HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 82: Happy New Year! (Special - from Author-san!)
*Happy New Year 2025 in Advance, Dear Readers. Enjoy the Chapter!*
****
’’Jason, I bought your favorite comics.’’
’’...’’
’’It’s the latest editions.’’
’’.....’’
’’I truly am sorry, Jason.’’
’’Hmph!’’ Jason snorted and crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes pointedly at his elder sister. ’’if you were, you wouldn’t have missed Christmas morning and chosen a stranger over your little brother.’’
’’Pfft!’’
Ayana glanced at her first cousin on the side, pretending to be engrossed in a book. His lips twitched as if he were suppressing laughter.
Noah caught her stare and coughed out deliberately to avoid her gaze.
’’Don’t mind me.’’ He waved dismissively. ’’You brother and sister can carry on.’’
His eyes were focused on his book, but his ears were obviously not.
’’...’’ Ayana blatantly ignored him. She knew that Noah would definitely not offer help in placating her little brother’s anger.
She took a small deep breath before saying. ’’I didn’t choose a stranger over you, Jason.’’ She paused, then added. ’’Axel is also not a stranger.’’
Jason glared at her. ’’Well, he is to me.’’
’’He’s Big brother Matt’s best friend.’’ Ayana frankly pointed out. ’’He’s also the grandson of grandfather Kratos who has always sent us birthday gifts.’’
’’...’’
’’W-Well, I’ve never met him, so he’s still a stranger!’’ Jason huffed, still determined to have the last word. "Even if he wasn’t a stranger, you still missed Christmas eve and Christmas morning for him. That’s not fair!’’
Who cared if this fiancé of his elder sister had a good relationship with their family? he still wasn’t going to forgive her for missing part of the holidays.
’’You’re always busy when I’m on breaks from school.’’ He grumbled softly, with his eyes lowered slightly.
’’.....’’
Okay, that was very deep.
Ayana accepted that she might have been wrong in this. She had said to Jason that she would try to come home early on Christmas eve. Then she suddenly backed off and did not arrive until Christmas noon.
Jason was still a kid. From his perspective, she was treating him less than her fiancé, who was practically still a stranger to him.
Her busy schedule at work also did not help the situation. Even in his summer breaks, she had always been as busy as a bee.
Jason had been very understanding of her work, but not when she suddenly backed out of their Christmas eve and morning.
"I messed up, Jason," she admitted softly, staring at the sulky eleven-year-old. "You’re right. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you."
Jason didn’t respond right away, but his gaze dropped to the floor.
"I’ll try not to let it happen again." Ayana added sincerely.
"...Promise?" Jason mumbled, his voice still tinged with stubbornness.
’’I can’t make promises, Jason.’’ Ayana did not entirely agree. ’’I might break it and I don’t want to hurt anymore in the future.’’
’’But you said you did not choose a stranger over me.’’ Jason grumbled once more.
’’I can never choose anyone over you, Jason.’’ Ayana stated clearly. ’’You are my family, and no one is more important than you to me.’’
Jason glanced up at her, his expression softening ever so slightly.
"I may not make promises, but if I miss another one of our holidays, I’ll make it up to you. How about we go somewhere and buy what you want till the new year? Wherever you want to go."
’’...Really?’’ Jason looked a bit doubtful at her. His elder sister was not one to blindly indulge him.
’’Really.’’ Ayana confirmed with a smile.
’’....but your work....’’ He was still concerned with her work. Jason understood first-hand how busy his elder sister could be at times.
’’It’s Christmas, Jason.’’ Ayana explained. ’’Most people aren’t working, and I can get what I need to do done from home. Besides, I’m not going back to the office until the new year.’’
’’So I can buy anything I want sis?’’ He still wanted to be very sure. Who knows if this was a trick from his elder sister to punish him by taking away his video games?
Ayana chuckled, noticing the cautiousness on his face. ’’Of course, but it must be reasonable, Jason.’’
’’You said anything....’’
’’I mean something that you really want.’’ She clarified. ’’Even if our family is rich, we can’t waste money. Do you see and I your big brother spending money carelessly?’’
’’...No, but other kids at school have phones and smartwatches....’’
’’You have a tablet and many video games, Jason.’’ Ayana said curtly. ’’That’s enough gadgets for you until you’re sixteen.’’
’’...Can we go to the park and the zoo?’’ He tried again.
’’Anywhere that you want to go, Jason.’’ She could accept this as long as it was something suitable for his age. ’’I won’t to go to office until the new year so let’s do what you want, Jason.’’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
’’....Okay, then I forgive you, sis.’’ Jason agreed, finally letting his arms drop.
’’Thank you, Jason.’’
’’But I don’t forgive that person.’’ He still did not let go of his grudge. ’’Even if he’s your fiancé, he’s not supposed to take you away. Big brother said men are always men. He must have done some funny business with you because you spent the whole night with him.’’
’’Pfft!’’ Another laugh/cough came from Noah’s way.
At the same time, Ayana almost choked on her own breath. She stared at Jason as if she was looking at a monster.
’’Geez! AHAHAHA!’’ Noah could not hold his amusement any longer and bursted out laughing. He clutched his stomach, and the book with him tumbled down to the ground. Tears brimmed around down his eyes as his laughter echoed in the room.
’’Oh Jason!’’
Ayana would have glared at him because he was the direct cause of this one. But, she fixed her stare intently on Jason, who met hers with innocent eyes.
Did he even know the real meaning of his words? If he did, then she might need to rethink hers, and Noah’s upbringing of Jason. If not, then Noah needed to be careful of speaking carelessly around the eleven-year-old.
’’What? Did I say something wrong, sis?’’ Jason asked earnestly, glancing between his hysterical big brother and elder sister, whose expression had shifted into something both amused and exasperated.
Ayana took a deep breath to steady herself, then called out. ’’Jason.’’
"Yes, sis?"
"Never repeat your big brother’s words again," Ayana said seriously.
’’...’’
****
Days flew by after the twenty-fifth. As Ayana guaranteed, Jason got to enjoy himself with her, and also Noah. They practically had family trips almost every day.
The zoo, the park, the movies...wherever Jason wanted to go with them, she indulged him as long as they were reasonable demands. The bright smiles on his flushed faces told her that she was doing the right thing.
After a very long time, Ayana spent her days leisurely, and before one could tell, the New year’s eve suddenly arrived.
’’3...’’
’’2...’’
’’1...’’
’’Happy New Year!’’
Ayana counted down with Jason, Noah and the rest of the servants who decided to spend their new year with them. The parlor erupted into cheers and warmth as the clock struck midnight, and the fireworks blasted into the skies on the live broadcast.
’’Happy New Year Young miss!’’
’’Happy New Year Young masters!
’’Happy New Year, everyone.’’ Ayana returned the wishes from the servants of the mansion.
’’Happy New Year, sis!’’ Jason hugged her happily.
’’Happy New Year, Jason.’’ Ayana hugged him back with a warm smile.
’’Hey, why do you always run to your sister first when I’m oldest?’’
’’Happy New Year, big brother!’’ Of course, Jason could never forget his big brother Noah who has always been with him.
Noah let out a chuckle as his eyes softened at the pair of siblings.
’’Happy New Year, little guy.’’ His fingers ruffled through eleven-year-old curls.
’’Happy New Year, Young miss, Young masters.’’ Nanny Hilda, now much older than years ago, smiled sincerely at them with her frail and aging body on the couch. ’’The late Master and Madam are happy to witness another year watching their children grow up.’’
’’Happy New Year, Nanny!’’
’’Happy New Year, ma’am.’’ Noah and Jason offered their wishes, respectively.
Ever since Jason had grown up and Noah and Ayana could care take of him, Ayana decided to let their Nanny retire and enjoy the rest of life in good health.
The old woman has been around since her mother’s time. It was best to let her go and enjoy the rest of her life.
Besides, Paige, her granddaughter, was still around and their Nanny still stopped by to check up on them.
’’Happy New Year, Nanny.’’ Ayana was the last to reply, her voice soft with a bit of nostalgia. Her eyes clouded with some past memories of her Nanny, but the New year wasn’t one for her to cry.
She should be happy that she had gotten the chance to change many lives.
Even if her revenge delayed for this long because of lack of evidence, Ayana still felt fulfilled by seeing the people she cared about alive and healthy.
’’Happy New Year, Young miss.’’
Ayana turned over to Sam, who came up to her in casual clothes. ’’We will discover the truth soon this year, Young miss.’’ He promised with a strong resolve.
’’Thank you for your hard work all this time, Sam.’’ She appreciated his kind gesture.
*Bzzt* *Bzzt*
Just then, her phone vibrated from the pocket of her joggers. Ayana took out the device and saw a familiar name flashing across the screen.
’’Excuse me...’’ She said to no one in particular and slipped out of the room.
’’That should be our future son-in-law.’’ From behind, her ears caught Noah’s playful remarks.
’’When will we be expecting our future first young madam, first young master?’’
’’...’’
Ayana couldn’t help but chuckle slightly as she walked away. Now, Noah could enjoy the taste of his own medicine.
Swiping the green button on her phone, she was greeted by a familiar voice near her ear. "Happy New Year, Ayana."
"Happy New Year, Axel." she replied, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"Let’s make this year an unforgettable one." he said, his voice warm and steady. "Hopefully, we could get married before the end.’’
If it were before, Ayana would have tried to dodge such, especially the mention of marriage. But now, her heart was calmer, more at ease. Perhaps it was because she had told bits of her past life, even if it wasn’t the half of everything.
’’We’ll see, Axel.’’ Her smile deepened as her heart bore a small anticipation for the new year.
***
Short greetings from the main characters-
Ayana Kingston: Happy New Year, dear readers. Thank you for reading my story.
Axel Kratos: Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you for reading this wonderful story featuring my life and future wife’s.
Ayana Kingston: ...*faint blush*
