Aiden’s gaze remained steady as he looked at her, never breaking eye contact.
“What are you?”
Alina blinked, surprised by the question. She glanced between him and the older woman, who was staring intently at their joined hands.
“I... I don’t understand,” she replied, her voice uncertain.
The older woman stepped closer, her expression softening just a little. “What’s your name?” she asked gently.
Alina straightened her back. “Alina Carpenter,” she said with a small nod.
The woman studied her face closely, then smiled faintly and reached out, her gloved hands gently squeezing Alina’s.
“Would you mind giving us a moment alone, dear?”
Alina gave a polite nod and stepped back quietly, watching as Aiden followed his grandmother down the hallway and into a nearby room.
Once the door clo
