Chapter Three: Recognition

Aria's heart pounded as she stood frozen in place, expecting the worst. She was certain she had been caught, her disguise as a maid failing her. But when she turned around, it wasn't the bodyguards glaring at her—it was the butler, Mr. Grayson. His stern yet composed expression briefly unsettled her before he spoke, his voice firm and unyielding.

"You two," Mr. Grayson said, pointing at Aria and the other maid she had bumped into. "The lady of the house has been waiting for assistance in the courtyard. Do not keep her waiting any longer."

Relieved but cautious, Aria nodded and quickly followed the other maid, her mind racing with questions. She had narrowly escaped suspicion, but she wasn't safe yet. As they reached the sunlit courtyard, Aria's eyes immediately fell on an elderly woman seated gracefully on a plush chair surrounded by blooming flowers. The woman exuded an air of elegance and authority, her gray hair styled neatly, and her eyes sharp with wisdom that only comes with age.

Aria kept her head down as she quietly dusted and rearranged items, hoping to remain unnoticed. But she could feel the weight of the elderly woman's gaze on her, intense and unwavering. It was as if the woman was studying her, searching for something beyond the surface. Aria tried to ignore it, but her nerves frayed with each passing second. Why was this old woman staring at her?

Just as Aria started to feel trapped under the woman's scrutiny, the grandmother slowly stood up, her eyes never leaving Aria's face. With a warm, knowing smile, the elderly woman approached her, her steps slow but deliberate. "Aria, is that you?" she asked, her voice filled with emotion.

Aria's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn't told anyone her name since she arrived. "How…how do you know my name?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before the woman could answer, Alexander entered the courtyard, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. He was surprised to see his grandmother engaging with the staff, but when he noticed Aria, his expression darkened with confusion and something else—recognition? The elderly woman's face lit up even more when she saw Alexander.

"Alexander!" she called, still holding Aria's hand. "Look who's finally come back! It's Aria, your childhood fiancée!"

Aria's eyes darted to Alexander, her pulse quickening. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but you've got the wrong person," she insisted, her voice shaky. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. There was no way she was this man's fiancée. "I'm not who you think I am."

The grandmother frowned, her grip on Aria's hand tightening as if she was afraid she would disappear. "Nonsense! How could I be mistaken? I remember you, child. You were promised to Alexander when you were both so young. I've been waiting for this day."

Aria desperately shook her head. "I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. I'm not your grandson's fiancée."

Alexander watched the exchange, his jaw tightening. He shot Aria a warning look, subtly shaking his head as if urging her not to argue further. He knew his grandmother well enough to sense that her emotions were on a precarious edge, and he didn't want to trigger any distress.

But Aria couldn't stay silent. "You really have the wrong person, ma'am. I don't know—"

"Alexander!" the elderly woman snapped, her frustration bubbling over. "Is this your fault? Have you driven her away? Is that why she doesn't want to marry you anymore?"

Aria could see the tension in Alexander's posture. His grandmother's accusations cut through the air, sharp and relentless. Aria muttered under her breath, "Oh no, this old woman really thinks I'm someone else. What if Mr. Sinclair thinks I'm tricking her?"

Alexander sighed, his stern expression softening slightly as he turned to his grandmother. "Please, don't be upset. I'll make things right." He glanced at Aria, a silent plea in his eyes. "Grandmother, Aria hasn't left. She's just… confused."

"Confused? Is that what you're calling it?" the grandmother huffed, her voice rising. "You fix this, Alexander, or I swear I'll be impulsive about it. I won't let her slip away again."

Alexander quickly moved to diffuse the situation. "I'll marry her. Just… please don't worry." He gently grabbed Aria's arm, pulling her away before she could protest further.

Aria stumbled after him, caught between her own panic and Alexander's urgent grip. She glanced back at the grandmother, who watched them go with a triumphant smile, whispering to herself, "Aria's finally back. This time, I'll protect her."

As they rounded the corner, Aria wrenched her arm free, her voice low and sharp. "What the hell was that? You know I'm not your fiancée, right?"

Alexander ran a hand through his hair, his composure strained. "I know," he said tersely, glancing back toward the courtyard. "But my grandmother… she's not well. I don't know why she thinks you're my childhood fiancée, but if you deny it, she'll only get worse. Just… play along for now."

Aria stared at him, torn between disbelief and fury. She had escaped one nightmare only to be thrust into another, and now she was tangled in a web of lies that she hadn't even spun.

He knew he was asking a lot from her, but this was a problem he couldn't fix on his own. Not this time.