ignored Her

Marian's POV

The mall was busy, bustling with customers exploring the stores, employees assisting guests, and the occasional kid tugging their parents toward the ice cream stand. I had only been here for about twenty minutes, but I was already pleased with how things were running.

The grand opening two days ago had been a success—better than I had expected, actually. Aiden and I had barely stayed long after the ribbon-cutting, but the turnout had been impressive. Even now, foot traffic was strong, and I could see a steady stream of people moving between the shops.

I adjusted the sleek blazer I had thrown on before leaving the house and made my way toward one of the smaller boutiques, checking how the staff was handling things. So far, everything seemed smooth. No complaints. No disasters. Just…business.

A rare sense of satisfaction settled in my chest.

I was about to head toward the food court when a voice called out behind me.