Mrs. Ferguson was thest to step up to Walter. He looked so much older than her-lined face, tired eyes. They exchanged a quick look, nodded, and that was it. No words, no emotion. It was almost like they were strangers.


    No one else said much either. Some people paid their respects in silence, others offered Simon a few quiet words offort. The whole thing dragged on for hours -four, maybe five-before someone finally suggested they all head to the old house for dinner that night.


    Tara had stayed close to Mrs. Ferguson the whole time. When she heard the dinner ns, she leaned in and whispered, "Mrs. Ferguson, do you mind if I go talk to Dn for a bit?"


    Mrs. Ferguson smiled and gave her hand a gentle pat. "Of course, dear. Go on."


    All eyes followed Tara as she walked toward Dn. Simon, watching from the sidelines, wore a look that was half mocking, half smug. Everyone knew why Tara was here. Grandma brought her along as a not-so-subtle message: as far as Mrs. Ferguson was concerned, Tara was the only woman worthy of being Dn''s wife. ra? Marriage certificates? Didn''t mean a thing.


    In the Ferguson family, Dn was never one to listen to Walter. The only person he ever really listened to was Mrs. Ferguson.


    Tara wore a simple ck dress, handmade by the same artisan who''d crafted Mrs. Ferguson''s outfit. She stopped in front of Dn, her posture calm and open, and held out her hand.


    "Long time no see," she said.


    Dn didn''t even look up, didn''t reach for her hand. Just a quiet, "Mm."


    Tara didn''t miss a beat. "Maybe we could have dinner sometime? I haven''t seen Nichs and the others in ages."


    He just gave another nomittal, "Mm."


    Tara smiled, a real one. She wasn''t traditionally beautiful-no softness or dramatic features—but she had a confidence and warmth about her that made people feel she belonged anywhere. The kind of woman the older generation loved: steady, poised, like she could hold her own no matter what.


    It was the kind of beauty that filled a room, made you think of old money and good fortune.


    "Alright then. Next time, I''ll tell everyone about my adventures abroad. Got a lot of stories to share," she said, her tone light.


    Dn nodded, about to motion for Aiden to wheel him away. But just then, Tara stepped a little closer and lowered her voice.


    "How''s your health?" she asked, soft but sincere. "Any better?"


    He paused, just for a second, then nced up at her.


    Tara''s eyes were full of concern. "Last time I saw you, you weren''t... yourself."


    He cut her off, voice t. "I''m fine."


    She let out a quiet sigh of relief, smiling more genuinely now. "Good. You really scared mest time. Well, I''ll get going."


    Tara turned and walked back to Mrs. Ferguson, who gave her hand another affectionate pat and looked over at Dn.


    "Dn, you shoulde to the manor for dinner tonight," she said kindly.


    No one else in the family said a word. Everyone knew Mrs. Ferguson had rushed back mostly because of Ada, but it was obvious her real focus was Dn''s marriage.


    Just as quickly as she''d arrived, Mrs. Ferguson was gone again. Walter went with her, Tara too. Being in the same ear as both of them said everything about Tara''s position in the family-no one else could do that.  ?wnovel


    The rest of the family''s attention shifted to Dn. Someone looked like they wanted to offer congrattions, but a friend


    stopped them with a shake of the


    head. Everyone knew Dn hated


    attention, especially from his


    so-called socialwork


    A sharpugh cut through the crowd-Simon, still holding a stick of incense.


    "Congrats, Dn. Barely married and already headed for divorce court."


    His tone was pure poison. For a younger cousin, Simon had no sense of respect.


    Aiden started pushing Dn toward the exit, but Dn didn''t even blink at the jab. He just tossed back, "ra''s waiting for me at home, so I''ll skip the party."


    Simon''s face twisted. He snapped the incense in his hand clean in half.


    The rest of the family looked


    stunned. Some had heard rumors about Dn marrying ra, but nobody believed it. It was too far-fetched. ra was the reason Dn was in a wheelchair in the first ce. No matter how forgiving he wás, no one thought he''d ever marry her-he''d never even liked her.


    But now, hearing it straight from Dn, everyone realized it was true. It really was


    ra.


    Why her, of all people?


    How did those two end up together?