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My throat thickens with emotions. I’m cornered because I won’t let my father lose everything. I can’t do that to him.
“It won’t last forever, Miss. Just a year,” Mr. Cadell explains, but his words don’t soften the fear inhaling me.
A year is a lifetime.
The man’s already left the house and sets my bag in the trunk of the black sedan, then opens the back door for me.
My breaths are coming fast, and I can’t even look at my stepmother as I won’t let her see me crying.
Before I move, she says, “Go on then, darling. Off you go.”
The fake sweetness in her voice sickens me. There’s so much I want to say, but I’m choking on my emotions, unable to think straight. Words fail me. Instead, I silently make my way down to the car. I take a deep breath, trying to stop shaking.
All I can think about is my father and how desperately I need to speak with him, how I can’t be away from him… not after losing my mom.
Once I’m in the car, we reverse down the driveway. I glance back, staring at the only home I’ve known, feeling like I’ve left behind a large piece of myself.
CHAPTERTWO
SAPPHIRE
The black car rolls to a stop in front of the towering mansion from last night’s Luminary Soirée. Only now, so late in the night, the place came with no clamor of guests, no chatter, and no decorations with lights.
Everything plunges into darkness except for a handful of dim lights here and there. When I climb out of the car and into the cold embrace of the breeze, the sheer magnitude of the place truly hits me.
“This way,” Mr. Cadell says, carrying my bag and stepping up to the large, double front doors. The lofty, arched windows are darkened by drawn heavy curtains.
I feel tiny standing on the front steps, and a sense of seclusion comes over me. We’re miles away from any civilization, no neighbors in sight. Suddenly, the late hour of the night is a blanket, tightly wrapping around me, squeezing me. I can’t breathe and stumble back toward the car.
“I-I can’t do this,” I murmur, mostly to myself. “We’re all alone out here.”
The driver glances my way with a warm smile. “It’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get used to it. Just remember what’s at stake. Sometimes, we all have to do what we don’t like for the greater good.”
I blink at him, unsure how to take his wisdom, though I’m wondering what he’s sacrificed and lost.
“Mr. Kline likes his privacy,” he continues. “Let’s get you inside.”
He opens the front door, and I draw in a deep breath, knowing I don’t really have a choice. Returning means we lose the house. Swallowing my dread, I nod and move toward the mansion. The gravel crunching under my shoes is the only sound breaking the silence around us.
Before I know it, we’re inside the lavish entryway with rich, dark walls and a majestic staircase with gold handrails and steps carpeted with lush red carpet. Chandeliers hang overhead, and tall vases in the corners burst with flowers. I’m just in awe of the place as I was last night when I rushed through the estate as I worked.
I feel like an intruder in a palace.
Last night, I arrived for the party at the back of the place. This is like stepping into another world. One that’s lonely as there’s not a soul in sight.
“Come on,” the driver signals, leading me up the staircase. Heading down a long corridor, he stops outside a door.
“Guess this is me, then?” I say nervously.
“Try to rest,” he answers quietly. “Tomorrow, you’ll get to know the place and start your duties.”
Duties? I hate the way he says that word, especially when I have no clue what exactly they entail.
He pushes open the door for me, and my mouth might have dropped open. If, as an assistant, this is my room, then Hawk must be sleeping in a room made of gold.
“Good night.” The driver closes the door and leaves me.
I quickly check the door handle—it isn’t locked.
