Chapter 297
Aria’s POV
I instinctively looked ahead when I heard his voice, my gaze drawn by the quiet reverence in his tone.
Katherine’s grave stood alone, a semi-circular structure covering nearly ten square meters. The black marble headstone, standing over three feet tall, held a black and white photograph that somehow seemed to shimmer with an almost ethereal clarity in the moonlight.
I had, of course, heard countless stories about Katherine-the woman who had filled so many critical gaps in his life since childhood. But this was my first time seeing her face, truly seeing the woman who had shaped so much of the man I loved.
The woman in the photo had shoulder-length hair and a gentle expression, yet it held a touch of profound vulnerability. Just looking at her, I felt an instinctive urge to reach out, to offer comfort.
“She is beautiful,” I said softly, turning to look at Aiden, my voice filled with genuine admiration.
Just like a mother’s gentle spirit, I mused silently, a pang of my own childhood memories stirring.
Aiden smiled faintly, a bittersweet curve of his lips. “She would have been very happy to hear that, Aria p>
“I’m sure she can hear us,” I replied with conviction, my hand gently slipping from his. I bent down, wanting to be eye-level with the serene woman in the photograph, a silent gesture of respect.
My gaze fell on a stray smudge on the polished headstone. I instinctively wanted to wipe it clean, but then realized my purse wasn’t with me—I’d left it in the car. The tissues were in my purse.
Aiden crouched down beside me, noticing my furrowed brow and the slight frown on my face. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft.
“No tissues,” I mumbled, feeling a sudden, childish frustration.
“There’s some in the jacket pocket.” He nodded towards the coat he’d draped over my shoulders.
My eyes lit up with relief at his words. I quickly reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. Sure enough, there was a neatly folded pack of tissues!
I pulled out two sheets, unfolded them carefully, then refolded them into a small, neat square before beginning to tenderly wipe the headstone clean.
“Hello, Mrs. Katherine,” I said softly, my voice filled with reverence as I cleaned. “I’m Aiden’s wife, Aria. This is my first time visiting you here, and I came rather suddenly without bringing anything proper. I hope you don’t mind.” My thoughts drifted to her profound impact on Aiden, a warmth spreading through me. “Aiden speaks of you often, and with so much love. He wouldn’t be the man he is without you p>
Aiden’s POV
I watched her, my Aria, as she carefully, tenderly, wiped down Katherine’s headstone. Her voice, a soft murmur in the night, spoke words of respect and quiet devotion, filling my chest with a warmth that even the chill night wind couldn’t penetrate.
The idea of bringing her here hadn’t been a sudden impulse. For weeks, the conviction had been growing within me: I was irrevocably in love with her. I knew, with every fiber of my being, that Katherine, my guiding star, my cherished godmother, would have adored Aria as much as I did.
My gaze fell upon Katherine’s serene face in the photograph, that familiar blend of gentle grace and profound wisdom found my voice, deep and earnest. “Katherine,” I began, my hand finding Aria’s, gently lacing our fingers together. This is Afla. My wife, the woman I love with aff my heart p>
I finished the quiet introduction, then tugged lightly on her hand. “Don’t get your
hands cold, or dirty. Let me do it p>
Aria, however, deftly pulled her hand
back, a playful glint in her eyes. “How could your godmother’s headstone possibly dirty my hands? It’s already impolite enough that I came without bringing anything. Please, let me finish And you she added, turning her bright gaze to me, “you can tell your godmother all your secrets. I promise I won’t listen in p>
Her earnestness, her charming little gesture, made a genuine smile bloom on my face. I looked back at Katherine’s photograph, a silent conversation passing between us. “She’s quite something, isnt she, Katherine murmured, a soft laugh escaping me. Content bétongs
Just a little forgetful at times, that’s all, I thought, a private joke about her initial confusion regarding Katherine’s identity.
Aria’s face flushed a delicate red, and she nudged me gently. “Aiden, please! In front of your-in front of your godmother, no flirting p>
This is a cemetery, Aiden Carter. Be serious! I could almost hear the unspoken reprimand in her head.
At her words, I couldn’t hold back the laughter. It burst forth, rich and clear, echoing against the silent stones.
“Shhh!” Aria instantly clapped a hand over my mouth, her eyes wide with alarm. “Don’t laugh so loud! There are groundskeepers on patrol at night p>
I raised an eyebrow, amused. “How do you know that, Mrs. Carter p>
She pulled her hand away, her gaze flitting nervously around. I heard p>
“Mrs. Carter truly is a fount of knowledge,” I teased, my voice thick with affection. Aria’s face reddened further, but she simply returned to meticulously wiping Katherine’s headstone.
After carefully cleaning every inch, she brought her hands together, fingers intertwined, and bowed her head in a gesture of profound respect and piety.
Watching her, the lingering weight of the evening, the familiar melancholy that always accompanied visits to Katherine’s grave, simply vanished. My wife, indeed, knew just how to bring light into my world.
The night wind truly was cold here in the cemetery. Fearing Aria might catch a chill, I didn’t linger much longer. “We should go,” I suggested, my voice firm but gentle.
Aria turned her head, looking at me with those expressive eyes. “Aren’t you going to have a private word with Mrs. Katherine? I can step away p>
I simply took her hand, lacing our fingers together once more, and gently pulled her up. “Already said everything I needed to p>
“Oh? When? I didn’t hear you say anything!” she asked, genuinely perplexed.
“Just now,” I confirmed, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. I brushed a stray piece
of dust from her skirt, then led her, my heart light, away from the quiet solitude of the grave.