AllFreeNovel
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“Where are we going?” I find myself asking.
“Home,” is all he says. Zoey and I share a look but quiet down, enjoying the drive.
When we pull up outside of an impressive townhouse, I’m almost blown away. I’m too shocked to do much except stare, but Alaric rushes around, helps Zoey and then me out of the car, and hurries us inside so we don’t get cold. When the door shuts with a resounding thud behind us, I almost shiver.
This is it, the start of the rest of my life.
Zoey and I stand hesitantly in the foyer as he continues on, walking inside like he owns the place—which, I guess, he does.
It’s impressive, really impressive, like something you would see in an interior design magazine. As if the huge exterior isn’t incredible enough, the inside blows me away. It’s all tasteful, modern designs with huge arched ceilings, a wooden staircase, old original flooring, and a chandelier. It’s a mix between charm and sharp edges, just like Alaric himself. I instantly love it, almost feeling . . . at home.
Which is scary enough as it is.
I peer at the sliding barn doors hiding the rooms, but beyond the foyer is a hallway that I assume leads to a kitchen and the backyard, if there is one. He lets us take it all in before his smoky voice sounds close to me.
“Bedrooms are upstairs. Zoey, yours is on the second floor, and we’re on the third. There are four baths, four bedrooms, a game room, a dining room, and a lounge. There’s a pool on the roof and a garden out back—” He stops and turns to look at us, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“This is all for us?” Zoey inquires quietly at my side, holding my hand like we’re strays—which we are.
I’m used to sleeping on a couch, and our apartment is the biggest space we’ve ever had, but it could fit in this foyer. It’s both embarrassing and depressing, and it makes an ugly feeling rear its head for a moment. I want to defend our life and protect Zoey from feeling unworthy, but the look in his eyes stops me.
I see the sadness in his gaze before he masks it, strides over, and kneels before her, taking her hand as he shoots me a smile. “It’s all for us. This is our home now; we are family.” With that, he stands and kisses her forehead. “Tomorrow, you can pick out anything you want for your room.”
“Really?” she squeals and throws herself at him for a hug, laughing as he pats her back.
“Of course. Let me make you both some food before we settle in.” He winks at me, sending a shiver through me once more at the intention behind his words.
He turns and starts to walk away, calling, “Feel free to explore. What’s mine is yours now.”
“Wow,” Zoey whispers. I can feel her excitement. She’s also bouncing on the spot, ready to investigate.
“Go, but be careful,” I tell her with a laugh, pushing her forward. With a grin, she starts to rush off, but then she slows down as she remembers my warning. After all, she’s still recovering, and the bandage around her head is a perfect example of that.
“Thanks, Layla!”
I watch her go with a smile on my face and my hand pressed over my heart, still standing in my thrift store wedding dress. Unlike her, I feel out of place, so I don’t explore. I peek into a dining room as I pass before following the path he took. I do notice it’s all very . . . empty. There are no photos, no memories or personality. It looks like something out of a catalog, all clean modern lines. It screams money, but it feels . . . almost cold, until Zoey’s loud laughter rings out. Even in her frail, weak state she’s making the most of this fresh start and giving it her all. I have too as well for her. There could be worse lives . . .
We can make this work, I assure myself.
We have to.
* * *
Alaric cooked an impressive meal. He wasn’t sure what we would like, so he made a whole buffet, with chicken, pizza, burgers, fries, cheese boards, fruit, and everything else you could imagine. He even gave Zoey some ice cream. After helping her with her meds, he shows me the way to her room so I can get her settled while he cleans up.
It’s pretty, if a little empty like the rest. She has her own en suite bathroom, though, a double bed, and more space than our entire apartment back in Hell’s Kitchen. The walls are a beautiful robin’s egg blue with crown molding and high ceilings, the floor is a lovely, soft plush white carpet, and there’s even a fireplace on the left wall framed by two huge windows looking over the back garden.
It’s like a dream or a fairy tale.
But nothing is that good, right?
Shaking off my doubts, I help her get ready for bed, telling her a story and tucking her in. I know she’s too old for that, but Zoey indulges me anyway. I wait until she’s snoring happily, clutching a new stuffed bear she found, before I leave. When I reach the foyer again, I hesitate, unsure what to do. I got married today, he’s my husband . . . but we are still strangers.
Hell, I didn’t even know his last name until the ceremony. Will I be expected to sleep in his room? I’m guessing so. As my worries take over, he strides from the corridor and smiles at me. “Is she okay?”
“Better than okay, thank you. Her room is beautiful,” I reply, remembering my manners.
“I hoped she would like it, but she can change anything. You both can. I want you to be happy here,” he murmurs as he steps closer, his eyes darkening as he looks me over.
