1.

Eva

—

The sky outside my window looked wide and pale with the December sun already beginning to hide behind the sleepy clouds. I traced the glass slowly with my fingers as Mateo, Chloe's driver, drove the car past trees already frosted by the early winter. We were only a few miles from the Callahans’ estate, and I still couldn’t decide whether I was making a good decision or not.

Chloe had insisted, more like demanded that I come stay with her for Christmas. I hadn’t fought it much, though I did protest a bit because the truth was, I needed to leave my house. I needed to breathe somewhere else. At least where the air smelled fresh.

My heart was still freshly bruised from everything that happened with—well, with him. My ex. The boyfriend who decided he was done with me via a voice note, showing no remorse at all and certainly not prepared to give explanations.

Chloe knew I’d be too stubborn to admit I was breaking, so she sent their driver and told me to pack. And now here I was with a suitcase on my lap, winding through familiar roads.

•Yesterday•

I had spent most of the night curled up in my bed and drowned under my blanket while the sharp ache from my chest refused to let me sleep. My phone lay on the floor and buzzed occasionally with fake concern from people who only messaged when drama was trending.

“Very opportunistic people,” I had cursed under my breath. And of course I didn’t even bother replying. Another thing…I didn’t even cry, I just lay there. You don't expect me to cry over that. 

He cheated. I didn't. 

There wasn’t even a fight…not even one. It was just one late-night confession he made over the phone and then a dry, half-hearted apology before his line went dead. And a week later, the world still expected me to breathe like nothing shattered.

Like I'm not lost. 

As if that wasn't punishment enough, my house was as cold as a graveyard. I hated the silence of my house. So much. Every room echoed too much and my mind wandered too far.

So yeah, maybe I needed this though not the mansion or her extravagant family, but just the noise. Maybe I needed something loud…. Something loud enough to drown out the sound of my heartbreak. I only hope I'm right.

I didn’t pack much— I only took the basics then a few book, my favorite pink sweater, and a red velvet dress Chloe always said looked sinful on me. Not that I actually planned to wear it.

This morning, Mateo showed up late. Honking outside in the Callahans’ black SUV with the windows rolled down and a grin that looked more like a smirk. 

Our drive out of my house to Chloe's felt like a slow exhale. The deeper we got into the countryside, the quieter the world became. Many trees lined the roads like watchful giants and frost kissed the windows in very delicate patterns. It really felt like stepping into a different life and it felt really nice.

{—}

I squinted my eyes just as our car passed the Billboard that read “Callahan Estate.” I must have been jilted back by the sun's rays gleaming in my eyes. 

We'd passed a few more houses when I took a more closer look at the sky.

The sky looked grey, not cloudy and not exactly dark, just... heavy. Like it understood what I was carrying. 

But that was my broken heart speaking. The sky actually smelt of peppermint butter, filled with the white snow flakes that had started falling, though not much. 

Soon, the Callahan estate stood ahead like a dream wrapped in snow. Tall stone walls, dark wood shutters and a string of golden lights already glowing around the windows. 

We stepped inside, the door leading to the house was already decked out in early Christmas spirit. Meteo was behind me, carrying my luggages. Gold and red ribbons curled around the stair railings. A tree taller than most adults stood proud in the living room, glittering with ornaments. Everything smelled like cinnamon and baked things. And everything reminded me of the days I had spent with the Callahan family. 

Chloe came down the staircase running in fuzzy socks and silk shorts with her arms flung wide open. “Finally! I was really beginning to think you ditched me.’

“Slow down, babe.” I called out already knowing her next line of action. And…I was right. 

“You took forever!” she yelled, stomping on my feet with boots I’m sure cost more than my entire outfit. “I was about to call the cops.”

“Ouch!, Is the new plan to break my legs?” I shot her a glaring stare before I let her into my arms.

“God, you really look like heartbreak,” she whispered in my ear.

“And you look like Chanel’s bad idea of a cowgirl,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

She grinned. “That’s the goal girl.”

For what seemed like forever Chloe wouldn't let go of me.

“Chloe!”

“A little more—”

“No, that's enough.” I said, before slowly pulling her hands off me. 

“Everyone’s here already,” Chloe said, taking my suitcase from Mateo. “Even Aunt Lydia came yesterday. Ugh.”

“Aunt Lydia?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’ll see for yourself.”

And I did, almost too quickly.

In the living room Aunt Lydia was already posted up on the velvet couch with a wine glass perched delicately in her manicured fingers. She was: Chloe’s aunt, Chloe's mother's younger sister.

The same from what I remembered loud laugh, too much perfume. She wore a red tight, low, and flashy blouse. As always her laugh was inviting and her blouse too unbuttoned.

Eva!” she cooed. “You’re all grown and glowing.”

I smiled tightly, covering my disgust. “You haven’t changed at all.”

She sipped and chuckled slowly, her eyes sharp. “Oh, I’ve changed sweetheart. You’ll see.”

She even barely acknowledged me because her attention was focused at the man standing beside the fireplace—Dominic Callahan.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him.

He stood by the staircase with one hand in his pocket and the other cradling a glass of something dark. He didn’t say a word and almost immediately he had walked to the window. I guess, even Mr. Dominic haven't changed one bit because staring out that window have got to be his signature move. 

And for a brief second, the weight in my chest shifted into something else entirely. Something dangerous, something I didn’t want to feel.

At least not yet.