PTE
ASH
L
move in with him and his family. I stood at the entrance
on in front of me. I couldn't believe this was goin
Tall windows covered the front of the mansion, and the perfect
that I had stepped into a world complet
handle had been repaired some time ago with tape. It was the only thing I had brought with me. I look
Ashb
urn
few feet away, wearing a neat
rself politely. "Mr. Ashbourne asked
." I repli
ed for my
I said, clutching
ly. "But you don't have to anym
t. As I followed her inside, I couldn't s
ung from the ceiling, expensive paintings decorated th
intimidated
ed to it," Mrs
will." I said and
"You'd be
ps coming from the staircase. I looked
second had slightly darker hair.
eyed me with disgust. "Who ar
ena, you must be
they started talking to each
he came with?" Clara turned to ask
emaid or what?" Vivienne answered and chuc
ly. "Are you bot
aced me, then let out
ou?" Clara asked, dragging th
Who are you? I believe you were n
ed. "I'm your new mommy," I repli
A short, shar
ed things to be uncomfortable, after all, I had married their father wh
w you around," she said flatly. It wasn't
ve to," I dec
cut in rudely. "But
ead, leaving me to follow beh
e sitting room, several guest rooms and a huge garden at the back of the estate, even a p
ed my bedroom, I was
. "This is mine?" I aske
She just looked me
oom was bigger than any
d in white sheets and soft pillows. There was a sitting area
obe. I opened it and it
und. "These
vienne said flatly
d. "I can't ac
r arms. "Why? To
t need so much,
"Elena, you're no
ked a
ife," she added. "Whet
d we're not going to pretend this i
owed. "
didn't
er. Victor was already seated at the din
," he
ening,"
ng to the chair beside him. I no
ew moments later. They sat acros
quiet, like
breaking the silen
norted. "O
Victor sa
e're just asking. She didn't answe
on my plate.
"Because we're not goin
his fork do
ilence and after dinner, they
ards me. "How was
I replie
ine?" h
smile. "I
Vivienne?
"They're...
lowly. "Giv
Did you get every
" I n
mily?" h
arrived,"
ded. "And
ed," I
," he
ly. "My mothe
she say?
ried,"
ion softened. "S
ed down. "Than
told you I would
ow,"
ly meant it
eel guilty about wha
owed. "
omething for your
away. "
nd Elena, this marriage doesn't mean y
aintly. "T
You should g
"Goodnigh
, Elena,"
ke an intruder. This house
assed. Clara and Vi
ections that led me to the locked east wing, they lau
ng about my family's debts because they were
n the sitting room alone when Victor
ra and Vivien
irs,"
Elena, I need to t
tened. "W
ne will be joining us
ted.
silence
from the family who has bee
wned.
knowing look. "You'l
I sat there, wit
night, one question ke
e Ashbourne family and why did every
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