---- Chapter 35: You've Changed The next morning, Clara woke up to the cheerful chirping of birds outside her window. She lay there for a couple minutes, letting the fog in her brain clear before lazily pushing herself up. She cracked open the window and stretched like a cat waking from a nap. That short rest had her feeling refreshed, almost like she'd been reborn. "Already up? Come downstairs for breakfast!" Aaron called from the garden below, waving. He was decked out all in black-black shirt, black pants-with a tall, solid posture like some stoic pine tree. He gave off this cold, commanding vibe, like he owned the whole world. But as soon as he spoke, that cool aura softened. "I took a walk earlier and passed by a waffle place with a long line. Figured if everyone's lining up, it must be worth it, so I grabbed some for you." Clara leaned on the windowsill, chin resting on her hand, giving him a knowing look. "You've changed." Aaron blinked, curious. "How?" ---- "You used to be all business, short and sharp with your words. Now you're just babbling." She shut the window with a playful grin. Aaron had no comeback - guess he got called out. A little while later, Clara came down wearing a simple, black dress with a square neckline that hugged her waist just right. Every step she took was a perfect mix of graceful and subtly sexy. No flashy jewelry. Her long hair pulled into a neat bun. Fresh, clean, and effortlessly stunning. She settled on the stone bench and took a few sips of coffee. Only then did Aaron hand her the waffles. Suddenly, Clara said, "I want to try eating vegetarian for a few days." Aaron blinked, surprised. "Why the sudden change?" Clara looked serious. "I just want to fast for seven days." Aaron's eyes went wide. "No meat and no booze? Or are you quitting... other stuff too?" Clara gave him a sharp look. "All of it!" Aaron's heart sank. Was this some secret punishment ---- or what? After a forty-minute drive, they finally reached the cemetery on the outskirts of town. It was peaceful, quiet, shaded by trees. The silence was cool and respectful. Rows of tombstones stood neat and square, like soldiers standing at attention. The place felt small but heavy with stories of lives lived. They walked to a quiet corner with one particular stone, and Clara stopped. She stared at Sue's photo on the headstone-her smile was about seventy or eighty percent like Clara's own-and a wave of sadness hit her hard. Aaron gently set down the white lilies he'd bought earlier. In his heart, he silently greeted his mother-in-law, then stepped aside respectfully. Clara glanced at him. "Maybe you should head back first?" Aaron nodded. "I'll wait in the car." Then he quietly left. Clara crouched beside the grave and started talking non-stop-about work, moving to Greystone, how Leo was doing in kindergarten, and even about the recent visit with her dad, Owen. ---- Her legs went numb from squatting, so she finally sat down on the cold ground. "Mom, that jerk Owen isn't worth it. Please rest easy and let go." "Next life, pick a kind-hearted, handsome guy who's rich and smart. Then I'll still be your daughter, okay?" "I might disappoint you, but even though you warned me not to trust love like you did, I still want to try. Will you bless me?" "Leo's so cute. Next time, I'll bring him to visit you..." Her words spilled out all over the place-laughing when happy, crying when sad. Only when her throat went dry and raw did she finally leave, reluctantly. Back in the car, Aaron stared at her sunglasses. "Did you cry?" Seeing her mood still low, he asked gently, "Want to eat something?" Clara's voice was a little hoarse. "No appetite. I want to go home." Aaron asked, "Tired? I want you to come with me somewhere." Clara hesitated. It was his first time asking her to go somewhere with him. She felt a little bad saying no.