Chapter two

CHAPTER TWO

MRS. ASHBOURNE

ELENA

I got married to Victor the day before and it was time to move in with him and his family. I stood at the entrance of the Ashbourne estate with a single suitcase beside me.

For a moment, I simply stared at the enormous mansion in front of me. I couldn't believe this was going to be my home, at least, for now, I silently hoped.

The house looked even more beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. Tall windows covered the front of the mansion, and the perfectly trimmed gardens stretched on both sides of the long driveway.

Everything about the place reminded me that I had stepped into a world completely different from the one I had known.

I looked down at my old suitcase, it was quite rusty and embarrassing, one wheel was missing and the handle had been repaired some time ago with tape. It was the only thing I had brought with me. I looked at my dress, although neat, it looked faded, and my heels had to be the simplest thing I had on me.

"Mrs. Ashbourne?"

I turned.

A woman in her fifties stood a few feet away, wearing a neat black dress and a warm smile.

"I'm Mrs. Collins," she introduced herself politely. "Mr. Ashbourne asked me to make sure you were comfortable."

"Thank you." I replied politely.

She reached for my suitcase.

"I can carry it." I said, clutching the suitcase firmly.

"I know you can," she said kindly. "But you don't have to anymore, you are an Ashbourne now”.

I hesitated before allowing her to take it. As I followed her inside, I couldn't stop myself from moping from time to time.

The entrance hall was enormous, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, expensive paintings decorated the walls, and the marble floor gleamed beneath my feet.

I felt more intimidated than before. 

"You'll get used to it," Mrs. Collins said.

"I don't think I will." I said and lowered my gaze.

She smiled. "You'd be surprised."

Before I could answer, I heard footsteps coming from the staircase. I looked up, two ladies were walking towards us.

The first had long brown hair, the second had slightly darker hair. They both stopped when they saw me.

The lady with the brown hair eyed me with disgust. "Who are you?." She asked pompously.

I nodded. "I'm Elena, you must be Clara and Vivienne"

They didn't answer me, instead they started talking to each other like I wasn't even there.

“Would you take a look at the bag she came with?” Clara turned to ask Vivienne, loud enough for me to hear.

“I’m shocked as well. Is this the new housemaid or what?” Vivienne answered and chuckled, not even bothering to lower her voice.

I smiled awkwardly. “Are you both talking to me?”

They both turned and faced me, then let out a loud hiss in unison.

“Why would we be talking to you?” Clara asked, dragging the last word like it tasted bad.

The other lady stepped forward. “Who are you? I believe you were not deaf when my sister asked you.”

I stared at them, visibly surprised. “I’m your new mommy,” I replied after finally finding my voice.

Clara laughed. A short, sharp sound. “You?”

My smile faded. This was nothing like I thought it would be. I’d expected things to be uncomfortable, after all, I had married their father who was far older than me. But I hadn’t really expected the open dislike.

Clara didn’t move to touch me. “We’ll show you around,” she said flatly. It wasn't an offer, instead it was more of an order.

“You don’t have to,” I declined politely.

“We know,” Vivienne cut in rudely. “But Dad said we should.”  

And with that, they walked ahead, leaving me to follow behind them through the mansion.

The library was filled with books from floor to ceiling. There was a music room, a private sitting room, several guest rooms and a huge garden at the back of the estate, even a private cinema room and bathrooms, all with a taste I have never seen nor imagined before.

By the time we reached my bedroom, I was already overwhelmed.

I stopped at the doorway. "This is mine?" I asked, taken completely aback.

Clara didn’t smile. She just looked me up and down. "Yes."

I stepped inside. The room was bigger than anywhere I had ever lived.

A large bed stood in the centre of the spacious room, covered in white sheets and soft pillows. There was a sitting area near the windows and a dressing table beside a large mirror.

Then I noticed the wardrobe. I opened it and it was filled with clothes.

I turned around. "These aren't mine."

"They are now," Vivienne said flatly. "Dad bought them."

I shook my head. "I can't accept all this."

Clara crossed her arms. "Why? Too good for you?"

"Because I don't need so much," I said firmly.

She raised a brow. "Elena, you're not here as a guest."

I looked at her.

"You're our father's wife," she added. "Whether we like it or not."

Vivienne let out a short laugh. "And we're not going to pretend this is normal just because Dad said so."

I swallowed. "I see."

Clara didn’t reply.

That evening, I went downstairs for dinner. Victor was already seated at the dining table. His eyes lifted when I entered.

"Elena," he called.

"Good evening," I greeted.

"Come and sit," he said, motioning to the chair beside him. I nodded and took the seat beside him.

Clara and Vivienne joined us a few moments later. They sat across from me and didn’t look at me.

Dinner was quiet, like too quiet.

"So," Clara said, breaking the silence. "Are you deaf?"

Vivienne snorted. "Or stupid?"

Ladies," Victor said sharply.

"What?" Clara asked innocently. "We’re just asking. She didn’t answer when we asked her name earlier."

I kept my eyes on my plate. "I heard you."

"Good," Vivienne said. "Because we’re not going to repeat ourselves."

Victor set his fork down. "Enough."

The rest of dinner passed in silence and after dinner, they left without saying goodnight.

Victor turned towards me. "How was your first day?"

"Fine," I replied quietly.

"Only fine?" he asked.

I forced a smile. "It’s a lot."

"Clara and Vivienne?" he asked.

I hesitated. "They’re... adjusting."

He nodded slowly. "Give them time."

He leaned back. "Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Your family?" he asked.

"The money arrived," I replied.

Victor nodded. "And the debts?"

"Cleared," I said.

"Good," he said.

I smiled weakly. "My mother called me."

"What did she say?" he asked.

"She cried," I said.

Victor's expression softened. "She was relieved?"

"Very," I looked down. "Thank you, Victor."

He was quiet. "I told you I would take care of it."

"I know," I said.

"And I really meant it," he said.

"You don't have to feel guilty about what you did," he added.

I swallowed. "I don't."

"You sacrificed something for your family," he said.

I looked away. "I had to."

"I understand," his voice softened. "And Elena, this marriage doesn't mean you have to become someone you're not."

I smiled faintly. "Thank you."

He nodded. "You should get some rest."

I stood. "Goodnight, Victor."

"Goodnight, Elena," he replied.

I went upstairs feeling like an intruder. This house was big, and it was cold.

The next two days passed. Clara and Vivienne avoided me. 

They "forgot" to tell me about lunch,they gave me directions that led me to the locked east wing, they laughed when I came down in the wrong dress for breakfast.

For the first time in years, I wasn't thinking about my family's debts because they were gone and my family was safe. But I was alone.

On the third evening, I was sitting in the sitting room alone when Victor walked in. He looked unusually serious.

"Where is Clara and Vivienne?" he asked.

"Upstairs," I said.

He looked at me. "Elena, I need to tell you something."

I straightened. "What is it?"

Victor paused. "Someone will be joining us for dinner tomorrow."

I waited. "Who?"

A small silence followed.

Then Victor said, "Someone from the family who has been away for quite some time."

I frowned. "Who?"

Victor only gave me a knowing look. "You'll meet him tomorrow."

He walked away. I sat there, with no one to ask. 

As I went upstairs that night, one question kept returning to my mind.

Who was the person coming home to the Ashbourne family and why did everyone seem so tense about his arrival?