Dinner didn't last long, it never did when tension sat at the table like an uninvited guest.
Daniel tried, at first , Light comments, Small observations, things meant to soften the air and make it easier to breathe.
But Ariel barely responded and her grandfather—
He simply watched, patient and Waiting.
By the time the plates were cleared, Daniel stretched lightly, already sensing what neither of them had said out loud.
"Well," he muttered, pushing his chair back, "I'll see myself out."
No one stopped him.
He paused briefly beside Ariel, lowering his voice just enough.
"Don't overthink things."
She didn't respond nor did she spare him a glance.
Daniel sighed quietly to himself and left anyway, closing the door behind him.
Silence settled again, this time, there was nothing to break it.
Ariel remained standing by the table, arms loose at her sides, her posture relaxed in a way that didn't match the tension in the room.
Her grandfather stayed seated, his gaze steady on her.
"You've been avoiding me," he said at last.
"I've been working."
"That's not an answer." Ariel said nothing.
He leaned back slightly, studying her.
"You're still running."
That made her eyes lift.
"I'm not running, Grandpa, I've just been busy."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"No," he said quietly. "You disappear."
A brief silence passed.
"I didn't come here to argue," he continued. "I came to talk."
Ariel's expression didn't change ,She already knew what he wanted talking about.
"I want you to get married." The words landed gently, but they didn't feel that way.
Ariel didn't react immediately.
When she finally did, it was subtle, a slight tilt of her head, nothing more.
"No." She flatly said.
Her grandfather didn't look surprised.
"I've already made arrangements."
That made her still.
"You didn't ask me."
"I didn't get the chance," he replied, a hint of sarcasm slipping in. "You're always too busy."
Ariel's gaze hardened slightly.
"He's not just anyone," her grandfather continued calmly. "He's capable. Powerful. From a good family."
"I'm not interested."
"You don't have to be__" he said "at first " he added
For a brief second, something flickered in Ariel's eyes, annoyance, Irritation ,Something deeper.
"You're not listening," she said quietly.
"I am," he replied. "You're the one refusing to understand."
Ariel exhaled slowly and turned slightly away.
"I'm not doing this."
"You will meet him." Ariel didn't answer.
Silence stretched between them and this time, it carried history.
Five years ago, Ariel had nothing, no name no family, just survival. After Don died, everything changed, but not in the way people imagined. Freedom didn't feel like freedom, it felt like silence, She had disappeared after that.
Ariel started over, she built something new with her own hands, Medicine and control.
A life that made sense.
One random day, everything shifted again.
Her grandfather, Herold had come into the hospital for a routine check-up. He hadn't expected anything unusual, until he saw her.
At first, it was just a glance, a passing moment.
Then he looked again. The resemblance was impossible to ignore the same eyes, the same stillness, the same quiet distance his daughter used to carry.
He had asked questions, Simple and Careful ones.
And Ariel—
She had answered just enough.
It didn't take long.
Truth has a way of surfacing when someone is desperate enough to find it that was how he found her, his granddaughter.
The only thing left of the daughter he lost.
And since then, he had cherished her.
"Ariel," he said softly now.
"Do this for me."
"You know I don't have much time left," he added, his voice quieter this time. "I want to see you settled. Not alone."
Ariel closed her eyes briefly.
"Grandpa," she said, almost tired, "I'll get married when I'm ready."
He didn't believe her, he knew her too well for that.
"Meet him," he said again. "That's all I'm asking."
A long pause followed, long enough to matter.
"Fine." Ariel finally said breaking the silence.
The word surprised even him.
Ariel turned slightly, her expression back to its usual calm.
"One meeting," she added. "That's it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"That's enough."
Across the city—
Alexander stood by the window, the city stretching endlessly beneath him, lights flickering like distant signals.
A file rested in his hand.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
"Do you ever get tired of staring at those files?" Kieran said.
Alexander didn't turn.
"Do you ever get tired of talking?" Alexander said, his attention still on the file he was holding
Kieran smirked as he poured himself a drink.
"Of course not."
Silence settled briefly.
Alexander turned.
His sharp eyes moved over Kieran once.
"You're bleeding." Alex said
Kieran paused, glancing down like he had just remembered.
A faint stain marked his side.
"…It's nothing," he said lightly. "Just needs a new bandage."
Alexander didn't look convinced.
"That looks like nothing to you?"
"It's a scratch."
Alexander stepped closer, his gaze narrowing slightly.
"How deep?"
Kieran shrugged.
"Deep enough to get your attention."
That was answer enough. Alexander grabbed a clean cloth and pressed it against the wound without warning causing Kieran to hiss
"Stop getting stabbed," Alexander replied flatly.
A brief silence followed.
"You need to get that checked."
Kieran let out a quiet laugh.
"I've survived worse."
"Go to the hospital." Alex said
Kieran studied him for a moment then smirked.
"Worried about me?"
"No."
"I'm protecting my investment." Alexander said
Kieran laughed properly this time.
"Now that sounds like you."
He stood, adjusting his shirt like nothing had happened.
"Fine. I'll go."
"But if they try to admit me, I'm leaving."
"I don't care what you do after they fix it."
Kieran started toward the door then stopped,
Turned slightly.
"You could come with me."
Alexander didn't move.
"No."
Kieran smirked.
"Thought so."
He left.
The room fell quiet again.