The week melted away like sugar in warm tea.
Rose couldn't believe how fast it had gone. One minute she was stepping into the Carter mansion after a draining emotional break, and the next she was already folding her clothes and tucking them back into her modest travel bag. Part of her wasn't ready to leave. The mansion, for all its grandeur and quiet chaos, had offered her a strange sense of peace—something like still water after a storm. But another part of her longed for her brother's sarcasm and Aunty Adeline's overly sweet tea. Home, even if it was temporary, called her back.
She wheeled her suitcase towards the car waiting at the front gate, her fingers grazing the fabric handle like it might float away without her. Just as she reached the passenger side door, a small voice called out behind her.
"Wait!"
Rose turned, catching a glimpse of Vivienne darting across the courtyard. The girl's ponytail bounced as she ran, clutching a small pink container like it held the most sacred treasure in the world. When she finally reached Rose, she grinned and held it out.
"I made this for you," Vivienne said proudly.
Rose blinked, taking the container and opening it. Inside, nestled like a soft secret, was a single cupcake. Its frosting was imperfect, slightly lopsided, and decorated with a tiny sugar flower that looked like it had been through a minor war—but it was beautiful.
"You did this?" Rose asked, smiling with a mixture of pride and surprise.
Vivienne nodded eagerly. "All by myself. No help at all."
Rose couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'm so proud of you, cupcake."
She meant it—deep in her chest, she felt the warmth of it. She had taught Vivienne how to bake. Just as her own mother had once taught her. It was a small thing—just flour and eggs and love—but to Rose, it was everything. She'd been terrified of becoming nothing. And now, here was proof that she'd made an impact, even if it was just one messy cupcake.
"Keep practicing," she told Vivienne, giving her a light hug. "Someday you'll be even better than me."
"I doubt it," Vivienne said, blushing.
Rose stepped into the car and waved goodbye as Laurence, ever the patient driver, smoothly pulled away from the mansion. As the gates closed behind her, Rose glanced back one more time.
"So…" she started, turning to Laurence, "you're going back now, right?"
Laurence shook his head lightly. "Actually, Miss, I've been given instructions to be on standby. You call, I drive. Wherever you want to go, I take you."
Rose blinked, surprised. "Who told you that?"
He handed her a sleek, matte black card with silver lettering. "Sir Carter Jr. He said you might need assistance now and then."
Her fingers hesitated around the card before she accepted it. She mumbled a quiet thanks and tucked it into her bag, unsure of how she felt about the gesture—comforted… or watched?
When they reached home, Daniel came out in his usual animated energy, rushing down to help with her bag.
"Welcome back, Rosebud," he grinned.
Then his eyes landed on the pink container. "Ooooh, is that what I think it is?"
Rose tried to pull it away, but she wasn't fast enough. Daniel had already snatched the cupcake and taken a bite. His eyes widened.
"Yo! What in the sugar gods is this?! This is fire!"
Rose rolled her eyes but chuckled. "That's my student's work."
"You mean the spoiled brat you nanny? No way she made this."
"She's not spoiled anymore," Rose said with pride. "She's learning. She's growing."
Daniel nodded slowly, still chewing. "Well, tell her I'm her biggest fan now."
They spent the rest of the evening catching up, with Rose recounting stories of Flourish's intense stares, Vivienne's baking trials, and Laurence's eerie professionalism. But soon, the cabin fever kicked in again.
"I need to get out," she declared the next morning. "Let's go to the mall."
Daniel raised a brow. "Just us? Shouldn't we make sure Adeline's okay on her own?"
"She's fine," Rose waved it off. "She's got her mystery novels and tea. Come on, let's not waste the day."
They dressed and left the apartment, standing at the sidewalk to catch a taxi. The sun was warm, the street buzzing with quiet life.
Then, out of nowhere, a sleek black luxury car rolled to a slow stop just feet away.
Rose's body tensed.
Daniel noticed it too. He stepped slightly in front of her, eyes narrowing. "You know that car?"
Rose shook her head, lips parted slightly. "No. But it looks familiar…"
The door opened, and out stepped someone neither of them had seen in what felt like a lifetime.
Vincent.
Tall, sharp-jawed, and dressed like he'd just walked out of a mafia movie, their older brother offered a hesitant smile.
"Hey."
Rose blinked, but said nothing. Daniel immediately grabbed her wrist. "Let's wait somewhere else."
They started to move, but Vincent stepped forward. "Please. I'm not here for drama. I just… want to talk."
Daniel turned halfway. "Talk? After years of silence? After watching us leave and never saying a word?"
"I didn't know," Vincent admitted, his voice low. "About what happened. I thought you were being stubborn. I thought… it was something else. I didn't know father… disowned you."
Rose met his eyes. "So what do you want now?"
"Lunch. Just a conversation. I won't pressure you again if you say no."
The siblings exchanged a glance. Daniel still looked like he wanted to punch something. But Rose slowly nodded.
"Okay. But if you're lying or pulling anything—"
"I'm not," Vincent cut in.
He held the door open.
After a few seconds of hesitation, they got in.
And as the car pulled away from the mall and toward the quiet restaurant tucked in the city's heart, a strange energy sat between them.
Not anger. Not forgiveness.
But the beginning of something.
Something uncertain.