Rose and the lady sat down on a nearby bench, and their conversation began.
Rose hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The name you just mentioned... That was my mother's name," she said softly. "But she passed away months ago."
The woman's eyes widened in shock, her face a mixture of disbelief and sorrow. "Katherine... gone?" she murmured, shaking her head as if trying to process the information.
Rose nodded solemnly. "Yes. I'm Rose, her daughter." She deliberately left out her surname, not wanting to associate herself with the Moreau name since her father had disowned her. "I'm Rose, the daughter of Katherine Elfo."
The woman studied her closely, her expression shifting between surprise and recognition. "So you're the daughter of Dominic and Katherine?" she finally asked.
Rose gave a slow nod.
The lady then introduced herself, a soft smile forming despite the emotional moment. "I'm Adeline Elfo, but you can call me Addie. I'm Katherine's elder sister." She sighed. "Forgive me, my memory isn't what it used to be... I've become forgetful in my old age."
Rose's heart ached for the woman. It saddened her to know that her aunt's memory was failing her, to the point where she had forgotten such a significant loss.
"I just moved into town recently," Addie continued, "searching for my sister. I had no idea..." Her voice trailed off with regret.
Rose reached out, gently placing a reassuring hand on her aunt's. "You didn't know. It's not your fault."
Addie took a deep breath and continued. "I went to the Moreau mansion, hoping to find Katherine, but I wasn't received well. There was another woman there... She claimed to be the only wife of Dominic Moreau. I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me again."
Rose clenched her fists slightly at the mention of Olivia. "Your mind didn't fail you, Aunt Addie. My father remarried just a month after my mother passed away. Her name is Olivia, and she's his new wife."
Addie's face darkened, disappointment evident in her gaze. "So it was true..." She shook her head in dismay. "And you, child? Are you heading home now? I'd love to meet my sister's children."
Rose froze for a second, uncertain how to respond. She no longer lived in the Moreau mansion. She hadn't considered how to explain it without revealing the painful details of her father's betrayal.
Forcing a smile, she spoke carefully. "Aunt Addie, I can take you to meet the youngest of us."
Addie's face brightened. "Really? Oh, I would love that! When your mother gave birth to her first two sons, I was there for the ceremonies... but I never got to attend your's and when she had her last child. I didn't even know she had a daughter."
Rose's chest tightened. So many things had been taken away from her family—memories, moments, and now, even the truth. But at least, in this moment, she could give Addie something.
She smiled, taking her aunt's hand gently. "Come with me, Aunt Addie. There's someone you need to meet."
With that, she abandoned her shopping trip entirely, her heart set on bringing Addie home.