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