Falling For The True Heiress

Sylvia pushed the door open and stepped into the reception lobby.

The cool air from the air conditioner brushed against her skin as she walked. The quiet hum of the building mixed with the faint sounds of people talking somewhere behind the reception desk.

She didn’t stop.

She walked toward the staircase, her footsteps tapping softly against the floor as she climbed.

When she reached the upper floor, she turned into the hallway and walked toward her father’s room.

Her pace slowed as she approached.

She stopped in front of the door and lifted her eyes to the room number above it.

For a moment, she simply stood there and took a slow breath before raising her hand.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

She waited.

When no one answered immediately, Sylvia gently pushed the door open.

She stepped inside, letting the door close quietly behind her.

"Mom, Dad," Sylvia called as she walked into the room.

Stella was sitting in the chair beside the bed. She turned toward the door when she heard Sylvia’s voice, and her face immediately brightened with a warm smile.

"Ohh, honey. How are you?"

"I’m fine, Mom," Sylvia replied as she walked toward the bed.

She stopped beside her father, glancing at him before sitting on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped slightly beneath her weight.

Mr. Winston smiled when he saw her.

"Where’s your sister?"

That word again.

Your sister.

Sylvia felt a small knot form in her chest, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside and returned his smile.

"She went for training."

Stella’s eyebrows lifted. "Which training?"

Sylvia looked at her. "Esports."

Mr. Winston nodded as he reached for his phone beside the pillow.

"Dad, how are you doing?" Sylvia asked, turning toward him.

He let out a deep breath and leaned back against the pillow. His fingers rested loosely around his phone as he looked at her.

"I’m okay. The doctor checked me last night and said I can be discharged anytime, but I won’t be able to go back to work anytime soon."

Sylvia nodded slowly, her eyes moving over him for a moment. She could still see the tiredness in his face, even though he was trying not to show it.

"So when do you want to be discharged?"

Mr. Winston’s lips curved into a smile. Instead of answering her directly, he turned his head toward Stella.

"That depends entirely on my wife."

"Ohhh." Sylvia rolled her eyes, unable to stop the small smile that appeared on her face. "Always showing off your wife," she whispered under her breath.

"I heard that," Stella said, laughing softly.

Sylvia laughed and shook her head.

Her parents were always like this.

She stood up and adjusted her clothes before picking up her handbag.

"Mom, I’m going to visit my foster parents."

"Ohh, okay." Stella smiled warmly. "Drive safely, then."

"I will."

"Send our regards to them," Mr. Winston added.

Sylvia nodded. "I will. Bye."

"Bye, darling," Stella said, lifting her hand in a small wave.

Sylvia smiled at both of them before turning toward the door.

Her fingers wrapped around the handle, but she paused for a second.

She looked back.

Stella was still watching her with a gentle smile, while Mr. Winston had already lowered his gaze to his phone.

Something about the sight made Sylvia smile.

She lifted her hand and waved one last time.

They waved back.

She finally opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

The quiet hospital corridor immediately surrounded her. The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the cool air, while the soft sounds of footsteps and distant voices drifted from farther down the hall.

Sylvia pulled the door closed behind her.

Click.

She adjusted the strap of her handbag on her shoulder and started walking toward the staircase.

She had barely taken a few steps when her phone suddenly vibrated inside her bag.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

She stopped and frowned.

"Who is calling me now?" she murmured.

She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. The screen was already glowing in her hand. Sylvia glanced down at the caller ID.

She swiped across the screen and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hey, little sis." A man’s voice came through the phone.

"Hey, Cleric," Sylvia replied as she walked down the hallway toward the staircase.

The hospital corridor was quiet now. The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the cool air.

"Where are you?" Cleric asked.

"Any problem?"

"Yes. I want to have your time today."

Sylvia smiled as she reached the staircase. She rested one hand lightly on the railing and started walking down.

"I’m sorry, but Venny has me today."

"Little sis, don’t do this to me, please."

Sylvia couldn’t help laughing softly.

She knew that voice.

Cleric always used that soft, pleading tone whenever he wanted her to give in. Normally, it worked.

But not today.

"Don’t use that voice that you know I can’t resist," she said, shaking her head as she continued down the stairs. "Because I can actually resist it this time."

She reached the bottom of the stairs and adjusted the strap of her handbag on her shoulder.

"My girlfriend’s voice is much cuter." She shrugged casually, though the smile on her face grew wider.

"Wow. So you’ve really abandoned your big brother now?" Cleric complained through the phone.

Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Don’t start."

She continued toward the hospital exit. The sounds of distant conversations and rolling hospital carts faded behind her as the glass doors came into view.

"You’ve changed, little sis."

"I have a girlfriend now. I’m allowed to change."

"Still choosing her over me?"

"Today? Yes."

Cleric sighed dramatically.

Sylvia laughed under her breath as she pushed open the glass door.

Warm morning air immediately brushed against her face, replacing the cool, sterile air inside. The distant sound of car engines and soft traffic filled the parking area.

She stepped outside, still holding the phone to her ear, and glanced across the parking lot.

"Owww. Must you rub it in my face just because I’m still single?" Cleric groaned dramatically. "I can’t wait to see who took my place in your heart."

Sylvia laughed softly.

"Soon. She’s just busy for now," Sylvia said, unable to hide the smile in her voice.

"Seriously?" Cleric’s voice brightened instantly. "That’s nice. And Aldorin and Vastin are coming back from Bangladesh today too."

Sylvia’s steps slowed for a moment.

"Wow." Her smile widened. "I can’t wait. I really missed them."

The thought of seeing Aldorin and Vastin again brought warmth to her chest.

She could already imagine the teasing, the laughter, and the noise they would make once they were all together again.

"You know they’ll probably tease you the moment they see you," Cleric said.

Sylvia laughed softly. "I know. That’s exactly what I missed."

Cleric laughed. "Drive safely, little sis."

"I will. Okay, bye then."

"Bye," Cleric said and ended the call.

Sylvia lowered her phone and slipped it back into her handbag. For a moment, she stood there, letting the morning breeze move gently through her hair.

The sunlight reflected off the windshields of the parked cars, making her squint slightly.

She took a slow breath.

Going home suddenly didn’t feel like just another trip.

She was going to see everyone again. And after everything that had happened lately, Sylvia realized just how much she had missed having them around.

A small smile returned to her lips as she walked toward her car.

Sylvia reached her car and pressed the key fob.

Beep.

Beep.

The headlights flashed, and the locks clicked open.

She walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door. The warm leather seat touched the back of her legs as she slipped inside.

She placed her crossbody bag on the passenger seat and closed the door behind her.

Click.

The sounds from the hospital faded away, leaving the car quiet around her. The cool air from the AC flowed around her, carrying the soft scent of leather and her perfume.

Sylvia rested her hands on the steering wheel and took a deep breath.

She started the engine.

The car came to life with a soft hum, and she felt the gentle vibration beneath her.

She adjusted the mirror, pulled the seat belt across her body, and glanced at herself in the mirror.

She was still smiling.

Sylvia stared at her reflection for a few seconds before shaking her head.

"Cleric is really turning me into someone else," she muttered with a small laugh.

Sylvia shifted the car into drive and slowly pulled out of the parking space.

She glanced at the road before joining the traffic. The morning sun was already bright, warming the dashboard as she drove.

She lowered the volume of the music playing through the speakers and rested one hand on the steering wheel.

Her thoughts went back to Cleric’s call.

Aldorin and Vastin were coming home today.

She smiled.

It had been a long time since all of them had been together, and she was already looking forward to seeing them.

Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Sylvia glanced at it briefly.

Amelia: Are you on your way home?

A smile immediately appeared on her face.

When she reached the next red light, she picked up the phone and typed a quick reply.

Sylvia: Yes. I just left the hospital.

A few seconds later, another message came in.

Amelia: Okay. Drive safely, babe.

Sylvia smiled at the screen before typing back.

Sylvia: I will. Miss you.

She placed the phone back on the passenger seat and waited for the light to change.

When it did, she drove on.

The cool air from the vents brushed against her face, and the soft music filled the car again.

She couldn’t help smiling.

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