Inheritance

John walked toward the dining room, where Rina was sitting next to the Christmas tree in a white shirt and black skirt, waiting for them.

“What took you two so long?” Rina asked.

“Sorry,” John replied, sliding into a seat at the table.

He glanced around and then asked, “Rina, where’s Al, the butler? I don’t see him that often.”

Rina explained, “He only takes care of Dad’s room, and he lives outside the house in a small cabin near the gates. That’s why you don’t see him much.”

“I’ve been living here for months… where is this cabin? I never noticed it,” John said.

Rina replied, “His cabin looks like a tool shed, that’s probably why.”

Suddenly, Aria entered the room, and both their brows lifted.

She was wearing the red dress she got for Madam Kinu, paired with red lipstick, a pearl necklace, and matching earrings.

“Wow,” John said, stunned.

“Is there a party going on here? I’m only in my office shirt and plain black skirt,” Rina asked.

“No, I just never got a chance to wear this,” Aria replied, twirling slightly. “And it’s red, so it fits the Christmas spirit. How do I look?”

“You look amazing,” Rina said. “Madam’s work is truly special.”

John looked at her, speechless for a moment, then said, “You look beautiful.”

Aria handed her phone to Rina and grabbed John’s hand. “Let’s take a picture together,” she said, recreating the same pose she had struck when Ryo was there.

“Ready…” Rina said, holding the phone.

They smiled and looked straight into the camera.

“Here, got it,” Rina said. 

Aria hugged her and took a selfie with her. 

“Thanks, Ari. Now let’s eat.”

*****

After dinner, Aria said, “Merry Christmas,” to both of them and went upstairs to her room.

Rina and John walked toward the stairs.

“Merry Christmas, Rina,” he said.

“Merry Christmas to you, John. Have a good night,” she replied as she ascended.

Later, John reached his room and lay on the bed. A knock came at his door.

“Santa’s gift is here,” Aria’s voice called.

He opened it to find her standing there in a red robe. She pushed him gently back, turned off the lights, and the last thing John heard was the soft sound of her robe falling to the floor.

*****

Three hours later, they were both lying on the bed, her head resting on John’s chest while he gently played with her hair.

“Aria… there’s something I want to ask,” John said quietly. “I don’t know if this is the right time.”

“Go ahead,” she replied, still resting on his chest.

“Why are you afraid of your father?”

She lifted her head, looked at him for a moment, then shifted so they were lying side by side, her head on the pillow.

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone,” she said. “Promise.”

“I promise,” he replied calmly.

“It was Christmas night… like tonight. I was five years old and all the maids and guards were sent home home—everyone except Al.

“Rina had an accident and was hospitalized. That morning, Dad came to pick me up to visit her. He was angry and barely spoke. At the hospital, a doctor took some of my blood. After we saw my sister, Dad took me back home to my mum and my uncle. My uncle was staying with us for Christmas.

“That night, after dinner, I was already in bed. Then Dad came home—angry, shouting my mum’s and uncle’s names. They started arguing. I was too scared to leave my room, so I watched through the crack in the door.

“Suddenly, I heard a loud thud. My mum screamed, calling both my uncle’s and my dad’s names… and then she went silent.

“The last thing I heard was Dad telling Al to bring the cleaver and trash bags—and to clean up the mess.”

Her voice trembled. “My heart felt like it was going to burst. I wanted to scream, but I was terrified he’d do something to me too. When I heard him walking toward my room, I ran back to bed and hid under the blanket, pretending to sleep. He came in, sat beside me, and ran his hand over my head… then left.”

“That night, I cried silently into my pillow. From that day on, I never saw my mum or my uncle again. After that, he acted like nothing happened. Either he’s an incredible pretender… or he’s a monster. Either way, I’m deathly afraid of him.”

John frowned. “Aria… that’s a serious accusation. Are you sure it wasn’t a nightmare?”

“I’m sure,” she said firmly. “I didn’t sleep that night. I even wet the bed.”

John hesitated. “Do you think your father could be behind the Velvet Reaper case?”

She thought for a moment. “I don’t know. He’s always traveling—never in one place for long.”

“What if he’s calling the shots?” John asked.

“I don’t know,” she repeated, shaking her head.

Did he hire me to cover his tracks? Is he the ‘boss’ Vincent was talking about?

“You mentioned blood tests,” John said carefully. “Did Rina have one too? Did you ever notice marks on her arm?”

“Maybe,” Aria replied quietly. “Do you see why I’m scared of him now? He didn’t even spare his own wife or brother.”

John exhaled. “Aria… I need to report this.”

Her eyes widened. “But you promised.”

“I didn’t know how serious it was when I promised,” he said. “If he’s behind all this—”

“Because,” she interrupted, her voice breaking, “monster or not… he’s still my father. He’s the only parent I have left. If they take him away, I lose him too.”

“You’re the only man I trust, John. That’s why I told you. I never even told this to Rina.”

John was silent for a long moment. “Aria,” he finally said, “I’m not a good man either.”

She turned to him. “What do you mean?”

“You remember when you asked about my ex,” he said slowly. “When I told you my poor judgment ruined lives?”

“Yes.”

He took a breath and looked at her eyes.

“I got my brother killed.”