Aster Veren
Episode 93

- Kalea

I set foot into the library to look for Aster's whereabouts. He loved the place anyway, so maybe I could find him there. That's how I thought.

But on the way to the library, I saw Mr. Albert with his son standing in the courtyard of the academy. Not far from where I stand.

"He's explaining the situation?" My murmurs were still paying attention to the father and son who looked out of shape.

I felt sorry for the boy .. Everyone was warm talking about his family because of my mother and grandmother. He must have had a hard time dealing with those troublesome people. I continued inwardly while watching Sean's moody expression.

I don't know, I don't know why I feel sorry for him. Maybe because he's my half-brother? Or my former half-brother? She also did not know that her stepmother had a child her age. If he knew, he would be very surprised, right?

"You're sure you didn't divorce her because of that, right?" The boy's shout surprised me who just stepped my legs back.

"liying right? Did you find out what that woman did and secretly divorce her?" The next one is still screaming.

"So your mouth is!" Strictly, Mr. Albert made his son silent.

Aye! Watch your mouth, if you scream like that, someone else can hear it. Would you like to hear new rumors about your family again? Maybe they're further insulting your father. Don't make the situation more complicated. My move inwardly, approves the actions of Mr. Albert.

"... Why am I eavesdropping on their conversation?" My murmurs immediately rushed towards the library, but again my steps came to a standstill when I heard someone call my name.

Lazily, I turned to the source of the voice that called out to me. From his voice, I could tell who was calling me. Yeah, who else if not Mr. Albert.

"Ah, it's true you." He said when he managed to approach me who was still staring at the place.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Albert." My husband tries to show me my best smile.

"... It looks like you're okay with the news already out,"

Whatdoes thatmean? Ah, that article has also revealed mother's biggest secret huh? Everyone knows about the mother who hid her child. But they do not know the figure of the mother's child, they also do not know the mother has a son or a girl. But ... Why Mr Albert? My mind wondered while remembering the entire contents of the article I read.

"What do I have to do with all the news you mean?" I asked while showing my best smile again.

"What kind of attitude do you think you should show in this situation?" He asked along with Sean's steps that had approached his father.

"Come on," I briefly still hold on with my fake smile.

"... does your mother ask you to behave like this in front of your stepfather?" The question surprised me with his words.

"Yah–tiri? Whatchu mean?" Sean asked as surprised as I was.

My heart feels like it's going to fall out, but I have to obey my mother's words. In any case, all I can do right now is protect myself from the trouble I'm causing. Besides, he could have said he was my stepfather when he divorced my mother.

But, why should I protect my mother's good name? He has thrown me away, I ... have no obligation to cover up the truth anymore, right? And again, if everyone knows I'm Claretta's daughter. Wouldn't that be good? It can be a distraction, and they'll forget about the Veren family gossip that framed Mr. Albert's ex-wife. They won't talk about Sean anymore either. Perfect right?

"... So you're saying he's my half-brother?" Sean's voice breaks down my daydream. "No way!" Continue with a look of disbelief, staring intently into my eyes. Normal reaction, right?

"You–"

"You're right, how could I be your stepbrother right? Albert is divorced from his wife. Then ... I too was long ago banished by my mother, I don't mean Miss Claretta." I managed to cut Mr. Albert's words.

"So it's only natural that I'm very calm in a situation like this? Let's just say he's got karma from all his deeds and greed." I returned to showing my best smile.

A lie! Of course I want to run to see my mom, but I can't. I have also decided to forget about it and focus on my own life. In accordance with the wishes of the mother.

***

- Nathan

I let out my weary breath after parting ways with Nadin, "should I meet him every time he contacts me? It's exhausting." I muttered feeling tired because I have been seeing Nadin lately because of his wishes.

Though he himself knows my busyness, but still troubles me. Should I continue this senseless matchmaking? I continued inwardly while walking towards the academy grounds.

Yeah, it doesn't make any sense. Even Nadin's family was not as famous as the Kalea family back then. He also did not have a clan like the Kalea family. But why did grandma accept this match? Though it used to be very insistent on wanting to match me with a respected person as well.

It's incomprehensible! Had bad rumors about Kalea not been circulating. And he was not looking for trouble with anyone else, perhaps my Inner I– came to a halt when he saw Kalea face off against master Albert and his son not far from where I stood.

"What an unusual sight. That night they didn't seem to get along." My words recall the meeting of Kalea and Mr. Albert at my party. When he accidentally hit the body of Mr. Albert.

Unknowingly, I've been watching Kalea's movements all night. My inner self was ashamed of my bad habits of paying attention to others silently.

"But what are they talking about? Why so serious? What about Kalea's mother and grandmother?" My murmur immediately shook my head to brush off my curiosity.

It's not good for me to be too curious and curious about other people's family affairs. My business is still piling up, so let's just go and take care of my own business. My mind moved my feet back towards the parking lot.

But my steps came to a standstill when I heard the screams of Mr. Albert's son. "... So you're saying he's my half-brother?" His voice surprised me, I saw he was looking into Mr. Albert's eyes. "No way!" He continued to glance sharply at Kalea.

What is impossible? He's clearly your stepbrother. My mind felt crap when I saw that unpleasant expression.

"You–" Mr. Albert's voice was cut off by Kalea.

"You're right, how could I be your stepbrother right? Albert is divorced from his wife. Then ... I too was long ago banished by my mother, I don't mean Miss Claretta." His words surprised me.

She's she? Dumped by his mother? My mind doubts my sense of hearing.

I saw that the two men were as surprised as I was when I heard what the girl before him said.

"So it's only natural that I'm very calm in a situation like this? Let's just say he's got karma from all his deeds and greed." It sounds so quiet but feels so heartbreaking to the person who hears it.

Moreover, his staunch expression that he showed to master Albert and his son.

"I ... really didn't hear wrong right?" My murmur again confirmed my sense of hearing along with the afternoon breeze that hit my body.

.

.

.

Thanks for reading...