She clearly stiffened for a moment.
Then I could feel her arms tighten around me.
The next second, she lowered her head and planted a loud kiss on my cheek.
That wasn’t enough—she buried her face in my shoulder and gently nuzzled it, as if confirming something.
“Ah… how is our Aria so adorable…”
Held in her arms, I felt a little short of breath, but I didn’t struggle.
That place in my heart that had always been cold slowly began to melt.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Dad watching us.
That look… it was hard to describe. As if he wanted to come closer, but was holding himself back—there was even a hint of… grievance.
He cleared his throat.
“Ahem.”
I instinctively turned to look at him.
He had already crouched down in front of me, his gaze level with mine. His eyes were f
