Chapter 77

Victoria POV

It was the day I'd been waiting for—the day I would finally meet the Arlington family. The grand estate felt like something out of a storybook. Standing at the entrance with Grandpa by my side, I tried to steady my nerves. My heart raced, and I felt like I didn't belong here, but Grandpa's firm grip on my hand made me feel just a little less alone.

The sound of a car approaching broke through the quiet tension. They were finally here.

The black car rolled into the driveway, followed by another, and then another. One by one, the doors opened, and the Arlington family began to emerge.

The first to step out was a tall woman, sharply dressed in a tailored suit. She studied me intently as she approached. Her gaze was calculating, but there was a flicker of something else—curiosity, maybe even surprise.