Chapter 5: Love and Distrust Begin

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the opulence of the room around me. Adjusting to the grandeur of the Callahan estate was like trying to wear shoes two sizes too big—it just didn’t fit. The polished wood floors, the endless corridors, the towering paintings on the walls—all of it screamed wealth in a way I’d only seen on TV.

But it wasn’t just the house that felt foreign. It was the people. The polite but judgmental staff, the veiled insults from my newfound "family," and the constant feeling of being watched—all of it weighed on me. I spent most of my time in the garden or library, avoiding the stares and whispers as much as I could.

That afternoon, I sat alone in the garden, letting the breeze play with the locket around my neck. It was the one thing that still felt real, a tether to the life I’d left behind. I ran my fingers over the engraved word, “Always,” and wondered, not for the first time, what it really meant.

“Still lost in thought, I see,” a voice broke through my reverie.

I turned to see Adrian walking toward me, his confident stride impossible to ignore. He wore a casual blazer and dark jeans, his polished appearance contrasting with the chaos I felt inside.

“Adrian,” I greeted, forcing a polite smile. “What brings you here?”

He stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets. “I wanted to check on you. Adjusting to life as a Callahan isn’t easy.”

I let out a dry laugh. “That’s an understatement.”

He tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not like the rest of them?”

“Because I’m not,” I replied simply, holding his gaze.

The weight of his stare made me shift in my seat, but I refused to look away. There was something about Adrian that unsettled me. It wasn’t just his good looks or his charm—it was the way he seemed to see right through me, like he knew there was more to my story than I was letting on.

“Walk with me?” he asked, gesturing to the garden path.

I hesitated, then stood. “Alright.”

We walked in silence at first, the sound of gravel crunching beneath our feet. The garden was beautiful, with vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges, but I barely noticed. My mind was racing, trying to figure out what Adrian’s angle was.

“Your life changed pretty quickly,” he remarked, breaking the silence.

“You could say that again,” I replied. “One minute, I’m working two jobs to keep the lights on, and the next, I’m here. It doesn’t feel real.”

He nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips. “And now you’re surrounded by people who’d happily see you fail.”

I stopped walking and turned to face him. “Is that a warning?”

Adrian shrugged, his smirk fading. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just an observation.”

“Why do you care?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

His gaze softened, just for a moment. “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in keeping the Callahan name intact.”

There it was again—that mix of charm and mystery that made it impossible to figure him out. Before I could respond, a gust of wind swept through the garden, carrying with it the faint sound of laughter from the estate.

Adrian glanced toward the noise, then back at me. “I should go. But if you ever need advice on navigating this world, don’t hesitate to ask.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.

Later that evening, I was in the library, pretending to read a book while my thoughts kept drifting back to Adrian. He was infuriatingly enigmatic, but there was something about him that made me want to know more.

The sound of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Victoria, her perfectly styled hair gleaming under the chandelier.

“Enjoying the library?” she asked, her tone dripping with fake sweetness.

“Yes,” I replied cautiously.

She sauntered over, picking up a book from the shelf and flipping through it like she owned the place—which, technically, she did. “It’s fascinating how quickly you’ve adapted to all this,” she said, not bothering to look at me.

I bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She finally looked up, her eyes cold and calculating. “Just that some of us have spent our entire lives preparing for this legacy, and yet, here you are, waltzing in like it’s owed to you.”

“I never said it was owed to me,” I shot back.

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Good. Because if you think for a second that you can take what’s mine, you’re sorely mistaken.”

With that, she placed the book back on the shelf and walked away, leaving me fuming.

That night, in her private quarters, Victoria poured herself a glass of wine, her mind racing with schemes. If I thought I could step into this family without consequences, I was in for a rude awakening.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number. “It’s me,” she said when the call connected. “I need you to dig up everything you can about her. Leave no stone unturned.”

As she ended the call, a smirk played on her lips. The game had begun, and she had every intention of winning.

I sat in my room that night, the encounter with Victoria replaying in my mind like a broken record. Her words stung, not because they were true, but because of the sheer venom behind them. I had no intention of taking anything from anyone—I hadn’t asked for this life.

The room, luxurious as it was, felt suffocating. The massive canopy bed, the antique dresser, the ornate chandelier overhead—it all seemed to mock me. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the kind of person who fit into a place like this.

I paced by the window, the locket around my neck a comforting weight. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being set up to fail. Victoria’s threat wasn’t empty—I could see it in her eyes. She was already planning her next move, and I had no idea what it would be.

A knock on the door broke through my thoughts. I hesitated before opening it to find Charles, the family’s lawyer, standing there with his ever-calm demeanor.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Sure,” I said, stepping aside.

He entered, carrying a folder under his arm. “I wanted to check on you. I understand this transition has been… challenging.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Charles took a seat in the armchair by the window and opened the folder. “I’ve been reviewing your father’s estate and the terms of the inheritance. There are a few things we need to discuss.”

I tensed. “What kind of things?”

“Primarily, your position within the family trust. As the newest addition, there are stipulations that will require your involvement, including public appearances, charity events, and maintaining the Callahan reputation.”

I frowned. “Public appearances? I’m not exactly great with crowds.”

Charles offered a small smile. “It’s not optional, I’m afraid. The Callahan name carries a lot of weight, and as an heir, you’ll need to represent it appropriately.”

I rubbed my temples, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “And what happens if I don’t?”

“The terms of the inheritance are clear. If you fail to uphold your responsibilities, the board has the right to reassess your position within the trust.”

In other words, they could cut me out.

“I’ll do my best,” I said quietly.

Charles nodded, closing the folder. “I believe you will. But be cautious. Not everyone in this family will support you, and some may actively work against you.”

I didn’t need him to name names—I already knew who he was talking about.

---

The following day, I found myself attending yet another family meeting in the grand dining hall. The long table was lined with crystal glasses and fine china, and the tension in the room was palpable.

Victoria sat at the head of the table, her posture regal and her expression smug. Across from her sat her brother, Nathan, who had barely spoken to me since my arrival. The rest of the family filled the seats, their conversations hushed as I entered the room.

“Ah, the newest member of the Callahan clan,” Victoria said, her voice dripping with mockery. “How lovely of you to join us.”

I forced a polite smile and took a seat at the far end of the table, as far from Victoria as possible.

The meeting was tedious, filled with discussions about the family’s business ventures and philanthropic efforts. I tried to keep up, but the terminology and sheer scale of their operations were overwhelming.

At one point, Victoria leaned forward, her gaze fixed on me. “Do you have any thoughts, dear sister? Surely you have some insight to share.”

Her tone was condescending, and the smirk on her face made my blood boil.

“I think it’s best I observe for now,” I replied evenly.

Victoria’s smile widened, and I could see the triumph in her eyes. She wanted me to feel out of place, to remind me that I didn’t belong.

After the meeting, as I made my way back to my room, I heard footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Adrian leaning casually against the wall.

“Rough crowd,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

“You could say that again,” I replied, crossing my arms.

He pushed off the wall and walked closer, his gaze intent. “You held your own, though. Not bad for someone who’s new to this world.”

“Thanks, I guess,” I said, unsure of his motives.

Adrian studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You’re tougher than they think. Don’t let them get to you.”

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me with a strange mix of emotions.

---

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the estate, Victoria was hard at work.

“Did you find anything?” she demanded, pacing her lavish study as her private investigator handed her a file.

“Not much, but there’s enough to dig deeper,” he replied.

Victoria flipped through the pages, her eyes narrowing. “She’s hiding something. Everyone has skeletons in their closet, and I’ll find hers.”

She stopped at a photo of me in my old waitress uniform, a sneer curling her lips. “Let’s see how she handles a taste of her old life being splashed across the tabloids.”

outside the Callahan estate was crisp, but the tension lingering from the family meeting still clung to me like a heavy cloak. I walked along the manicured garden paths, trying to clear my head. The estate’s sprawling grounds were breathtaking, with their perfectly trimmed hedges, marble fountains, and twinkling string lights draped over ancient trees. But the beauty felt hollow, like a gilded cage.

My thoughts swirled with Victoria’s disdainful words, the suspicious glances from Nathan, and the overwhelming sense of being an outsider. Even Adrian’s cryptic support left me with more questions than answers.

Why had he come to my defense? Was it genuine, or was he playing a game of his own?

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear the footsteps until they were right behind me.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Adrian’s voice cut through the quiet.

I turned to see him leaning against a stone column, his hands in the pockets of his tailored coat. The soft glow of the garden lights made his features look even sharper, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.

“Didn’t know I was being followed,” I replied, my tone more defensive than I intended.

He held up his hands, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Relax. Just happened to be out here. Thought you might need some company.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

He shrugged. “You’ve had a rough day. It’s written all over your face.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, well, not everyone gets a warm welcome from their long-lost family.”

Adrian stepped closer, his expression softening. “Welcome or not, you’re here now. That counts for something.”

I crossed my arms, unsure whether to trust the sincerity in his voice. “Why do you care? You don’t even know me.”

His smirk faltered, replaced by something more serious. “Maybe I see a little of myself in you. This world chews people up and spits them out if they don’t learn how to play the game. I learned the hard way.”

I tilted my head, curious despite myself. “And what’s your role in all this? Are you playing the game too?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened, and he looked away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “Let’s just say I’ve learned how to survive. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy watching others get dragged through the mud.”

The vulnerability in his words caught me off guard, and for a fleeting moment, I saw past the confident façade to the man beneath.

“Thanks, I guess,” I said softly.

He nodded, his smirk returning but softer this time. “Don’t mention it. Just remember—people like Victoria thrive on fear. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”

With that, he turned and walked back toward the house, leaving me alone in the garden.

Inside the estate, Victoria was already putting her scheme into motion. She sat at her ornate desk, her laptop open as she typed out an email to a tabloid editor she’d worked with in the past.

The subject line read: The Secret Past of the Callahan Heiress.

Attached were photos of me in my waitress uniform, a snapshot of my run-down apartment building, and a short, scandalous write-up she’d carefully crafted. The story painted me as a gold-digger who had manipulated her way into the Callahan fortune.

Victoria smiled as she hit send, imagining the fallout.

“This should put her in her place,” she muttered to herself.

But Victoria wasn’t done. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. When the person on the other end answered, she spoke in a tone dripping with malice.

“I need you to dig deeper into her life. Friends, acquaintances, anything that can be used against her. I want her gone, and I want it done quietly.”

She ended the call, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. Victoria Callahan always got what she wanted, and I was just another obstacle in her way.

The next morning, I woke to a flurry of whispers among the household staff. Something was off, and the tension in the air was palpable. As I made my way to breakfast, I noticed the sharp stares from a few of the family members.

When I entered the dining room, Victoria was already seated, sipping her tea with a smug smile. Nathan was reading something on his phone, his expression darkening.

“What’s going on?” I asked cautiously, taking a seat.

Nathan glanced up at me, his eyes cold. “You might want to check the news.”

I pulled out my phone, my heart racing as I opened a trending article. The headline hit me like a punch to the gut:

From Rags to Riches: The Callahan Heiress’s Shocking Past!

The article laid bare every detail of my life before arriving at the estate—my jobs, my apartment, even my overdue bills. It painted me as an opportunist, someone who had clawed her way into the family’s wealth through manipulation.

I felt the blood drain from my face as I read the comments below, full of ridicule and disdain.

“How… how did this happen?” I stammered, looking around the table.

Victoria set down her teacup, feigning concern. “Oh, dear, it must be so hard having your private life exposed like this. But I suppose that’s the price of being in the spotlight.”

Her words were like daggers, and I knew immediately she was behind this.

Adrian entered the room just then, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene. He walked over to me, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder.

“Don’t let them break you,” he murmured before sitting down.

His presence was a small comfort, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the humiliation I felt.

I clenched my fists, determined not to let Victoria win. If she wanted a fight, she was going to get one.

Her mind was already racing with plans, each one designed to humiliate and discredit me. Victoria Callahan didn’t lose, and she wasn’t about to let a nobody from nowhere take what she believed was hers.

The Public Spectacle

The fallout from the article was immediate. Social media exploded with comments dissecting my life, strangers weighing in on whether or not I deserved to inherit anything. News outlets began hounding the estate, their vans parked just beyond the gates.

I tried to stay out of sight, but the tension in the house was palpable. Even Nathan, who had been polite if distant, now avoided me. The staff whispered behind my back, their pity almost worse than their judgment.

By the time evening rolled around, I needed to escape.

I grabbed my coat and slipped out the side entrance, desperate for air. The estate grounds were expansive, with manicured gardens and winding stone paths. I found myself wandering toward the stables, a place I had discovered during my first few days here.

The horses were calming, their steady breaths and soft whinnies a welcome reprieve from the chaos inside. I leaned against the wooden fence, staring out at the rolling hills beyond.

“Running away again?”

The voice startled me. I turned to see Adrian leaning casually against a nearby post, his dark suit unbuttoned as though he’d just left a meeting.

“I’m not running,” I said, my tone defensive. “Just... thinking.”

He walked closer, his sharp eyes studying me. “Rough day?”

I laughed bitterly. “You could say that.”

Adrian nodded, stepping beside me. “Let me guess—Victoria?”

“How did you know?”

“She has a reputation,” he said simply. “And she’s predictable. When she feels threatened, she strikes. Hard.”

I frowned, turning to face him. “Why are you telling me this?”

Adrian shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe I don’t like seeing people get trampled. Or maybe I enjoy watching someone stand up to her for once.”

Despite myself, I smiled. “Well, don’t hold your breath. She’s winning.”

“Only if you let her,” he said, his tone serious now. “The Callahans respect strength, whether they admit it or not. If you give up now, you’ll prove her right.”

His words struck a chord in me. For all my doubts, I didn’t want Victoria—or anyone else—to think I was weak.

“Why do you care?” I asked softly.

Adrian hesitated, his expression unreadable. “Let’s just say I know what it’s like to be underestimated.”

Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps interrupted us. A figure emerged from the shadows, and I recognized Clara, the housekeeper.

“Miss Alvarez,” she said, her voice urgent. “There’s a situation.”

“What now?” I muttered, following her back toward the house.

Confrontation

In the grand sitting room, I found Victoria holding court. Several family members and staff were gathered, their expressions ranging from concerned to amused. In the center of the room was a large screen displaying the now-infamous article.

“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping inside.

Victoria turned, her smile sharp as a blade. “Oh, Elena, glad you could join us. We were just discussing your... colorful past.”

I glanced at the screen, my stomach churning. The words “gold-digger” and “opportunist” seemed to scream at me.

“This is ridiculous,” I said, my voice rising. “You’re the one spreading lies.”

“Lies?” Victoria echoed, feigning shock. “Are you saying you didn’t work at a greasy diner? That you weren’t struggling to pay rent before stumbling into this family?”

The room was silent, all eyes on me.

“I never claimed to be perfect,” I said, forcing myself to stand tall. “But I earned everything I had, and I never asked for any of this. I’m here because your father wanted me to be.”

Victoria’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “How noble. But let’s be honest—you’re out of your depth. The sooner you realize that, the better.”

Before I could respond, Adrian stepped forward.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “We’ve all heard your opinion, Victoria. Maybe it’s time we let Elena prove herself instead of tearing her down.”

The room buzzed with murmurs, and Victoria’s eyes narrowed. “And what makes you her knight in shining armor, Adrian?”

“I’m not,” he replied, his gaze flicking to me. “But I do know that anyone who survives what she has is stronger than you’re giving her credit for.”

I felt a surge of gratitude, though I wasn’t sure I trusted him yet.

Victoria didn’t respond, her jaw tightening as she turned on her heel and left the room. The crowd began to disperse, leaving me alone with Adrian once more.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he replied, his tone unreadable. “This fight’s far from over.”

And as I watched him walk away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right.