Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 8

Charlotte's POV

I stepped out of the cafe, I could still feel the lingering tension from my conversation with Auden.

I hoped he could talk civilly, but it had quickly devolved into an argument.

Acting all proud was not my thing, I sighed deeply heading for where my car was parked.

I looked around, taking in the bustling city street, feeling a sense of melancholy.

“ It was time to rebuild the Anchor freight shipping company from scratch,” I said to myself as I turned on the ignition of the car and then drove off to the office.

I got to the office, Amelia was already waiting for my arrival, I brought the car to a halt, and she was quickly escorted in,

“I'm so sorry I took your car,” I apologized, she smiled,

“My car is your car, Teresa.” She was the perfect mother figure I could ever ask for.

We were indebted to her, yes, my parents and I. She fought to keep this company running for years. I had to help her the very little I could.

“So where are we headed to?” She beamed at me, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

She paused then looked at me, “Your new home. Apparently, it's your old home. I just refurbished it lately to suit your taste.” she added.

My mind wandered away, were we that wealthy? Ignorance was a disease” I paused, then began driving to the Estate.

.

.

After a few minutes of driving, we got to the estate, our mansion situated at the center. The mansion was a tall, imposing mansion that loomed before me, its shadow stretching across the lawn. It was built in the Gothic style, with towering spires and ornate stained glass windows. Ivy clung to the stone walls, and the whole structure seemed to exude an air of mystery and intrigue. As I approached the front door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation.

What secrets lay within those walls? What mysteries awaited me behind that imposing facade?

I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, and I turned to see Amelia standing behind me, a warm smile on her face.

"Welcome home, sweetie," she said, her voice soft and soothing.

I felt a sense of relief wash over me, and I hugged her. She had always been like a second mother to me, and I was grateful to have her in my life.

I took deep breaths, I stepped onto the doormat, and to my surprise, the door began to open on its own. I looked around, wondering if there was some kind of hidden mechanism, but I saw nothing. I stepped through the door, and it closed behind me with a soft click. I was now standing in a large, opulent foyer. I had no idea what to expect next,

As I looked around the foyer, I saw a row of uniformed staff lined up against the wall, each one with a wide smile on their face. I recognized the head butler, a tall, imposing man with a stoic expression, and the maid, a sweet-looking woman with a kind smile. There were several other staff members, all of them standing perfectly still, their eyes trained on me. I felt a bit like a celebrity, being greeted by an adoring crowd. But I knew that this was all part of the mystique of the mansion, and I was eager to see what else it had in store.

I plastered a warm smile on my face as I stepped in, immediately it all started to come back to me, the room felt familiar, I could feel I once lived here,

As I walked through the mansion, something felt strangely familiar. I knew that I had never been here before, but I had the oddest sense of déjà vu. I felt like I had been here before, long ago, but I couldn't quite place it. I passed by a library filled with dusty, leather-bound books, a drawing room with high ceilings and a grand piano, and a dining room with an elaborate chandelier. Each room evoked a sense of familiarity, but I still couldn't place it. It was as if I was walking through a dream.

I wandered down a long hallway, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. I came to a set of double doors, and I pushed them open with a sense of trepidation. I found myself in a large, sunlit room with floor-to-ceiling windows. The room was filled with antique furniture, and a large, intricately carved grandfather clock stood in the corner. But what caught my eye was the painting hanging on the far wall. It was a portrait of a woman, and as I stared at it, I felt a shiver run down my spine. I recognized the woman in the painting... it was...me. The painting showed a younger version of myself, perhaps 2 or 3 years old. I was dressed in a beautiful ball gown, and my hair was piled on top of my head in an elegant updo. I looked happy, my expression serene and content. But I had no memory of ever having my portrait painted, and I certainly didn't own a gown like the one I was wearing in the painting. It was as if I was looking at a stranger, yet I knew it was me. I was transfixed by the portrait, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

I took a step closer to the painting, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. I reached out a hand, as if to touch the portrait, when suddenly I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself, and when I opened them again, everything had changed.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter