Clarissa headed straight to the small garden behind the villa as soon as she arrived-it was where Margaret usually spent her afternoons.
By the time Clarissa got there, everything was already set-delicate snacks and freshly brewed tea.
Margaret was always refined, and she lived each day with a kind of quiet elegance. Malcolm Hamilton had treated her the same way for decades.
Clarissa could never quite figure out how two such impressive people ended up with someone like Sebastian.
As soon as Margaret saw her, she greeted her warmly. Clarissa, as naturally as ever, walked over and sat down on the low chair to the side.
Margaret carried herself with grace, and her every movement had that unmistakable aura of old-money sophistication.
Steam curled from the teacups on the table, the scent of black tea fragrant in the air.
Clarissa took a sip, smiled lightly, and asked, "Madam, is this tea new?"
Margaret saw she noticed and didn't bother hiding it. "Sebastian sent it over. No idea what he's busy with these days... and why he didn't bring you along."
Clarissa froze slightly, fingers tightening just a bit around the teacup.
Clearly, Sebastian hadn't told his mother about the trip to Hawaii with Aria.
And honestly, even just hearing his name-let alone drinking tea he picked-made her skin crawl lately.
Clarissa didn't want to talk about Sebastian. And it definitely wasn't the right time to bring up her engagement.
So, she smoothly switched topics. "Actually, Margaret, I've been learning a new tea-art set lately. Mind giving me a few tips?"
Margaret would never say no to that. Clarissa had always had a knack for tea-making since she was little, something Margaret adored about her.
So she smiled gently and said, "Of course, I'd love that. If you end up liking this tea, why not take some home later?"
Clarissa shook her head. "No, that's okay."
The refusal came so fast it felt instinctive.
Margaret caught it. After all, she'd lived long enough to notice these things-more years and more insight than the younger ones could match.
She asked carefully, "Did you and Sebastian have a fight?"
She knew Clarissa had been in love with Sebastian for a long, long time. So she didn't jump straight to asking if they'd broken up.
When Clarissa and Sebastian first got together, no one had been more thrilled than Margaret.
She had always treated Clarissa with genuine warmth. To Clarissa, she was almost like a second mother.
Margaret always reminded Clarissa of her own soft-spoken and kind-hearted mom.
When Clarissa didn't reply, Margaret sighed.
Her voice carried a hint of sadness. "You're just like your mother-too gentle for your own good. Always swallowing your feelings. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. I'll have a word with Sebastian when he's back."
She gave Clarissa's hand a soft pat, full of affection.
Whenever Clarissa came to visit, Margaret could instantly tell if she was feeling down. She used to blame Sebastian for that, which over time made him think Clarissa was always going home to complain.
Now that they'd broken up, Clarissa actually felt more at ease. At least there'd be no more misunderstandings on his part.
She gave a small, calm smile. "We broke up."
Her tone was flat-not the tearful, heartbroken kind.
"You... you broke up?" Margaret was clearly taken aback.
It took her a moment to come to terms with it.
Then she asked quietly, "Did Sebastian do something that really upset you?"
Even though he was her own son, Margaret knew better than anyone what kind of person Sebastian was. If someone like Clarissa really wanted out for good, then he must've seriously screwed up.
Clarissa hadn't planned on saying anything-it wasn't her place. Margaret would know the truth soon enough when Sebastian came back. And he'd definitely bring Aria with him.
But dragging things out would just make things messier. And then there was Elian-keeping things hidden from him forever wasn't fair.
"Margaret, do you know Sebastian's in Hawaii?" Clarissa asked casually, unlocking her phone.
She pulled up a photo and handed it over with a small smile.
"You recognize this girl, right? Sebastian never really liked me. He just went along with everything because of pressure from both our families. But there was nothing real there-feelings like that don't last. He's always had a soft spot for Aria."
"She's been getting treatment overseas for years, and his medical charity work? That's never stopped. They've been tangled up for so long, I've lost count. It's messy and I'm tired of it. So, Margaret, just let it be. There's no chance for us."
She got it all out in one breath. If she didn't lay it all out, Margaret might keep trying to play matchmaker.
Being stuck between Margaret and Sebastian had worn her down.
Margaret zoomed in and out on the picture several times, her face darkening each time. There was no denying it-that really was Sebastian and Aria.
Her jaw clenched. She looked like she wanted to march over and beat Sebastian with her own hands.
"Margaret, don't get mad. Try to think of it another way. He should be with the person he actually likes, right? Honestly, he seemed miserable when we were together. And look, I know my parents asked you to look after me, and I appreciate that. But I don't need to marry Sebastian for that to matter. Even without him in my life, I'll still see you and Malcolm as family."
She smiled as she said it. Talking about Sebastian didn't hurt the way she thought it might. If anything, she just felt a bit relieved.
Margaret's face softened a little. She shook her head with a heavy sigh before finally saying, "He owes you. From now on, keep your distance. I won't try to push anything again."
She gently brushed a strand of hair away from Clarissa's cheek, her heart sinking. She had a bad feeling-that without Clarissa, Sebastian would regret it for the rest of his life.
The air had turned awkward, and with dusk setting in, Margaret didn't ask Clarissa to stay for dinner.
As Clarissa was heading out, she bumped into Malcolm coming home.
She greeted him politely, "Hi, Malcolm."
Always the warm one, he nodded and smiled. "Here to see Sebastian? He hasn't been around-probably caught up with work."
Margaret shot him a glare from the side. Clarissa only smiled, not taking it to heart.
"I actually came to check on Margaret. Bye."
*****
After Clarissa left, Margaret turned to her husband. "Next time Clarissa visits, don't you dare bring up our sorry excuse for a son."
Seeing how furious she was, Malcolm's tone softened. "What happened?"
Margaret was fuming, her voice shaky from anger. "They broke up! She told me herself-and asked me not to try and set them up anymore. Do you even realize your idiot son went off to vacation with that ex of his? Does he have no shame? I am so done. Having a son like him is the biggest regret of my life."
And with that, she stormed off to her room, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoed through the house.
