Chapter Two

A month later.

A persistent knock on the door had me cursing under my breath as I pulled the thick duvet over my head. Whoever it was at the door was persistent as shit. I’d been under my sheets for the past thirty minutes, wishing they would just get tired and fuck off. The sound was ruining my idea of a peaceful and quiet morning, and I finally decided to answer the door and get it over with.

I walked downstairs, kicking empty beer bottles and half-eaten boxes of pizza out of my way until I reached the front door.

“What the fuck do you…” I started as I threw the door open, but the rest of the words died in my mouth when I saw who it was. “Aunt Carrie!”

“Sophia, darling.” She looked like she was trying hard to hold the smile on her face as she took in my appearance.

I looked like a drag standing next to my mother’s best friend. Her foreign fur coat, expensive dress, and perfectly done makeup only highlighted my own state of disarray. She scrunched up her nose slightly as she took me in, and I didn’t blame her. I hadn’t taken a bath in three days. Or was it five? My hair was a bird’s nest, with an entire party going on at the back.

“Sophia…” she whispered softly before pulling me into her embrace.

I felt a lump form in my throat as she enveloped me in a warm hug. The familiar scent of her perfume and the comfort of her presence cracked open the dam of emotions I’d been trying to keep at bay.

“That’s okay, sweetie. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be here for you,” she cried with me.

My body shook as sobs racked through me, and after what felt like an eternity, I finally calmed down.

When we pulled away, Aunt Carrie’s eyes were just as puffy and red as mine. Her gaze scanned the living room—or what had become of it. Dirty clothes were flung all over the place, a pair of socks hung from the chandelier, and used dishes and empty food boxes were scattered everywhere. Her expression was a mixture of sadness and concern.

“You can’t continue living like this, Soph,” she said as she led me to the only couch that wasn’t buried beneath clothes. “I couldn’t come earlier because of Fashion Week, but I’m here now, and we’re going to fix this.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, sensing the unspoken words behind her statement.

“I’ve arranged for you to live with your step-uncle,” she continued. “He’s willing to take you in and provide for you.”

“What?” I sprang up from my seat like my butt was on fire.

My mother’s stepbrother?

The same man who had never acknowledged us as family? The same man I didn’t even know what looked like because I’d only seen him once when I was what…four? The same man who couldn’t even be bothered to reach out to me after my mother’s death?

My mother’s only remaining family, yet he was nothing but a perfect stranger.

That same step-uncle?

“You’ve got to be kidding.” I laughed mirthlessly.

“Soph…” Aunt Carrie stood up and took my hand. “You can’t keep living here. Like this. Your mother must be turning in her grave if she could see you in this state.”

My lips quivered.

I shook my head as a wave of panic washed over me. “I don’t want to go.”

Aunt Carrie’s expression was firm but gentle. “I know it’s hard since you barely know him…”

“Barely? I don’t know him!”

“…but this is what’s best for you. You’ll have a stable home and a chance to start anew,” she continued, speaking over my protest.

“I don’t want to go!”

“I can’t leave you alone here. Not anymore.”

“Then take me with you.” I turned to her, hopefully.

“You know I can’t. I travel a lot, and you’ll never be settled.” She paused before continuing, “Look, this is what your mother must have wanted. For you to live with her only family. Even though their relationship was strained, I’m sure she wouldn’t want you anywhere else. You’ll live comfortably with him, and I can finally be at peace with myself.”

Slowly, her words seeped into the cracks of grief and loneliness in my heart, and I felt my resolve crumbling. Maybe this was what I needed—a fresh start, a chance to leave the past behind.

“Okay,” I whispered finally, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me.

Aunt Carrie’s face lit up with a warm smile. “That’s my brave girl,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You’ll be happy you did this, Sophia. I promise. Oh, before I forget…” She dipped her hand into her Birkin bag and pulled out a wrapped gift. “Happy nineteenth birthday, baby.”

That conversation was the reason I was standing in front of a majestic house about five hours from the only place I knew as home, two days later.

The building looked like something straight out of a high-class movie, and I couldn’t wrap my head around how extravagant it was. As I approached the entrance, I was greeted by a majestic fountain and a sweeping driveway lined with manicured hedges and ornate lanterns.

“Miss Brooke. Welcome. I’m Jacob, the household’s butler,” the middle-aged man greeted me.

A freaking butler?

I gave him a polite nod, and he took my suitcase from me before leading me into the house.

It would probably take two people to lift my jaw from the ground as I stared at the interior. I was enveloped by a spacious foyer with a soaring ceiling, polished marble floors, and a show-stopping chandelier. The interior design was a perfect blend of modern elegance and classic charm, with lavish materials, rich textures, and impeccable attention to detail.

I hadn’t grown up poor by any means, but this was luxury at its peak.

“Miss Brooke,” an elderly woman dressed in a long apron approached me with a kind smile. “Welcome.”

“Hi,” I greeted, still stunned by my surroundings.

“I’m Adaline, the house manager. Once you’re well-rested, I’ll give you a tour around the house. Or most of it, at least.” She smiled warmly. “Right now, I’ll show you to your room.”

My mind was still reeling as I climbed the spiral staircase that looked like it was made of pure gold. I didn’t know anything about this step-uncle of mine, but one thing was certain within the three minutes I’d been there: he was wealthy in fucking capital letters.

“Not that way!” Adaline’s voice stopped me from going any further.

“Why?” I asked, noticing the edge in her tone.

“That wing is out of bounds. Your room is this way.” She pointed in the opposite direction, and even as she led me to my room, I couldn’t take my eyes off the hallway, questions lingering in my mind.

“Where’s my…uncle?” I asked when she stopped in front of a door.

“He’ll send for you. Your dinner will be sent up soon.” She smiled before walking away.

I shrugged and stepped into the room.

It had a private balcony.

I bounced on the fluffy bed that felt like clouds, unable to shake the feeling that this was all too good to be true.

And most times, when something seems too good to be true, it is.