Regan leaned against the wall, hiding in the shadows, holding the items intended for Charlotte’s room. Her gaze was unusually calm.
“Regan?” Sienna approached from a distance, her eyes sharp.
Regan snapped back to reality. “Mother.”
“Why are you standing here?”
“I felt a bit lightheaded, just taking a moment.”
Sienna didn’t doubt her. She opened the box in Regan’s hands, revealing a pair of earrings and a ring, made of pure gold, specifically for Charlotte.
“I’ll take them in,” Regan quickly offered.
“Wait,” Sienna took the box. “I’ll do it. You should rest; today will be busy.”
Regan nodded and walked away. After a few steps, she looked back, suddenly feeling that Sienna’s figure seemed a bit lonely.
Sienna put the box away and knocked on Charlotte’s door. “Maeve.”
“Mother!” Charlotte greeted her with a bright smile.
Sienna looked her over and nodded approvingly. “You look beautiful.”
Charlotte blushed slightly.
Sienna gestured for her to sit down, picked up a wooden comb from the table, and began to gently comb her long hair. “You’re getting married soon. You won’t be able to do as you please like you did at home. You must always be cautious.”
A warm feeling washed over Charlotte. “Nelson will be good to me.”
“It’s one thing for him to be good to you, but don’t be too naive.” Sienna spoke calmly, offering motherly advice before her daughter’s marriage. “What happened at the last art exhibition must never happen again, no matter the reason. Do you understand?”
Charlotte’s face darkened at the mention of this. “I know…”
She felt more regret than anything else. If it hadn’t been for Callie’s scheme, her reputation wouldn’t have been ruined so much.
She forced a smile and patted Sienna’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mother. It won’t happen again.” She wouldn’t be tricked again.
Sienna smiled slightly, looking at Charlotte in the mirror, but felt a strange sense of detachment, lacking the usual maternal affection.
“Mother, is there something else?” Charlotte asked cautiously, sensing Sienna had more to say.
Sienna lowered her gaze. For some reason, she didn’t take out the box but said instead, “From now on, you’re not just the eldest daughter of the Ellison family; you’re also Mrs. Oconnor. You bear dual identities and must be even more careful. Maeve, is there anything you’ve hidden from us? If there is, tell us so we can handle it.”
Charlotte’s expression stiffened for a moment. “No.”
“I mean anything from before you returned to the Ellison family. Over the years, is there anything you couldn’t tell anyone? I’m your mother; you can trust me.”
Charlotte’s heart raced. “… Really, there’s nothing. Why are you asking?”
Sienna paused in her combing. “You know, any mistake can be forgiven and corrected if you admit it in time. It’s not too late to stop any losses now.”
Charlotte’s fingers tightened under her dress, but she maintained her composure. “Mother, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Sienna didn’t press further. “It’s good if there’s nothing.”
“… How is Father? Is he feeling better? Will he attend the ceremony?”
“Of course.”
Sienna left the room and looked at the box again but decided not to give it to Charlotte.
At that moment, a servant approached and whispered, “Karlee arrived on the earliest train to Ylosea today. Our people stopped her. She had someone with her.”
“Who?”
“Callie’s brother, Joaquin.”