The Silent Heir

A House That Welcomes

His wife soon reached him again. The car stopped in front of him a little too sharply, and when the window rolled down, her expression was far from composed this time. Zora looked irritated, her brows slightly furrowed, lips pressed like she had been forced into something she didn’t want to do.

“Get in,” she said.

No explanation or greeting.

Such a feisty wife.

Rowan chuckled softly, his tone calm but lightly teasing. “That’s fast. Change of mind already?”

Zora rolled her eyes like she didn’t have the patience for him. “Don’t overthink it. Just get in.”

Rowan didn’t press further. He opened the door and got in smoothly, leaning back as she drove off without another word, her grip on the wheel a bit tighter than before.

The silence in the car was not comfortable, but Rowan didn’t mind. He simply watched the road ahead, his expression calm, like he had already figured out the reason.

Soon, the car slowed and entered a large compound, the gates opening automatically as they drove in. The house that came into view was nothing small. Well-built, clean, with the kind of quiet elegance that spoke of old money rather than loud display.

So this was her background.

Zora parked and stepped out first, clearly still not in the mood to talk. Rowan followed behind at his usual pace, unhurried, his eyes taking in the surroundings briefly before settling.

The moment they stepped inside, voices greeted them.

“Zora, you’re back!”

Two middle-aged figures approached quickly, their expressions lighting up the moment they saw Rowan standing beside her.

Zora didn’t even get a proper word in before her mother’s attention shifted completely.

“This must be him,” her mother said, her tone filled with warmth as she looked Rowan over, not with judgment, but with clear approval.

Zora let out a quiet breath like she expected this.

“Yes, mom,” she said flatly. “This is Rowan Ashford.”

Rowan stepped forward slightly and greeted respectfully, his tone calm and steady. “Good day to Mr and Mrs Valecrest.”

Her parents’ reaction was immediate.

“Good, good,” her father said, nodding with a smile. “No need to be formal here. You’re family now.”

Zora stood to the side, completely ignored as her parents focused entirely on Rowan, asking him to sit, telling the staff to prepare something, their enthusiasm natural and unhidden.

Rowan observed it quietly and it didn’t take long to understand.

This wasn’t her decision to bring him here but theirs.

Zora had been pushed into this, and judging by how quickly she came back to pick him up, she didn’t have much of a choice.

Her mother sat down beside him, her tone softening as she spoke again. “You must have had it hard these past years.”

Rowan didn’t answer immediately.

“You don’t have to worry anymore,” she continued. “You’re here now. Whatever you went through before, just leave it behind.”

Her father nodded in agreement. “From today, you’re part of this family. You’ll be treated well.”

Zora leaned against the side, arms crossed, clearly not interested in the conversation.

Her mother continued, her voice filled with assurance. “And Zora will take good care of you. You don’t need to stress yourself anymore. Just enjoy life.”

Zora scoffed lightly but didn’t interrupt.

Rowan listened quietly, his expression calm and his eyes steady as he looked at them.

“You’ve done enough already,” her father added. “No need to struggle anymore. Just focus on living comfortably. Our daughter will handle things.”

"Thanks, sir." Rowan said

Zora looked away completely this time and Rowan didn’t react outwardly.

He just sat there, composed, listening to their words without agreeing or rejecting them, his mind already processing everything behind the surface.

They didn’t stop there.

Zora’s mother shook her head lightly, her expression turning a little displeased as she spoke.

“That man really had no conscience,” she said. “After everything that was meant to be yours, he still left you with nothing.”

Her father sighed as well, his tone calmer but just as firm. “The foundation of that company came from your mother. Anyone with sense would know that. Yet he handed everything over like it meant nothing.”

Rowan listened quietly with no anger or much reaction.

Zora stood by the side, arms still crossed, watching the direction of the conversation shift like she already knew where this was going.

Her mother turned back to Rowan, her tone soft again. “So tell us, what are you doing now? Do you have a job?”

Rowan paused for a second.

“No,” he said simply.

He was about to add something more, but before he could continue, her parents had already moved ahead.

“That’s fine,” her father said immediately, waving it off like it wasn’t even a concern. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

Her mother nodded quickly. “Exactly. You’re already family. There’s no need to struggle outside.”

Then both of them turned to Zora at the same time.

“Zora,” her father called.

Zora straightened slightly. “Yes, dad?”

“From tomorrow,” he said calmly, “make him your assistant.”

Zora blinked.

“What?”

Her mother smiled like it was the most natural idea in the world.

“It’s perfect. You’ll be working together every day, spending time together… it will help your relationship grow naturally.”

Her father added, “You won’t get closer if you stay apart. This way, things will develop faster.”

Zora opened her mouth slightly, clearly ready to refuse.

“I don’t think...”

She stopped as her father’s gaze shifted coldly at her, it wasn't harsh, but it was enough.

Zora closed her mouth.

“Fine,” she said, a little stiffly.

Rowan watched the exchange quietly, his expression calm, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his eyes.

Her parents immediately brightened.

“Good,” her mother said happily. “That’s settled then.”

Then, without wasting time, her father waved his hand lightly. “Alright, take him to your room.”

Zora froze.

“My room?”

Her mother nodded like it was obvious. “Of course. You’re married now. Where else would he stay?”

Zora’s face stiffened.

“Mom...”

“And don’t just treat this like an arrangement,” her father added calmly. “You two should spend time together. Understand each other.”

Her mother leaned forward slightly, her eyes lighting up. “Yes, yes… and don’t delay too much. We’d like to see healthy grandchildren soon.”

Zora went completely still.

“Mom...”

“We don’t mind how many,” her mother continued, smiling warmly. “The more, the better.”

Zora’s face turned red instantly.

“Mom!”

Her parents just laughed it off, completely ignoring her reaction.

Rowan couldn’t help it and he chuckled, a real one this time, it was low, genuine, and unforced.

Zora shot him a look immediately, her eyes sharp, but there was a trace of embarrassment she couldn’t hide.

“Don’t laugh,” she muttered.

Rowan didn’t reply but the faint smile on his lips didn’t disappear.