Chapter 18SEBASTIAN’S POVThis garden held a special place in my life and heart. It held memories that are forever stuck with me like glue. Almost every morning, I like to come here, play my music and let the serenity envelope me. I let the calmness take care of me. Pamper me. It was more than a garden to me. It was my antidote. My escape from the world threatening to swallow me whole.In our two years of marriage, Catherine never knew of my special connection to this place. No one knew. Except... Brianna. Now that I've brought her here and told her.I had brought her here, thinking perhaps the music and serenity will wipe away every pain. Every trauma. Yesterday’s dreadful scenario at the cocktail party. Wipe away everything that burdened her. But I was wrong. The moment I saw those glistening tears on her pale, heart-shaped face, I knew it did more harm than good. Perhaps, it was a mistake bringing her here. Perhaps, I shouldn’t have plugged those buds in her ears. But the song was
Chapter 19BRIANNA’S POVHis surprised, pitiful gaze lingered on me and at that moment, I wished I had a shell I could coil back into. I wished I hadn’t told him. I could have just collected the book and when I got back to my chamber, left it there.“Didn’t you go to wolf school?” He leaned in closer to me, his thick, sleek brows drawing in questioningly.“I’m sorry,” I turned away from him and tried to put the book back on the shelf. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”“No,” he reached out and stopped me. “It’s okay. You can tell me. We’re the only ones here. You don’t have to be ashamed... or afraid of anything. Okay?”Ashamed? I wasn’t ashamed. I just wish I hadn’t told him. I didn’t want him to know anything about me. About my background. My childhood. Everything I had been through. He was my master and telling him all that was unnecessary.Seeing how reserved I was, he collected the book from my hand, kept it precariously on top of the arranged books and tried coming closer. But fro
Chapter 20 SEBASTIAN’S POVIt baffled me to know she couldn’t read like everyone else. I had always thought every wolf went to school while growing up. But I just learnt that wasn’t the case. After she told me her story, I felt for her. She had been through a lot. Witnessed so much pain that I so desperately want to erase. As she told me her story, her fragile soul was threatening to drown in the sea of her pain and sorrow. But I didn’t let that happen. I pulled her out immediately by promising to teach her to read when I get back from my business trip. She raised her head and her beautiful, grey eyes sparkled with a vivid gleam. That was when I knew I had succeeded in making her feel better. But the business trip was a cover-up. I was going away for three days but it wasn’t for a business meeting or trip. I was going to make Nolan pay for what he did to her at that cocktail party. I vowed to myself never to let anyone hurt her as long as she was with me. But Nolan did hurt her. And
Chapter 21BRIANNA’S POVOn a beautiful summer morning, I saw myself lying on a soft carpet of green grass. Sebastian was lying beside me, his fingers cool and smooth as they held mine. An easy smile was playing on the corners of our lips as we were captivated by each others’ presence and by the beautiful sky above, painted with vibrant hues of blue and wisps of fluffy white clouds. We were happy. So happy. That was the kind of happiness I longed for. But in the blink of an eye, all that vanished. The sky turned black and the ground beneath me began to quake. Afraid, I turned to Sebastian so we could get up and run to safety. But then, I realized he wasn’t Sebastian. It was Hermes. His hold tightened around my hand and he tried to pull me closer to himself while I struggled with everything in me.“Where do you think you’re going to, princess?” his devilish smirk overtook his features as he stared at me. “What did you think? You can get away from me forever? We’re forever stuck togeth
Chapter 22BRIANNA’S POV“Since you’re living under my roof, you’re to abide by my rules,” Catherine’s voice was cold, territorial and exact as she screeched the paper to me. “On the first page of the paper are the rules and your tasks and in the back is the plan of the castle to help you find your way around. You’re to obey my rules with your life and carry out your chores diligently. Anything asides that will attract punishments. Severe punishments,” she stressed, her gaze growing colder and sharper by the passing moment.Her words bore through me and I drew in a subtle breath, wondering when punishments will end in my life. Breathe Brianna. Just breathe. I tried to calm myself as my gaze dropped to the sheet and carefully, I picked it up, eager to know what my tasks and her rules were. Squinting at the millions of incomprehensible words scribbled on the paper, I swallowed a lump and tried to remain steady. Seeing it made me wonder if the other maids were also made to go through s
Chapter 23BRIANNA’S POVI didn’t need the castle plan to find the kitchen. It was just close to the dining room. Moreover, I had passed from there a few times. But I had never stepped in to catch a full glimpse of it.As I cautiously entered the kitchen, my eyes widened on seeing how beautiful and ultra-modern it looked. The sleek marble countertops glistened under the soft overhead lights, reflecting from the elegant hanging chandeliers and also from the gentle light that poured in from the windows and a stunning set of French doors.Stainless steel appliances adorned the space, their surfaces free of any smudges or stains. The organization and cleanliness were impeccable, with pots, pans and other utensils neatly hanging from a stylish rack on the wall. The fragrance of freshly cut lemons, lavender and different spices mingled in the air, adding to the sensory delight.Suddenly, my breath caught in my throat as I threw another glance at the French doors. I was so amazed with how bea
Chapter 24BRIANNA’S POVI spent almost an hour or more trying to clean myself up. I had to take another bath to get rid of the stench, spent a longer time washing and combing my hair to remove the food particles that clung to it and change into new cloth. I still found it hard to believe Catherine could have done something like that to me.As quickly as I could, I rushed back to the kitchen to clean up the mess and begin the chores for the day. Time wasn’t on my side at all. I had wasted way too much time on getting myself cleaned up and it was almost mid-day. I had to clean and tidy up all the rooms in the castle which according to my assumption were not less than 20…or 30 including the servants’ quarters, the storeroom and the ones that weren’t in use, do the laundry, prune the flower beds and gardens, attend to Catherine’s needs and most importantly have her lunch ready in an hour or two.After I was done with the kitchen, I proceeded to the dining room. Catherine was done eating
Chapter 25BRIANNA’S POVGently, I placed two mugs of hot chocolate and two small plates of crisp crackers on a tray and made my way to Catherine and her guest. As I approached, I noticed they were still sneering and glaring daggers at me. But I focused my gaze on the refreshments I was carrying.I almost made it to the table when my steps suddenly faltered as the hem of my long gown tangled beneath my feet, causing me to stumble forward. The tray tilted precariously and a gasp filled the air as the piping hot chocolate drinks cascaded from their cup, splattering onto the lady’s dress. All these were followed by the clattering sound of the mugs and plates as they scattered all over the table and floor.Oh no! Not again. What have I done?“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness…Oh my goodness,” she gasped a cry and stood reflexively. “You ruined my gown! Catherine, it’s hot…it’s hot…it’s burning me,” screeching her seat away from the table, she rose and ran upstairs like a wounded wild animal