Chapter 10: It Was Done.
Alex parked the car and turned to her. "We're here," he said, although his voice was calm, she could still sense the weight of everything that had happened lingering between them.
Emma nodded, feeling small as she stepped out of the car and onto the gravel driveway. The mansion loomed before her, a symbol of a world she didn't belong to. A world of wealth and privilege.
She followed Alex up the steps, her footsteps light against the polished stone. Inside, the grandeur only continued. High ceilings, marble floors, and luxurious decor greeted them at every turn.
The furniture was elegant and expensive, every detail meticulously designed.
"Feel at home," Alex said, his tone gentler now. "You're safe here. No one can bother you," he said and Emma nodded again, still feeling the weight of her displacement.
She didn't belong here, no matter how much Alex reassured her. Alex led her upstairs, down a long corridor until they reached a room at the far end.
He pushed open the door, revealing a spacious bedroom. The king-sized bed was draped in fine linens, soft rugs covered the floor, and the windows overlooked the gardens below. It was breathtaking, but it didn't feel like hers.
"This will be your room," Alex said, stepping aside so she could enter. "Take your time to settle in," he said as he watched her go in.
Emma stood in the center of the room, feeling both awed and overwhelmed. It was beautiful, but it only made her feel more out of place.