CHAPTER 27: I WISH TO MARRY YOUR DAUGHTER

“Ate’s not here. She went abroad,” Anya declared, her tone cool and unwelcoming.

She stood with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowing as she took in his reaction. There was a distinct edge of irritation on her face that Norman couldn’t ignore. She didn’t bother with pleasantries, and each word seemed to carry an unspoken command for him to back off. To her, he was nothing more than a mistake in the past—someone who no longer belonged anywhere near their lives. Her expression was a firm wall, and it was clear she had no intention of offering him a welcome of any kind.

Norman’s mind reeled as he processed what she said. “W-What? Since when?” he stammered, his voice betraying his shock.

He hadn’t expected this. Not once had it crossed his mind that Aria might just leave the country without a word. His thoughts scrambled, trying to make sense of the possibility that she’d moved on without him, leaving him behind. He felt an unfamiliar pang of desperation, the reality sinking in lik