I couldn't understand what Aiden was saying. A flower was just a flower. It bloomed when it wanted, fell when it was time. Why bother with all that?
That was when Eryn Ziegler, who was helping us move the flowers that day, suddenly lifted her head.
"You're right, Professor Sanders. I love this feeling too," Eryn agreed. "The quality of flowers depends entirely on how diligently the gardener cultivates them. Look how well this iris is growing. I've taken such good care of it."
They first met one fall with the irises in full bloom. The flowers were the reason, but I also took part in it.
After that, Aiden started ordering flowers from Eryn regularly. Roses, peonies, magnolias, lilacs …
Our villa was slowly transforming into a sky garden and their relationship grew closer and closer.
Then, one day, Aiden suddenly offered to sponsor Eryn's education. "She's only a teenager, remarkably intelligent and willing to work hard. It would be a pity to let such talent go to waste."
Eryn nervously picked at the thick calluses on her hands. A worried yet almost pleading smile appeared on her dark little face.
She spoke timidly, "Nina, I'll study hard, I promise. I had good grades before. I only dropped out because my mother was in an accident and I had no choice but to support the family. Please, give me this chance. I won't let you down!"
Her young face was etched with fatigue and pain that were unsuited to her age.
Looking at those sincere eyes, I suddenly recalled the image of Aiden sitting helpless and confused in the stairwell when he was eight years old.
Once again, my heart softened.
For a long time after that, I treated Eryn like a younger sister.
I bought her clothes, taught her about skincare and shared wisdom on how to navigate relationships.
She kept calling my name, saying I was the kindest person in the world to her. She even promised that she would repay my kindness if she ever had the chance.
Well, that girl didn't disappoint my expectations—she made it into the university where Aiden and I worked.
The same night she received her acceptance letter, she climbed into Aiden's bed.
I had left work early that day, planning to cook a whole table of dishes to celebrate her achievement. But when I got home, I saw them tangled together. With their clothes half off, their bodies pressed close.
In that moment, I lost my mind.