SANCTUARY ✵ 𝐀𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐄𝐑

009. MAN NOW TOO EXHAUSTED TO REPRESS BOTH ANGER AND SADNESS

CHAPTER NINE: MAN NOW TOO EXHAUSTED TO REPRESS BOTH ANGER AND SADNESS

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THE KITCHEN SMELT heavenly.

Beatrice had been looking forward to this small get-together at her uncle's house for weeks. The stressful days at the Behavioral Analysis Unit had taken their toll on her, and she longed for a break.

Glancing at the recipe on her cookbook, she stirred the simmering pot of homemade tomato sauce with a wooden spoon. The tangy scent of garlic and basil mingled in the air, filling the room with an irresistible fragrance that hinted at the delightful flavors to come. Her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she tasted a spoonful, adjusting the seasoning with a thoughtful expression.

With everything coming together like a well-choreographed dance, the blonde cook set the table with care, arranging elegant place settings. As her uncle and his wife entered the kitchen, she greeted them with a warm smile.

As Marjorie gracefully settled Chiara into her arms, her gentle smile warmed Bea's heart. The flickering candlelight cast a soft glow on her aunt-in-law's brown hair, making her seem almost ethereal. She couldn't help but admire the genuine love and care her uncle's wife radiated, not just towards Chiara, but towards both her and her older sister as well.

In their enduring marriage of two decades, Marjorie Astor and Sebastian Sterling had never been blessed with their own child. However, when Olivia and Beatrice became their entrusted responsibility, the couple embraced them wholeheartedly, as if they were their very own. Regardless of the familial ties as nieces, the couple showered the two girls with unwavering love and care, creating a bond that mirrored that of a parent and child.

As they all gathered around the dinner table, the fragrant aroma of the meal filled the air. Marjorie's question about her new position in her work brought Beatrice back to the world beyond the delicious food before her.

"Oh, you know," the analyst replied with a casual shrug, trying to downplay the mounting stress that had been building up inside her. She settled into her chair, her eyes wandering to her plate for a moment before lifting to meet her aunt's kind gaze. "It's been quite a change. The workload is heavy, and I find myself missing my desk and computer at times, auntie."

Sebastian took a contemplative sip of water, the glass cool against his lips before he artfully sliced into his chicken. "It's actually a good thing you're taking a break from your computer, Beatrice," he remarked, his tone carrying a touch of wry humor. "Lord only knows what kind of 'solutions' you come up with when you're under pressure."