the story was between Gianna and her mom. Gianna, meet my husband, Mark Ryan Wilson." Hello," she smiled sweetly. Mark gave a small nod, keeping his expression unreadable. Then he turned to me and gently pulled me aside.
"I've got to go. I'll pick you up at 5 p.m. Please be ready by then." "Of course."
He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, then said a polite goodbye to everyone before walking out of the mansion. The moment he left, a strange tension lifted from the air if only slightly.
Later that afternoon, I was sitting quietly by the lake when Gianna approached me holding a plate of cookies. "Mom baked them, right?" I asked, accepting one. "Yep!" she grinned. We both took a bite. "Mmm… delicious," we said in unison, then burst out laughing. "There's no doubt Aunt Kim bakes the best cookies in the world," Gianna said.
"I'd bet on that," I agreed, smiling warmly.
She looked down at the rippling water, her expression suddenly somber."Gianna, can I ask you something?" "I know what you want to ask. It's about Mom, right?" Well… not exactly, but yes."
She took a deep breath and stared out at the lake. She separated me from the love of my life," she said, her voice trembling. "She wanted me to marry into a rich family, someone of our status. But I refused. I loved him, and we planned to elope. But Mom found out… and destroyed everything."
My heart ached for her. "Where is he now?" I asked gently. "He died, Aurora. Six months ago." Tears welled up in her eyes."He was trying to prove himself to Mom, to everyone. He joined a shipping company in London, determined to be successful. But there was a shoot-out at one of the warehouses… and he was caught in it."
"Gianna…" I whispered, pulling her into a comforting embrace. This is all my mother's fault," she wept. "And I'll never forgive her. Not for this. Not for what she took from me."
I rubbed her back soothingly as she cried against my shoulder, wishing there was more I could do than simply be present.
Gianna was full of light, yes but beneath it all, there was heartbreak… and a past that refused to let go.