The reception was warm and intimate.
Laughter.
Soft music.
No headlines.
No flashing cameras.
But halfway through the evening, Ethan's security approached quietly.
"There's someone requesting to see you."
Ethan stiffened.
"Who?"
The guard hesitated.
"Margaret Kingsley."
Aria's breath caught.
"She's under supervised release for the evening," the guard added. "Court approval."
Ethan stepped outside.
Margaret stood near the garden entrance, dressed simply in gray. No jewelry. No arrogance.
Just age.
And something unfamiliar.
Regret.
"I won't stay long," she said quietly.
He didn't speak.
"I received the invitation," she continued. "I wasn't sure if it was real."
"It was."
She studied him carefully.
"You look different."
"I am."
Silence stretched between them.
Then she surprised him.
"I was wrong."
The words were fragile.
"I confused protection with control," she admitted. "And strength with cruelty."
Ethan didn't rush to comfort her.
But he didn't reject her either.
"You don't have to forgive me today," she said softly. "But I wanted to see the man you became without me."
Aria stepped outside slowly, standing beside Ethan.
Margaret's eyes softened when she saw her.
"Take care of him," she said.
"I already do," Aria replied gently.
Margaret nodded once.
Then she left.
No drama.
No threats.
Just closure.
Should Margaret have a redemption arc… or remain morally gray?
REDEMPTION or GRAY?