Lynette watched Arian's sharp glare linger on Leonardo as he walked away, his hands trembling slightly.
It was the first time she had ever seen him like that—controlled, yet barely concealing something deeper.
Was it anger?
Suppressing frustration?
She wasn't sure.
Then, Arian turned back to her, his expression softening as he forced a smile.
"Are you comfortable? Do you need to rest?" he asked, but his voice wavered ever so slightly.
Lynette thought about it.
After Kevin Gael, her heart hadn't settled.
It was like a lingering pressure in her chest—an unease that made her feel as if she might collapse from heart attack.
Then there was Leonardo, and the history him and Lynette might have shared.
"I guess… I am tired," Lynette finally admitted.
Arian nodded. "Let's walk outside then. I'm not… enjoying the party that much either."
Just as they were about to leave, a voice interrupted them, accompanied by a firm shake on Lynette's arm.
"Where are you going?"
Lynette turned, eyes widening slightly.
"Rhysand!" Arian said, a mix of surprise and familiarity in his tone.
Rhysand stood before them—a towering figure with short, curly brown hair, his height matching Arian's.
Lynette blinked, recognizing him from the family photo she had seen earlier.
"Rhysand?" she said
He grinned, his energy was vibrant and full of life. "Come, let's gossip. I missed you!"
Without hesitation, he grabbed her arm, ready to whisk her away.
But before he could, Arian stepped in, his presence immediately grounding the moment.
"Your sister is tired. She needs to rest," he said firmly, gently pulling Lynette's hand away.
Rhysand looked at her, then nodded in understanding.
"Oh, if you're tired, you should rest," he said casually. "After all, you haven't had enough rest since you got back."
Then, his tone shifted slightly, more thoughtful.
"Mother wanted to push the event forward, but Axton insisted it should be tonight."
Lynette's brow furrowed at the mention of Axton. " Lynette's older brother?"
"The other family members are waiting," Rhysand added. "I should let them know you're tired."
As Rhysand spoke, Lynette hesitated, thoughts swirling in her mind.
Would it be better to sacrifice her tiredness to meet the rest of the family?
She had more days ahead, plenty of time to settle in—but what if the real Lynette was still alive somewhere? What if she returned?
That thought unsettled her .
"I'll meet them," she finally said, turning to Rhysand. "I don't remember them, but I should spend some time with them."
Rhysand grinned. "Then, excuse me, brother-in-law, I have to borrow my sister. You can come too," he said, grabbing Lynette's hand and leading her away. Arian followed closely behind.
As she moved through the grand hall, Lynette was introduced to her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and extended family members who had gathered for the event.
She expected long, dull conversations, but surprisingly, she enjoyed their company.
They spoke warmly, sharing old memories and laughter. Some presented welcome-back gifts, which Abigail efficiently managed.
Despite her initial hesitations, Lynette found herself momentarily content.
Seeing her parents as a loving couple, surrounded by family ties she had never experienced before, filled her with an unexpected sense of belonging.
Then—
"What's that in your hand?" Paloma, one of her aunts, asked.
Lynette glanced down, realizing she was still holding the box Leonardo had given her. She had forgotten to pass it to Abigail.
"Ah… a gift from Leonardo," she said casually.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.
"The L2 CEO?" one of her uncles said with fascination.
At that moment, a familiar voice chimed in from nearby.
"It looks like I was summoned."
Leonardo approached effortlessly, his presence drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
"Will he complicate things?" Lynette wondered, watching him carefully.
"The man is always handsome… I wish I was younger," her paternal grandmother mused, eyes twinkling with amusement.
Leonardo turned to her with his signature charm. "Grandmother, if I had been born earlier, you might have been the one in my heart. After all, I hear Lynette inherited her beauty and character from you."
The family chuckled, clearly entertained.
"It's not too late to divorce me," Lynette's paternal grandfather quipped, making the room burst into laughter.
Leonardo smirked playfully. "Grandfather, be careful. If you divorce her, I might marry her instead."
The laughter swelled again, filling the space with warmth.
Lynette observed them closely.
It was striking how comfortable her family was with Leonardo—how easily he fit among them, how naturally he addressed her mother as Mother and her uncles as Uncle, and yet no one objected.
They loved him, embraced him.
But then, her mind drifted back to the moment she had first arrived.
Her mother had been upset when Arian referred to her as Mother—even though he had been Lynette's husband for five years.
Why was Leonardo treated differently?
Leonardo's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Ah, Mother, have you seen the crystal necklace I gifted Lynette?" He gestured toward the small box in her hand.
"It has quite a story to it, but it's long. I wouldn't want to bore you."
Lynette's mother glanced at the unopened box and smiled. "Is that what's inside? You should put it on her. It will match this dazzling silver dress."
All eyes shifted toward Lynette.
And from the corner of her vision—she noticed Arian.
Watching.
Silent.
Leonardo glanced at Arian with a smirk before turning back to Lynette. "May I?" he asked smoothly.
Lynette hesitated, unsure whether to allow him. She thought back to how Arian had reacted when Leonardo reached for her face earlier.
Her eyes met Arian's, and he held her gaze steadily.
Leonardo flickered his attention between them, sensing something.
Then, Lynette finally spoke. "My husband will put it on me," she said, her voice firm and composed. "I do appreciate this gift."
Arian's face brightened slightly as he stepped forward. Lynette handed him the box.
Leonardo let out a soft scoff but said nothing.
Arian moved behind her, opening the box. As his eyes landed on the crystal, his expression shifted—his smile fading for a brief moment as he stared at it.
"What are you being slow for?" her grandmother asked, her tone edged with impatience.
Arian took a breath, then placed the box in his pocket momentarily. He bent slightly, and Lynette felt an odd nervousness creep in.
No one had ever placed a necklace on her before. She had never imagined this moment would come.
His touch was deliberate, careful, as he fastened the necklace around her neck.
Gasps echoed through the room, followed by murmurs.
"What a beautiful necklace."
"I wish he was our in-law instead."
"Too bad we can't say no to Lynette for her choice. I could never imagine myself refusing her."
Their words weren't whispers. They were spoken openly, without hesitation.
Leonardo's voice broke through the murmurs. "Mi Reina," he said softly, eyeing the necklace on her.
"It's really beautiful," Arian said, and Lynette turned to face him.
"Thanks," she replied with a small smile.
Arian leaned slightly, his gaze at her"Very beautiful," he murmured, staring at her intently.
Lynette felt the moment stretch, slightly awkward, and just as she was about to turn away, Arian's hand gently held her face.
Before she could process it, his lips pressed against hers.