My steps slow as I come up to a cracked door on the left side of the hallway. My bedroom. Coming up to it, I reach out my hand and push it open fully. Leaning against the frame, I wrap my arms around my torso. The walls are still the same soft ivory. The crown molding is pristine. The chandelier overhead glints in the moonlight that streams in from the floor to ceiling windows.
The bed is made with crisp white linen. Decorative pillows are arranged perfectly and a throw blanket folded neatly drapes over the end. No photos. No books. No scuff in the wall from the time I threw the new shoes Melissa bought me for the first gala she forced me to attend–back when she still tried to mold me. No evidence at all that a teenager once lived here.
Sterile. Just like when I was here.
My throat tightens.
I was never thrilled about them adopting me. By the time they found me I was so close to aging out I could taste it. I really did try to be open to being part of a family. They didn’t make it easy though. Insanely high expectations right off the bat. No time to settle or try to adjust. She wanted me to be the perfect, prim and proper daughter she always wanted right away, and I failed. Eventually, she gave up trying and ignored my existence. It felt like being a ghost once again. I went to a private school, had a tutor, all the best clothes, but I was treated like nothing more than a trophy for the galas…and nothing the rest of the time.
Swallowing past the lump, taking a step back into the hallway and closing the door softly behind me then I turn for the bathroom.
“Thought this wasn’t your scene.”
Andy stands at the railing that overlooks the foyer below, jacket off, bowtie loosened slightly. One hand rests against the banister as he looks down at the crowd, studying the performance instead of attending. He turns toward me, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
“Escaping, huh?” he asks lightly.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and walk toward the railing, stopping a few feet in front of him.
“Something like that.”
Music floats up from below, mixed with laughter and the clink of glasses. Applause breaks out for something I don't care to pay attention to and he rolls his eyes.
“She sure does love her parties,” Andy mutters, referring to Melissa.
I nod. “All that money and it never felt like it went to the right places.”
Andy hums, nodding slowly.
“All about the optics.”
For a second, we both watch the crowd below. Jack’s shaking hands, Melissa’s laughing like she actually means it. I know it's hollow.
“What brought you back tonight?” He asks, turning to fully face me.
I shrug. “She tightens the leash the further and further away I get.”
His jaw ticks once.
“Yeah. She’s good at that.”
A comfortable silence stretches between us before I notice Andy straighten his spine.
“Speaking of leashes, mine’s being yanked. I’ll see you down there.” He smiles softly as he passes by me. Looking over my shoulder, I see Andy’s father grab the back of his neck and lead him down the hall toward a second staircase.
Shaking my head, I step forward and make my way down the main stairs. When I reach the bottom, Karson is already standing at the bottom waiting. He tips his head to the side, a slow, dark and delicious grin pulling at his lips. My heart trips at the sight of him. His hand finds the small of my back when I reach him.
“Hey, doll,” he says softly, planting a chaste kiss to my lips. My head spins.
“Everything good?” he asks.
I nod. “Yeah.”
His eyes flick to the balcony.
“Who was that?”
“Melissa’s nephew,” I tell him. “Andy. The only one who treated me like a person when I got here.”
