Love Rents A Room
Chapter 238: Brianna’s Unexpected Visit

Chapter 238: Brianna’s Unexpected Visit

"My great-granddaughter..." Philip whispered, voice thick with emotion. His eyes glistened as he gently rocked her. Christina reached over and patted his leg, her own eyes glassy.

Holding the tiny life that represented a new generation, Philip Winchester—the man who had built empires, won wars of legacy, and stood tall in storms—suddenly looked humbled.

Like a man who had finally received everything he ever wanted.

Not just that day—all her life—Elizabeth MaryAnn Winchester adored being with her great-grandfather, Philip Winchester.

She wasn’t like the other Winchester children who ran wild through the farmland, rolled down the meadows, and came home with grass-stained knees. Lizzy preferred the house, the stillness, the quiet... the control. Jeffrey wouldn’t say this to her face—but honestly? She’d been snobbish from the moment she could blink.

A very cute kind of snobbish, granted. The sort that made you laugh and call her Posh Lizzy, which he did—often.

When she was three, she heard her mother play the violin for the first time. That moment changed everything. Her eyes lit up as if someone had lit a constellation behind them, and from then on, the violin became her obsession, her comfort, her best friend.

There was even a time when they feared she might be autistic—she barely spoke, didn’t engage with other children, and ignored anyone who wasn’t her Gaga, Philip. The only other person she tolerated was Gigi Christina, and only because she was her Gaga’s beloved.

Once she weaned off, she stopped caring for her mother’s presence, unless Joanne was holding a violin.

But no, she wasn’t autistic. Just a little narcissistic. And a stone-cold genius.

Tests would later show her IQ surpassed even Joanne’s. But Lizzy had no time for science or math or business. Her entire world centered around the violin—and her Gaga.

By the time she was fifteen, they finally sent her to live with Philip full-time to aide with her passion in music. Lizzy, with that signature coolness, turned to her parents and said, "This is the happiest day of my life."

Jeffrey and Joanne stood stunned while she rolled her suitcase out the door with more grace than heartbreak.

As an adult, Lizzy became one of the most sought-after violinists in the world.

At one of her concerts, Fabrizio Liandri—the master violinist who once tried to make Joanne his protégée—sat in the audience. By the end of the performance, he was crying. When he discovered that the red-haired, green-eyed virtuoso was the daughter of the woman he once taught, he nodded through tears and whispered, "Of course. It makes sense now."

Lizzy remained a lone bird for most of her adult life. She never dated, never let anyone in. Her parents worried—endlessly.

Until, when she was twenty eight, she shocked them all by marrying.

A prince. A literal prince.

After that, Lizzy became a lot closer with her mother. She continued to play the violin—but only for charity. Her brilliance never dimmed, and her happiness only multiplied. But how she got her prince? That was another story entirely.

And one worth telling on its own.

***

Two weeks after Joanne gave birth, Fiona was at her house again, this time with a container of nourishing soup. She always found some reason to drop by—every day. And Joanne didn’t mind. Fiona brought her little boy along and her presence was surprisingly soothing in the haze of early motherhood.

Jeffrey was more than enough, of course—but it didn’t hurt to have a whole village rallying around her.

Patrick, Mary, and even Charlotte would drop in now and then to help, hold the baby, or simply chat. Joanne truly felt blessed.

Robert had left the day after the baby was born, but not before gifting her a trust fund—an extravagant one. Their daughter might’ve just become the richest baby in the world.

Philip and Christina had stayed for three days before heading back to their empire.

That particular afternoon, however, brought an unexpected guest: Brianna Hauser.

Fiona saw her through the window and instantly bristled. She’d go full catfight mode if Bri dared to hurt Joanne.

"Here..." Brianna said, handing over a bag filled with high-end baby clothes. All luxury labels.

Joanne accepted it politely. She wasn’t close with Bri—wasn’t even related to her—but manners were manners. She offered the baby into Brianna’s arms.

The baby screamed bloody murder.

Brianna awkwardly backed away, and Fiona stepped in to take the baby with practiced ease.

"You’re already back to your pre-pregnancy weight?" Brianna asked, eyes narrowed. "Two weeks after giving birth? What workout do you do?"

Joanne blinked. She hadn’t really done much.

"Not much," she replied honestly. "Just... farm work, I guess." She shrugged.

"You don’t even look like you gave birth. How are you this lucky?" There was no mistaking the mix of jealousy and surprise in Bri’s tone.

"Thank you?" Joanne said, deciding to take it as a compliment. Fiona would’ve told her the same anyway. She just had the kind of body that bounced back easily.

Still, it was unusual for Bri not to be snide. Joanne offered her some tea, half-expecting a complaint, but Bri sat there unusually quiet. Thoughtful.

"Did you see Robert recently?" Joanne asked casually.

Brianna stiffened. She put the teacup down. "He’s not... I mean, I heard he was here?" she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice cracked.

Joanne studied her. So that was it—Brianna wasn’t here for her. She was looking for Robert. And judging by her sullen face, Robert was avoiding her.

Fiona caught Joanne’s eye and immediately scowled. She could tell what Joanne was thinking. Don’t you dare play matchmaker, you idiot.

Joanne smirked inwardly. Trouble or not, maybe Brianna deserved a chance.

"We both love men who love their grandfather’s legacy more than anything in the world, don’t we?" Joanne said, softly. "And you... you have it tough." Because it was Brianna’s fault. Also, it would hurt anyone if they lost what they thought they’d get.

Brianna gritted her teeth. She didn’t like hearing that from Joanne of all people—but deep down, she knew she was right.

She missed Robert. Terribly. And now she regretted pushing him away—urging him to take back his heirdom, then not supporting him. None of it mattered anymore. She just wanted him. As he was.

And maybe... just maybe... she still had a chance.

Brianna looked up and said something she never thought she would:

"I don’t like you," she said. "I don’t think I ever will. My friends won’t like you either. And I’m sure the feeling’s mutual."

Joanne raised her hand, grinning. "Preach."

"But let’s work together," Brianna added. "As family."

Joanne smiled. "Deal."

Brianna let out a breath. She honestly hadn’t expected Joanne to make it this easy. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to work together. Maybe—eventually—they could get along.

An unlikely alliance was formed.

"I’ll find out where Robert is," Joanne said.

"Thank you," Brianna whispered, and left.

The moment the door clicked shut, Fiona emerged with narrowed eyes.

"Now I’m jealous."

Joanne turned and hugged her. "Why? You’re my best friend. I don’t think I’ll ever like Brianna Hauser."

"Well, I used to be your enemy too. Then I took one step toward you, and look where we are." Fiona’s voice softened. "I’m not giving you up to anyone else."

Joanne laughed, hugging her tighter. If this wasn’t happiness, what was?

-----

When Brianna and Robert met again, not much had to be said.

After all, they had spent almost the entirety of their adult lives together.

"I can’t live without you, Robby," Brianna said softly, her voice trembling.

Robert pulled her into a hug, his eyes wet with tears. "Me too."

"I’m not me without you," she murmured. "And I accept you—just as you are. No strings. No conditions."

"You’re too good for me," Robert whispered. He meant it. Once again, it was she who was compromising for him. She always had. He had been selfish for far too long.

"I’m happy," Brianna said, gently touching his cheek. There was a kind of happiness that came with surrender, when it was for someone who truly mattered. She was surprised to feel that peace.

They got married in spring.

It was a beautiful ceremony—timeless, graceful, and warm. The couple looked radiant and more than anything, in love.

And everyone could see it.