"Are we really going to stay here?" Emma squealed with excitent.
I turned to look at her. She stood right in the center of the grand foyer, her eyes wide and glowing like she had just stepped into a fairytale.
Her curls bounced as she twirled around, arms stretched out, completely lost in her own world of wonder.
The afternoon light poured in through the tall glass windows, spreading a golden glow over everything...the staircase railing, the chandeliers, even the polished floor that reflected her small figure.
I had not seen her this happy in a long ti. I smiled at her as I asked, "Do you like it?"
She stopped staring at as if I had asked the silliest question ever.
Then she vigorously nodded her head as she jumped, "I love it so...much." I smiled at her reply as I diverted my attention from her and glanced behind .
Sophie stood a few steps behind, a mixture of awe and hesitation written all over her face. It was clear that it was her first ti seeing such a mansion. Even at Matteo’s place, her mouth kept hanging open, but it seed kinda cute on her.
My trance broke when I heard her words.
"Are you sure, Elena?" she asked softly.
I turned to her, folding my hands over my chest, as I gave her the look, and she tried to clear out, "I an, are you really okay with us staying here? We do not want to... disturb you."
Her voice was tentative, like she still could not believe she was even allowed to ask the question.
I smiled faintly at her innocence. Sophie had always been polite to the point of guilt.
"Of course, I am sure," I said, walking over to her.
Holding her shoulders, I tried to be as assured as I could, "This place is too big for and Emma anyway. And honestly, I would rather have people I trust living here than walk through empty halls every day like so cliche horror movie."
She looked around, eyes widening again as she took in the enormous chandelier above us. "I just... I have never even seen a house this big. Just in movies."
"The horror one?" I almost chuckled at my silly joke as I shook my head.
Behind her, Edward was taking slow steps, his hands tucked in his pockets, observing the interior with quiet curiosity.
Unlike Sophie, he did not gasp or squeal. He just took everything in silently, the tall ceilings, the portraits, the way the air almost carried the faint sll of sandalwood and old books.
"It’s impressive, but it does not feel cold like most mansions I have seen. You have kept it warm sohow," he murmured, glancing at .
I shrugged. "It was just like that, I guess."
But inside, I knew it was not the house that felt warm. It was them...their presence. It was filled with my Grandparents’ love and warmth.
The way Emma’s giggles echoed in the hall, the way Sophie and Edward’s voices carried softly behind her.
It was strange how quickly a house could shift from feeling like a museum to feeling like...ho.
Emma suddenly bolted toward the staircase, her tiny feet pattering against the marble steps, "I wanna see my room! I wanna see all of them!"
"Emma, wait!" Sophie called out, alard, imdiately rushing after her.
Edward followed with a resigned sigh but a fond smile on his face. They both caught up to her near the landing, each taking one of her hands to slow her down.
I watched them from below. Emma, with her uncontainable excitent, kept bouncing between them, dragging them forward.
Sophie laughed helplessly while Edward gently guided her away from tripping.
For a mont, they looked like a perfect little family.
Emma in the middle, her laughter pure and contagious, Sophie’s eyes soft with care, and Edward’s calm, steady presence beside them.
Sothing inside my chest twisted.
I wanted to smile, but it got stuck halfway. My lips trembled instead.
Watching them from afar, it almost felt like I was looking at a scene that belonged in soone else’s life...soone normal, soone untouched by chaos and betrayal.
I wrapped my arms around myself and let out a slow breath. Maybe this was what peace looked like. Not silence or luxury, but the small, natural joy of being together.
When Matteo’s n forced my parents and Gregory to leave, the mansion had gone eerily quiet.
The sounds that used to irritate . Their constant bickering, the heavy footsteps, and the occasional raised voices were gone now.
What remained was emptiness.
His guards did not let them take much, only what was necessary. It was unsettling how efficiently everything had been handled. They were gone within hours.
After that, the lawyers arrived. All in crisp suits, speaking in polite, emotionless tones.
They surrounded in the living room, explaining docunts, handing over keys, and listing out the properties that were now legally mine. I tried to focus, but their words blurred together.
Then the head lawyer approached. He was a tall man with silver hair and sharp eyes.
He handed a single card as he started to explain, "If you need help with any legal matters, you can contact directly."
I hesitated when I saw his na. He was one of the most expensive lawyers in the state; I had heard his na whispered in business circles, the kind of man who charged more for an hour than so made in a month.
"Thank you, but I don’t think I can afford..." I tried to deny his offer politely without offending him.
He interrupted with the sa gentle yet professional tone, "You don’t need to worry. Ms. Kinglsey. Mr. Romano has already made arrangents. My consultations for you will be free of cost."
Matteo. Again him.
Even when he was not there, his presence filled every corner.
I nodded quietly, pocketing the card. When they finally left, the house felt impossibly large. I could hear my own breathing echoing.
Later that night, my phone buzzed.
A ssage from Matteo.
You should think through my deal.
No "please," no "if you would like."
Just a statent, blunt and certain. It did not feel like a request; instead, it felt like a demand wrapped in politeness.
I stared at the screen for a long ti, his words replaying in my head. Think through his deal.
What did I have left to think about? My family had turned their back on . The only person who had ever truly protected , in his own dangerous way, was Matteo.
And yet... trusting him felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing the view was breathtaking but the fall could kill you.
Still, the thought lingered.
The next morning, when the sun ca filtering in through the huge windows, I picked up my phone and called Sophie.
She answered on the second ring, her voice warm as always. "Elena? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, actually... I wanted to ask sothing. How would you feel about moving in with ? You and Edward, with us?" I said, hesitating for a second.
There was silence on the other end.
Then, disbelief. "What? Elena, are you serious?"
"Completely. You have always welcod into your ho. Let return the favor. This place has more rooms than I can count. It would make feel better, honestly. Less alone." I said.
Sophie’s voice softened. "If you are sure... then yes. I would love that."
It did not take long to move them in. With my grandfather’s old contacts and the trust fund Matteo had unblocked, everything was handled swiftly.
The landlord of Sophie’s apartnt was cooperative. Most of the furniture belonged to him anyway. They had only a few personal items and clothes.
By evening, the mansion was no longer quiet.
Boxes were unpacked, laughter filled the rooms, Emma’s shoes were lying near the stairs, and the faint sll of homade food drifted from the kitchen, where Sophie was already organizing shelves.
Now, as I watched them explore the upper floor, I realized how surreal it all was.
Sophie and Edward had always been there for , but seeing them here, moving in permanently, made feel a strange mix of comfort and ache.
They fit so easily into this space, as if they had always belonged here.
Emma’s laughter carried from the balcony, "Mommy! Look! My room has a balcony!"
I smiled, calling back, "That’s yours if you promise not to climb it!"
She giggled in response, her voice fading as Sophie gently pulled her back inside.
Edward appeared at the top of the staircase, leaning on the railing. "She’s in love with the balcony," he said with a small grin.
"I can tell," I replied back.
His smile softened, "It’s good seeing you smile again."
I didn’t answer. I was not sure if I could because what could I have said, because inside, I still felt hollow.
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