Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3400

Carson's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he took the box. "Goodnight."

Marina watched his car disappear down the street before turning back toward the house.

Her family's quarters were separated from the main house by a small garden. She bypassed the main courtyard entirely and headed straight for her own wing.

Rhiannon and Jude were waiting for her in the private living room.

Seeing her walk in, Rhiannon poured her a warm mug of chamomile tea. "Drink this to soothe your nerves before you sleep."

Marina sat down and drank it in utter silence.

Jude looked at her, his face etched with guilt. "I'm sorry, Marina. We put you in a terrible position tonight."

Rhiannon shot her husband a comforting look and added, "Your grandfather was putting so much pressure on your father. I know you understand."

Marina lowered her eyes. "If Phoebe's heart condition ever gets critical, and Grandpa orders you to convince me to give her my heart... would you agree to that too?"

Rhiannon gasped. "How could you even say that? Of course not!"

Marina's expression remained perfectly flat. "What if Grandpa threatened to kill himself if Dad didn't agree? In this family, nothing is impossible."

Jude's face darkened with frustration. "Marina, we were wrong tonight. I admit that. But I just felt that it was only a house. I'm the older brother, and you're the older cousin. Making a small concession shouldn't be such a big deal—"

Marina abruptly set her mug down and stood up. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. You two should get some sleep."

Without another word, she marched upstairs.

Jude bristled with anger. "Look at her!" he complained to his wife. "She's getting more disrespectful by the day. She throws a tantrum before I even finish a sentence!"

"She's just upset," Rhiannon soothed. "Just let it go for tonight."

"She didn't even have to give up the villa! Carson came in, defended her, and completely humiliated everyone. What does she have left to be upset about?" Jude muttered.

"It's late. Let's just go to bed. I'll find some time to talk to her later."

Carson nodded. He paused before asking, "Has Dad been home at all these past few days?"

The servant lowered their head. "No, sir."

The chilling bite of a late autumn morning seeped into Carson's eyes. He walked through the grand foyer, out the back doors, and made his way toward the sanctuary.

The morning fog had yet to lift. It clung to the gardens in thick, ethereal ribbons, dulling the pale, fragile sunlight that tried to break through.

Inside the private chapel, a woman dressed in elegantly simple clothes sat peacefully on a velvet floor cushion. Her eyes were closed in quiet meditation, her fingers gently passing over a string of prayer beads.

Carson stepped inside. He quietly lit a candle at the altar before taking a seat on the cushion beside her. His usual cynical, playboy demeanor was entirely gone, replaced by a rare, solemn reverence.

The woman opened her eyes. They were breathtakingly beautiful. Even with the faint traces of time etched into her features, it was impossible to miss the stunning radiance of her youth.

Carson had inherited his striking looks entirely from his mother.

Despite enduring years of betrayal and cold neglect, there was absolutely no resentment in her gaze. Her eyes were as clear and serene as a pristine autumn lake, completely untouched by the murky bitterness of the mortal world.