Falling For The True Heiress

By the time Sylvia reached the familiar street leading to her foster parents’ house, the morning sun had climbed higher into the sky.

She slowed the car as the large iron gates came into view.

The house stood behind them, surrounded by tall trees and neatly trimmed hedges. The wide driveway curved through the beautifully maintained compound, with colorful flowers lining both sides. The white exterior of the house looked bright under the sunlight, with large windows reflecting the clear morning sky.

A small fountain stood in the middle of the front courtyard, its water flowing gently and creating a soft, calming sound.

Sylvia smiled as the memories came rushing back.

This place had always felt different from every other house she had known.

It felt like home.

She got down from the car and pressed the remote, and the large gates slowly opened.

The familiar mechanical sound made her smile. She got back into the car and drove through, following the driveway toward the house.

She spotted a few cars parked near the entrance and knew Cleric hadn’t been joking about everyone being around.

"Looks like they really are home," she murmured.

Sylvia parked near the front steps and switched off the engine. The soft hum of the car faded, leaving only the faint sounds of the fountain and birds around the compound.

She unfastened her seat belt and reached for her crossbody bag on the passenger seat. After slipping the strap over her shoulder, she opened the driver’s door and stepped out.

The warm morning air immediately touched her skin. She closed the door behind her and stood beside the car for a moment, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

Then she reached into her bag, pulled out the key fob, and pressed the button.

Beep.

The headlights flashed, and the doors locked with a soft click.

Sylvia slipped the key fob back into her bag and turned toward the house.

Before she could take more than a few steps, the front door suddenly flew open.

Venny rushed outside.

He must have heard the sound of Sylvia’s car pulling into the compound.

His eyes immediately found Sylvia.

"Sylvia!"

A wide smile spread across Venny’s face as he hurried down the steps.

Sylvia barely had time to react before Venny reached her.

"You’re here!"

Venny wrapped both arms around her.

Sylvia laughed, stumbling slightly from the force of the hug before wrapping her arms around Venny’s back.

"I told you I was coming."

"I know, but I didn’t expect you this soon."

Venny pulled back just enough to look at her face.

"I missed you."

Sylvia smiled softly. "I missed you too."

The warm morning breeze moved between them, carrying the sweet scent of flowers from the garden. Somewhere nearby, the fountain continued to trickle, mixing with the faint sounds of birds in the trees.

Venny reached for her hand. "Come inside. Everyone is waiting for you, little sis."

Sylvia glanced toward the house.

"Everyone?"

Venny nodded. "Cleric has been talking about you since morning."

Sylvia groaned. "Of course he has."

Venny laughed and pulled her gently toward the house. Sylvia followed him up the steps, her smile growing as the familiar voices inside became clearer.

She could already hear laughter coming from the living room.

Someone was arguing. Another person was complaining loudly.

It was noisy. It was chaotic.

It was exactly how she remembered it.

Sylvia slowed for a moment at the entrance, taking it all in. After everything that had happened lately, she hadn’t realized how much she had missed this place until now.

She squeezed Venny’s hand. "Let’s go inside."

Venny smiled. "Welcome back home."

Venny opened the front door wider and pulled Sylvia inside. The familiar warmth of the house immediately surrounded her. The cool air from the air conditioner brushed against her skin, carrying the faint scent of fresh flowers and whatever food had been prepared in the kitchen.

The reception area looked almost exactly the way Sylvia remembered it. The polished marble floor reflected the light from the large chandelier above, while the cream-colored walls were decorated with framed family photographs.

She barely had time to look around before a loud voice came from the living room.

"Finally!"

Sylvia smiled. She knew that voice.

Cleric appeared first, walking into the reception area with his arms spread wide.

"There she is. My favorite little sister."

Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "Favorite?"

"Obviously."

"You have no other sister."

Cleric placed a hand over his chest. "Exactly. That makes you automatically the favorite."

Sylvia laughed and shook her head. "You’re impossible."

He walked toward her and pulled her into a quick hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

He released her and looked at Venny. "See? She still loves me."

Venny rolled his eyes. "Don’t get too excited."

Cleric laughed.

Before Sylvia could respond, another voice came from the living room.

"Is that Sylvia?"

Her smile widened. She turned toward the voice just as two familiar figures appeared at the entrance.

Aldorin stopped the moment he saw her.

For a second, they simply stared at each other.

Then his face broke into a huge smile.

"Sylvia!"

He walked quickly toward her. Sylvia barely managed to open her arms before he pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh my God, I missed you."

She laughed against his shoulder. "I missed you too."

Aldorin pulled away and held her by the shoulders, looking at her carefully.

"Look at you."

"You’ve changed."

Cleric immediately laughed from behind them. "That’s what I told her."

Sylvia turned around. "Changed how?"

Aldorin grinned. "You look happier."

Her expression softened. Before she could answer, Vastin stepped forward.

"Don’t leave me out."

Sylvia laughed as he pulled her into another hug.

"Welcome back," she whispered.

Vastin squeezed her shoulders. "It’s good to be home."

The simple words made Sylvia smile. For a moment, she stood there surrounded by people she had missed more than she realized.

The teasing. The laughter. The familiar voices.

It made the house feel alive again.

Venny slipped his fingers between Sylvia’s. "Come on. You haven’t even seen everyone properly yet."

"Wait." Sylvia looked around. "Where are the others?"

"Living room," Cleric answered. "And before you ask, yes, there’s food."

Sylvia laughed. "Of course that’s what you noticed. Food is important."

Aldorin shook his head. "Nothing has changed."

They all laughed as they walked toward the living room. The moment Sylvia entered, several heads turned toward her.

For a second, the room went quiet. Then everyone started talking at once.

"Sylvia!"

"When did you get here?"

"Come sit down."

"Did you eat?"

"How was the hospital?"

Sylvia laughed, raising both hands. "One at a time!"

Venny laughed beside her. "See? I told you they missed you."

Sylvia looked around the room. The familiar sofa, the glass coffee table covered with snacks, the soft cushions, the large television mounted on the wall—all of it brought back memories.

She slowly walked farther inside and dropped her bag onto the sofa.

Cleric immediately pointed at her. "Don’t think you’re escaping."

Sylvia turned toward him. "Escaping from what?"

He smiled. "Your interrogation."

She narrowed her eyes. "What interrogation?"

Aldorin leaned back against the sofa. "The girlfriend interrogation."

Sylvia froze.

Venny covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

"Oh no." Sylvia looked at all of them. "You people are unbelievable."

Cleric grinned. "You’ve been hiding her from us."

"I haven’t been hiding anyone."

"Then tell us everything."

Sylvia crossed her arms. "There’s nothing to tell."

Everyone started laughing.

Venny stepped closer and wrapped an arm around Sylvia’s waist. "Leave her alone."

Cleric pointed at Venny. "You’re defending her?"

"Of course."

"See?" He looked at Aldorin and Vastin. "He’s already protecting her."

Sylvia shook her head, but she couldn’t stop smiling.

The laughter was still filling the living room when footsteps sounded from the staircase.

Slow, steady footsteps.

Everyone gradually turned toward the sound.

Sylvia’s smile softened. She knew those footsteps.

A moment later, her foster father appeared at the top of the stairs, one hand resting lightly on the wooden railing as he made his way down.

Beside him was her foster mother, smiling as she carefully walked down with him.

"Sylvia?"

The moment her foster mother saw her, her face lit up.

Sylvia immediately stood. "Mom."

She walked toward the staircase just as her foster mother reached the last few steps.

Her foster mother opened her arms. Sylvia stepped into them without hesitation.

"Oh, my baby," she whispered, holding her tightly. "When did you get here?"

"I just arrived."

Her foster mother pulled back and gently touched her cheek, looking at her as though checking that she was really fine.

"You didn’t tell me you were coming."

"I wanted to surprise you."

"You certainly did."

Sylvia smiled.

Her foster father finally reached the bottom of the stairs and walked toward them with a warm smile.

"Come here, sweetheart."

Sylvia turned and hugged him too. "I missed you, Dad."

He patted her back gently. "We missed you too."

Behind them, Cleric cleared his throat dramatically. "Okay, I’m starting to feel like the only person who didn’t get a proper welcome hug."

Sylvia turned around. "You already hugged me."

"That wasn’t enough."

Everyone laughed.

Her foster mother shook her head. "Cleric, let your sister breathe."

"I’m just saying."

Sylvia laughed as she slipped her arm around her foster mother’s.

The familiar warmth in her chest returned.

Her foster father looked at her carefully.

"How was your father’s condition?"

Sylvia’s smile faded slightly, but she nodded. "He’s doing better. The doctor said he can be discharged anytime, but he needs to rest and won’t be returning to work soon."

Her foster mother nodded, her expression becoming more serious. "That’s good to hear. At least he’s getting better."

"Yeah."

She squeezed Sylvia’s hand gently. "You must be tired. Come and sit down."

Sylvia smiled. "I’m fine, Mom."

"You always say you’re fine."

Her foster father laughed softly. "Let her sit first. Then you can start asking all your questions."

Her foster mother laughed softly. "Fine."

She turned toward the others. "Everyone, give Sylvia some space."

Cleric immediately raised his hands. "Don’t look at me. I haven’t asked anything yet."

"You were about to," Aldorin said.

Everyone laughed again.

Sylvia looked around at everyone, feeling the warmth of the moment settle around her.

The house was noisy again. Her family was together, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this happy.

Sylvia followed her foster mother toward the living room, with Venny still holding her hand.

Her foster mother sat down on the large sofa and gently pulled Sylvia down beside her.

"Now tell me properly. How have you been?"

"I’m fine, Mom."

Her foster mother gave her a look. "Don’t give me that answer. I want to know how you really are."

Sylvia smiled. "I’m really fine."

Her foster mother studied her face for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay. I’ll believe you for now."

"For now?" Sylvia laughed.

"Yes. I know you too well."

Her foster father laughed as he settled into the armchair opposite them. "I told you she would be fine."

"You stay out of this," her foster mother replied.

Everyone laughed.

Aldorin walked over and dropped onto the sofa beside Cleric.

"So, Sylvia," he said, stretching his legs out. "How’s life with a girlfriend?"

Sylvia immediately groaned. "Not you too."

Vastin laughed from across the room. "We’ve been waiting to ask."

"I knew this was coming."

Cleric pointed at her. "See? I told you they would ask."

Sylvia folded her arms. "You people have been planning this."

"Of course," Aldorin replied.

Venny laughed beside her. Sylvia glanced at him.

"You could help me, you know."

Venny raised both hands. "I’m staying out of this."

"Traitor."

Venny leaned closer and whispered, "I want to hear too."

Sylvia stared at him in disbelief before laughing.

"Wow."

Her foster mother smiled. "So, what’s her name?"

Sylvia’s cheeks warmed slightly. "Amelia."

"Amelia," Aldorin repeated with a grin.

Sylvia nodded. "Yes."

"How long have you two been together?"

Sylvia hesitated. "Not very long."

Cleric leaned forward. "And you already smile like that whenever someone mentions her?"

Sylvia touched her cheek unconsciously. "I’m not smiling."

Everyone immediately laughed.

"You are," Vastin said.

Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Can we please talk about something else?"

Her foster father laughed. "Leave her alone. She’s clearly embarrassed."

"Thank you, Dad."

He smiled. "But I’m curious too."

Sylvia’s mouth fell open. "Even you?"

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