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Niecristal
Circle

Writer's pictureNiecristal

Chapter 30: May I?

Here it comes, Kaylee thought, bracing herself. With a silent sigh, she rose from her seat, her palms slightly damp with nerves. Her heart raced, but outwardly, she remained composed. Victoria's eyes followed her every step, a satisfied gleam reflecting in them. This was the moment Victoria had orchestrated.


As Kaylee approached the table displaying the crown pendant on its shimmering white gold necklace, Victor entered the room, having just returned from settling logistics. His gaze immediately found Kaylee, standing at the center of attention. The room was deathly quiet as he swiftly crossed it, settling into his seat at the family table.


Up there, Kaylee reached out toward the pendant, her hands hovering just above it, pausing before making contact. The room seemed to hold its collective breath, every eye fixed on her, anticipating what would come next. She turned slightly, glancing at Ford seated at the main family table. That was when she noticed Victor, now seated beside his father, giving her an assuring nod. A wave of peace and confidence washed over her. Turning back to Ford, she asked politely, "May I?"


Ford offered a deep, fatherly smile, tilting his chin slightly in approval. Standing off to the side, Victoria's eyes widened as she saw that familiar expression on her father's face—the same unmistakable, paternal look she hadn't seen directed at anyone except herself all these years, and also her brother long ago.


Jealousy flooded Victoria's eyes as she shot a sharp glare at Kaylee. The shift in her demeanor didn't go unnoticed. Victor frowned, and Kaylee's parents exchanged concerned glances. Amethyst looked at Stone worriedly, and Stone, sensing her unease, gently squeezed her hand while keeping his focus on the unfolding scene.


With Ford's permission, Kaylee delicately lifted the necklace and placed it around her neck, though she didn't clasp it. The audacity of the gesture—a stranger attempting to wear the late matriarch's cherished heirloom—elicited gasps from the room. Some onlookers whispered their disapproval, thinking Kaylee was acting shamelessly.


With her left hand holding the clasp of the necklace behind her neck, Kaylee carefully lifted the white jade crown pendant with the fingers of her right hand, raising it above eye level. She adjusted it slightly, catching a ray from the nearest ceiling light as her head tilted to follow the pendant, her gaze locked on it. Then, her gentle yet clear voice echoed through the quiet room. "Aunty Long said that each morning, when she held this pendant like this under the light of the morning sun and said her prayer, it was one of the most powerful moments in the LORD's presence for her."


A ripple of shock and recognition washed over Ford, Victor, and Victoria. It was as if they could see Long Lefyna herself, standing there with the same serene expression, holding the pendant in that exact way. It was a memory so personal, so sacred, that only the closest family members—Ford, Victor, and Victoria—had witnessed it. Kaylee knowing about it struck them deeply, bringing back a flood of emotions.


Kaylee continued, her voice steady and reverent. "She said the light that shone from heaven through these white jade stones to her face, symbolically reminded her about the same power that flows from Christ, the vine, into her, the branch. That powerful daily reminder gave her the strength and will to live each day in God's holiness and righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit."


Victoria blinked in disbelief. How could her mother have shared something so intimate with this outsider? The realization hit her hard—Kaylee wasn't an outsider. Her mother had never treated her that way.


Suddenly, Victoria's resolve crumbled. The desire to push Kaylee away, to keep her out of their family circle, vanished. Perhaps, just perhaps, her mother had seen Kaylee as part of the family all along.


Ford's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, his breath hitching as he was enveloped in the memory of his beloved wife. Victor, though equally moved, maintained his outward composure, but the deep emotion was clear in his eyes.


The room remained utterly still, the atmosphere shifting as Ford, Victor, and Victoria were swept up in the memory of Long Lefyna. The audience could sense the change, the deep, unspoken connection now forming between Kaylee and the Langford family.


Lowering the pendant from her neck, Kaylee held it in her hands, her eyes lingering on the delicate crown, a soft smile gracing her lips. Though the tension was still palpable, something deeper had changed in the room. Everyone was listening.


With quiet determination, Kaylee continued, "Aunty Long devoted her entire life to pursuing God's will and righteousness, touching many lives by sharing the gift of salvation she received through Jesus Christ. To me, the best way to honor and remember her in our daily lives is by continually coming back to our true identity in Christ and working out our salvation each day with fear and trembling."


A stunned silence fell over the room. Victoria's eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face. How could this woman know Mother so well? her mind raced.


Ford Dylan, having regained his stoic composure, gave a firm nod of approval. Across the room, Stone and Amethyst exchanged another glance, the corners of their lips curving into faint smiles. Their daughter didn't disappoint them.


Victor, on the other hand, felt a mixture of regret and gratitude-regret for having drifted away from God after his mother's passing, but gratitude that Kaylee's presence had gently guided him back to the path where he belonged, the very place his mother had always hoped he would be.


But he kept his emotions in check. As the initial surge settled, a deep sense of joy began to fill his heart, contentment for where he stood now.


With reverence, Kaylee placed the pendant back on the table, her heart racing beneath her calm exterior. She had done it—faced Victoria's test and turned it on its head. Respect radiated from the room, even from those who had been skeptical of her. She met Victoria's gaze, offering a slight nod as a gesture of closure to her response.


As Kaylee moved to take her seat next to Victor, he stood to pull out her chair. All eyes were on them—the once cold and distant President Victor now bore a bright, unmistakable smile as he offered the gentlest of gestures to the woman who, in mere minutes, had reshaped their perception of her. Perhaps she truly was worthy of standing by Victor's side, the future matriarch of the Langford family.


After they both sat, Victor slid his hand into hers, pride gleaming in his eyes. He squeezed her hand gently and whispered, "You were incredible."


Kaylee smiled, relief washing over her. "I just hope I did her memory justice."


"You did more than that," Victor murmured, his gaze unwavering, "You made everyone see what I've known all along."


The tension that had once gripped the room had dissipated, replaced by a quiet sense of admiration. Even Victoria, who had been so determined to challenge Kaylee, was silent. Her expression, though unreadable, no longer held hostility. For the first time, Victoria saw Kaylee not as an outsider, but as someone who truly understood her mother's legacy.


As the gathering slowly wound down and guests began to disperse, Kaylee noticed Victoria approaching. Her steps were measured, but her icy demeanor had thawed.


"You knew my mother better than I... thought," Victoria said quietly, a faint trace of respect in her voice.


Kaylee met her gaze, calm and steady. "I was blessed to have spent time with her, even if it was brief. She was remarkable."


Victoria paused, the corners of her mouth softening into the hint of a smile. "She was." Then, with a nod, she turned and walked away, leaving Kaylee with the quiet realization that she had passed a significant test—not just in the eyes of the Langford family, but in Victoria's as well.


Victor squeezed Kaylee's hand once more, his pride shining through. "You've more than earned your place here," he whispered.


As they left the Langford estate, hand in hand, Kaylee felt something shift within her. She hadn't just secured her place in the Langford family—she had done so with grace, honoring the woman who had once been the heart of it all. The road ahead would still be challenging, but today, she had taken a significant step forward. For now, that was enough.


***


Victoria stood in her father's home office, the weight of the day pressing down on her. The room, filled with dark wood and the lingering scent of old books, felt heavy with memories. Her eyes flickered toward the large portrait of her mother hanging on the wall, a picture of strength and grace. She had always admired that about her mother, even though she could never quite live up to it.


"She was?" Victoria's voice came out low, almost hollow, the sharp edge of her usual tone softened by confusion. Could her father really be telling her the truth?


Ford's expression softened, a rare mix of paternal love and the firm resolve of a man who had built an empire. "Yes, Yaya. Without her, your mother might not have made it home from that mission trip. Kaylee went into that forest to find her, when she didn't have to. We owe her more than we've ever acknowledged."


Victoria's chest tightened. Kaylee, the woman she had viewed with suspicion and judgment, had been the one to save her mother. The revelation struck her hard, like a crack forming in the walls she had built around her heart. Her mind raced, but beneath the confusion, something deeper—something long buried—began to stir.


Ford's gaze moved from the portrait to his daughter, his expression now more serious, almost pleading. "So don't treat her like you did this morning. She's going to be your sister-in-law, and one day, the matriarch of this family. She'll work beside you and Victor to protect what we've built. Kaylee's not your enemy, Yaya. She never was."


The air in the room seemed to grow still, as if it too were waiting for her response. The words sank in, but they felt heavier than she expected. How had she been so blind? Kaylee, the woman she had tried to undermine, had saved the very person Victoria had been mourning for years. A pang of grief hit her, the kind she hadn't let herself feel in a long time, and it brought with it the bitter taste of regret.


Kaylee's words from earlier echoed in her mind, louder now, as if they had been meant for her all along: "The best way to honor and remember her in our daily lives is by continually coming back to our true identity in Christ and working out our salvation each day with fear and trembling."


Those words, spoken with such humility and reverence, cut through the fog of her rebellion, hitting a place in her soul she hadn't wanted to face. This wasn't just about her mother—it was about her, too. Kaylee, in her quiet humility, had laid bare the truth Victoria had refused to see.


Her gaze drifted back to the portrait of her mother. The woman she had tried so hard to live up to, but whose absence had left a void she had tried to fill with meaningless pursuits. She had walked so far from the path her mother had set before her, and the realization cut deep. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back.


Ford noticed the shift in his daughter. He rose from his desk and crossed the room, placing a hand on her shoulder. His voice softened, but his words carried the weight of wisdom and years of watching over his family. "Your mother wanted the best for you, for all of us. She always prayed you would find your way back to the woman you're meant to be. I think, deep down, you know that too."


Victoria swallowed hard, her throat tight. The truth was there, staring her in the face. She had spent so many years fighting, pushing away anything and anyone that reminded her of the loss she couldn't bear to face. And yet, here was Kaylee, the woman she had sought to undermine, embodying the grace, strength, and faith her mother had once lived.


She took a shaky breath, the weight of her father's words and the truth behind them settling over her. The choices she had made, the reckless life she had led since her mother's death, now felt like a betrayal—not just to her mother, but to herself. She had been running from the very things that had once made her whole.


Victoria lifted her eyes to meet her father's. "I... I didn't know. I didn't realize." Her voice was quiet, almost fragile, as if speaking the words aloud made them more real.


Ford squeezed her shoulder gently. "It's not too late to turn things around, Yaya. Your mother believed in second chances. So do I."


The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. Ford let his hand drop and stepped back, giving her space to absorb what had just been said.


As the silence deepened, Victoria found herself staring at her mother's portrait once more. The woman who had been the heart of their family, whose absence had left them all adrift. Could it really be that simple? Could she truly find her way back to the life her mother had envisioned for her—a life rooted in faith, in family, in something greater than herself? And now Kaylee, the woman she had once seen as a threat, stood before her as an unexpected ally—perhaps even the sister she had never allowed herself to have.


When Victoria finally left her father's office, it was after a long stretch of quiet reflection. The weight she had carried for years felt lighter, even if just a little. She knew it wouldn't be easy—rebuilding her life and repairing her relationship with her family would take time, but her mind was now clearer. And for the first time in years, maybe she wouldn't have to walk it alone.


***


Another week passed in a blink. It was a rare Saturday morning gathering at the Langford estate, the first since Long Lefyna's Memorial Day the previous week. Ford couldn't quite explain it, but the once-empty, lonely house, where his children rarely visited, now felt warmer. Everyone was home—and now, that included Kaylee.


Victor and Ford sat in the sunroom, quietly discussing business. Kaylee, not wanting to intrude, wandered through the halls, her fingers brushing along the ornate frames that lined the walls. The scent of cedarwood and lavender floated in the air, so calming. She reflected on the days since Aunty Long's memorial when the creak of a door broke her thoughts.


"Kaylee?" Victoria's voice was softer than Kaylee had ever heard it. She looked up, surprised to see Victoria standing there, her usual guarded expression slightly softened. "Do you have a moment?"


Kaylee blinked. "Of course."


Victoria glanced toward the sunroom where her father and brother were, as if checking to make sure they weren't paying attention, then turned her focus back to Kaylee. "I was thinking... I mean, I know we haven't really... connected... much since everything, but maybe we should."


Kaylee tilted her head, unsure of where this was going but curious.


"Actually," Victoria continued, "I was wondering if you'd be up for a road trip. Nothing big, just... some time away. Just us." She shifted her weight, her fingers tapping lightly on the doorframe. "There's a place I haven't been to in years. It's not far. I thought maybe we could drive out there together."


Kaylee was momentarily speechless. A road trip? With Victoria? The same Victoria who could barely meet her eyes days ago? She hadn't expected this—none of it. Yet there was something genuine in Victoria's tone, something unspoken.


Kaylee smiled warmly. "I'd love that."


From the sunroom, Ford and Victor had noticed the exchange. Victor raised an eyebrow, sharing a glance with his father, who seemed equally surprised. Victoria wasn't one for spontaneous decisions, especially with someone she had kept at a distance. But both men realized what was happening. This wasn't just a road trip—this was Victoria extending a hand, something she hadn't done in a long time.


Ford's eyes softened with approval, and he gave a nearly imperceptible nod toward his daughter. Victor stood, walking over with a small, surprised smile. "A road trip?" he asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and amusement. "I didn't think you were the spontaneous type, Yaya."


Victoria glanced at him, realizing how long it had been since her brother had teased her about anything so casually. She quickly composed herself, managing the surge of emotion, and shrugged, offering him a sheepish smile.


Victor chuckled, clearly pleased by this unexpected shift in his sister. "Where are you taking her?" he asked, looking toward Kaylee, who still seemed a bit surprised but eager.


"There's a place by the coast, about two hours away," Victoria said quietly. "Mother used to take me there. I haven't been back in years, but I think... I think it's time." Her words held a vulnerability that resonated deeply with both Victor and Ford.


Ford stood now, his hands in his pockets as he approached the two women. His gaze was gentle, carrying a deeper understanding. "It'll be good for you both," he said simply, his approval clear. He placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder, then turned to Kaylee. "Take care of each other. Get comfortable for the trip. All costs are on me."


It was his way of giving his blessing for the road trip.


"Oh..." Victoria responded, her tone laced with mild surprise. She knew her father understood that money was never an issue for her, but still—it was kind of... sweet. It reminded her of when they were younger, back when he was always this warm.


Kaylee nodded, a swell of warmth rising at his words, then turned back to Victoria. "When should we leave?"


Victoria's lips curled into the faintest smile. "After this, if you're ready."


"Right now?" Kaylee's eyes widened in surprise, then she laughed softly. "Okay, I think that works." She glanced at Victor for confirmation before checking the time on her phone, calculating how long it would take to stop by her rented apartment. "I might need to grab my things first—we could leave in about an hour."


"Upstairs, second room to the right," Victoria interrupted, her tone dry but playful. "I'm sure my brother has stocked up enough clothes and skincare products to last you a month without repeating an outfit." She shot a half-teasing, half-knowing look at Victor, her eyes almost rolling, but with a touch of affection.


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