Under One Roof

Settling In

Aria's POV

The rest of the evening drifted by quietly.

My mother barely left Mr. Micah’s side, her laughter softer than usual, her fingers constantly intertwined with his as if she was afraid he might disappear if she let go. Watching them felt strange. Not uncomfortable… just unfamiliar.

This was her new life.

Which meant it was mine too.

I stood there for a while longer before deciding I wouldn’t overthink it. Plenty of people adjusted to new families. New houses. New everything.

I could too.

Maybe it wasn’t that bad that my mother remarried. After all, my father had never really given us a happy home. I never grew up with warmth. With stability.

Maybe this was my chance to finally have one.

Even as I slowly accepted this new family, one thing kept interrupting my thoughts… Wyatt.

His image. His expression. His voice.

Everything about him refused to leave my mind, as if he had quietly settled there without permission.

I inhaled slowly.

He was just part of the package.

Just a stepbrother.

That was all.

I assured myself.

Attractive people existed. That didn’t mean anything. It didn’t have to be complicated unless I made it complicated.

And I wouldn’t.

Just as that decision settled firmly in my chest, someone approached me.

“Miss Aria?”

I blinked, pulled back to reality. “Yes?”

“Good evening, Miss Aria. I’m Susan, one of the housekeepers. Madam asked that I help you settle in.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“Your room is ready upstairs, but you’re free to choose whichever one you prefer.”

“Madam?” I repeated almost immediately.

“Yes,” she replied politely.

Madam.

So my mother was the new madam of this house now.

The thought sat strangely in my chest.

I looked around instinctively.

My mother and Mr. Micah were no longer in the sitting room.

In fact… they weren’t anywhere in sight.

The large living room suddenly felt bigger.

Quieter.

“They stepped into the study,” Susan added gently, as if sensing my confusion. “Madam said not to wait up.”

Of course she did.

I forced a small smile. “That’s fine.”

This was her new beginning.

I shouldn’t stand in the way of it.

“Please, this way,” Susan gestured toward the staircase.

As I followed her, the sound of my heels echoed softly against the marble steps. The house felt different from up here, more private. More intimate. More luxurious.

“There are several rooms on this floor,” she explained. “You may look around and decide which one you like.”

She opened the first door.

Spacious. Elegant. But not quite me.

The second.

Beautiful, but too close to the main hall. I preferred something more secluded.

Then the third door opened.

And I paused.

It was perfect.

Second to the last room on the floor. Large. Airy. The best view in the house. Through the wide window, the beach stretched endlessly below, waves glimmering beneath the fading sun.

I could wake up to this every morning.

“This one,” I said softly, a small smile forming on my lips.

“This one,” I said softly, a small smile forming on my lips.

Susan didn’t respond immediately.

The silence was subtle, barely a second, but long enough for me to notice.

Her smile faltered.

Just slightly.

“You… can check out the other rooms too, if you’d like,” she said carefully, almost hesitant.

I turned slowly toward her.

“Didn’t you say I could pick any one I want?” I asked. “Why the hesitation now?”

“It’s just that… this room…” She trailed off, her fingers tightening around the door handle.

“Is what?” I pressed.

She hesitated for a moment, then muttered, “Actually, ma’am, there are nicer rooms with better views. I could take you to see them if you like.”

Her hesitation was obvious, but I had already fallen in love with this room. I refused to read the expression on her face.

“And what’s with this one?” I insisted, my voice firmer. “Why would you take me to other rooms when I already love this one? I want this room, not anyone else’s, and I won’t be taken elsewhere.”

Susan grew quieter, looking down briefly before glancing toward the hallway and back at me.

“If you’re certain, Miss Aria,” she said carefully instead.

I studied her for a second longer.

Then I turned back to the window, letting the ocean pull my attention away. The waves shimmered beneath the fading sunlight, steady and endless.

It felt like freedom.

Like peace.

Like a fresh start.

“It’s fine,” I said lightly. “I love it.”

Susan hesitated one last time.

Then she nodded.

“Very well, Miss Aria. If you need anything, please let me know.”

“I will. Thank you.”

She stepped out, closing the door gently behind her.

The click echoed louder than it should have in the quiet room.

“To a new life,” I said to myself, stretching my arms wide before dramatically falling onto the bed.

“To a new home… and a six-pack stepbrother.” I chuckled softly, Wyatt’s face flashing through my mind. “Let’s see what life has waiting for me.”

I laughed at my own thoughts, staring up at the ceiling.

Little did I know… life was about to answer that question sooner than I expected.