Chapter 552 An Unexpected Big Sister
The father and daughter took the elevator up together, and when they reached the apartment, Dominic finally checked his phone and saw Aurelia's missed call.
He guided her to the keypad lock and programmed her fingerprint. "Next time you can't find me, just come straight in. This is your home now."
Like Dominic, Aurelia was quietly processing this sudden gift of family. She had been here just two days ago with the children as a guest, and now she stood here as part of the household—it felt surreal.
Dominic led her to the sofa, as if afraid she might disappear. "Aurelia, don't leave tonight. Stay and talk with me."
He then called to the housekeeper, "Valencia, please prepare the largest east-facing room on the third floor, next to mine, for Aurelia. She's family now."
Valencia looked confused, her eyes darting between them. Two days ago, this woman had been a visitor—now she was family? Though she wondered what had happened, she knew better than to ask and went upstairs to prepare the room.
Dominic returned with a steaming cup of coffee and pressed it into Aurelia's hands. "You must be cold from standing outside. This will warm you up."
The awkward intimacy between them was gradually transforming. Blood called to blood, and this bond that had overcome so many obstacles was finally acknowledged.
Dominic's eyes misted over. "I had someone return the necklace you made for your grandmother. She loves it and wants to thank you properly."
"I'm glad she likes it. Next time she wants something, I'll make it for her."
Dominic nodded. "Whatever you make, she'll treasure it."
Warmth flooded through Dominic's chest. For the first time, this house felt like a real home, full of life. He found himself imagining what it would have been like if he'd brought them home as children—two little girls calling him daddy. His daughters would surely be less trouble than Phoenix, and far more affectionate.
"Aurelia, have you been happy all these years?"
Aurelia chose to share only the good news. "Everything's been fine."
They talked quietly late into the night before finally retiring to their rooms.
Phoenix came home in the early hours, not noticing the women's shoes by the entrance. He tossed his jacket carelessly aside and sauntered upstairs.
The next morning, rubbing his eyes as he came down for water, he thought he was still dreaming when he saw an attractive woman descending from the third floor.
He was genuinely shocked—his father's room was on the third floor! A woman coming from his father's floor? It was like being struck by lightning.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again, realizing he knew this woman—it was Aurelia, the woman he'd been infatuated with.
Phoenix froze against the staircase railing. His mind raced with inappropriate thoughts as he watched Aurelia emerge from Dominic's floor in the early morning.
It was unbelievable!
Aurelia noticed the stunned look on Phoenix's face and smiled slightly, ignoring him as she passed.
Phoenix hurried after her frantically. "Aurelia, you—"
He looked her up and down, the questions in his mind too shocking to voice. Better to ask Dominic directly.
He found Dominic on a phone call in his study and burst through the door, his voice barely containing his rage. "Dad! Are you even a man anymore? She's young enough to be your daughter! How could you!"
Phoenix was choking on his anger. He'd wanted Dominic to find a wife, but not someone his own age! How was he supposed to call her 'mom'? Especially when she was the woman he'd been pining after.
He wondered if she was desperate for money or facing some other crisis. Had Nathaniel hurt her again, driving her to this degradation?
Dominic quickly ended his call, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "What the hell is wrong with your brain?"
"You're asking what's wrong with my brain? Look at yourself! At your age, bringing a young woman home like this—"
Phoenix was incoherent with rage, his image of Aurelia crumbling.
Dominic settled calmly into his leather chair. "Where were you carousing last night? Have you been drinking? What kind of friends are you keeping?"
Phoenix shot back angrily, "That's none of your business! At least I won't prey on someone twenty years younger—that's just sick!"
Dominic grabbed a tissue from his desk and threw it at Phoenix's face. "Aurelia is your sister—your blood sister! What kind of garbage are you spouting?"
Phoenix froze, processing Dominic's words carefully. It wasn't what he'd thought, but—sister?
"Dad, her last name is Semona. If you want to give me a sister, you can't just claim she's blood-related."
Dominic didn't bother with explanations. "She is blood-related. Now drop that cocky attitude before you scare your sister away."
The information overload left Phoenix stunned. As a child, he'd often searched through Dominic's room, trying to understand why his father remained single and never found him a stepmother, looking for clues.
Eventually, he'd found some useful information: Dominic's phone contained a contact labeled 'Brenda' that was never called. His wallet held a yellowed photograph with 'Brenda' written on the back. Draft papers in his trash often bore the name 'Brenda.'
Phoenix had concluded that Dominic carried a torch for a woman named Brenda—not his biological mother.
After a moment of silence, Phoenix asked, "Dad, is she Brenda's child?"
Dominic's silence was answer enough.
Phoenix finally laughed, placing his hands on his hips. He never would have imagined that his seemingly celibate father had such a romantic debt in his past. "Well, I asked you to give me a sibling, and you delivered an older sister. Impressive!"
A few seconds later, his tone lightened. "Actually, that's not bad. A sister is good—a sister is even better!"
While having a sister was wonderful, Phoenix cringed as he remembered recently declaring his feelings to Aurelia like a reckless fool. He was grateful she'd ignored him then—the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Now he felt too embarrassed to face Aurelia as his sister, yet part of him was excited. Would she take him out for ice cream and chips like a proper big sister? She probably would.
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