CHAPTER FOUR

The moment I walked into Adam Saif's decadent mansion, preceded by Lee, I could feel the weight of the decadence as much as the subliminal tension present in the room.

The house was gorgeous, an engineering masterpiece of smooth lines and grand open spaces, but it is soulless. It never does have the look or feel of home.

Lee, however, doesn't notice any of that. She's too busy gazing around in awe, her small hands clasped tightly around mine as she throws back her head to see the high ceilings.

"Mommy, look, It's like a castle!" she breathed in awe, her eyes sparkling.

I smiled down at her, squeezing my hold on her hand reassuringly. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She nods enthusiastically, then her mood falls, and she looks up at me questioningly. "Do you think Sami likes castles too?"

I gaze out over the sweeping staircase, where I know Sami is hiding somewhere up above. "I think he might."

The rustle of footsteps jolted me, and I turned as Adam appeared. He's wearing a crisp black button-down, two buttons undone, sleeves rolled up to reveal hard forearms. His eyes darted between me and my daughter, something unreadable flashing across his dark eyes.

"This way," he said, his voice even but distant, as if already regretting the arrangement.

I followed him down a stunning hallway, Lee skipping along, her small sneakers making barely a sound on the extremely shiny marble floors. 

Adam led us into a spacious guest room, the walls the pale color of ivory, with a king bed and a window facing out over the garden. It's nicer than any room I ever slept in, but for some reason it still seemed too impersonal, like it was a perfectly decorated hotel room.

Lee, however, was too thrilled to care. She sprinted over to the bed and collapsed on it, her giggles filling the room. "Mommy! It's so soft!"

A light, bemused breath escaped my lips. "It is."

Adam waited in the doorway, unremarkably silent. His expression was neutral, but I didn't miss the manner in which his eyes lingered on Lee's exuberant energy, so different from the anguished quiet of his own son.

"This is where you'll stay whenever you're here."

"Thanks for letting us stay here," I told him, turning to glance at his eyes.

He nodded once very stiffly if you ask me.

"Just try to keep her from making too much trouble."

Before I could respond, he started walking away.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, sighing and watching as Lee bobbled on her knees.

"Alright, honey. We have a lot to do so let's get you ready."

She pouted but obeyed, climbing off the bed and heading towards the bathroom. As I was unpacking our things, I could hear soft shuffling outside the room.

I turned around, my heart tightening at the sight of Sami standing there, half-concealed by the doorframe.

Lee saw him too. She said nothing. She didn't rush him. She just waved slightly before ducking into the bathroom.

As expected, Sami didn't react. But he didn't leave either.

My heart ached for him.

"Hello, Sami," I whispered.

He didn't say anything, but something in his posture shifted ever so slightly and turning away, he disappeared down the hallway.

***********

I could hear her from my office.

Maya's voice was soft and calming. She said something and laughter followed, a child's laughter. Definitely that of her daughter.

Did I hear Sami name? I leaned back in my chair, pinching my fingers against my temple.

I don't understand. She's only been here for a few hours, and already everything's changed. The house is fuller. The silence that had shrouded these walls for months is no more.

It's not magic and I know it. But it's definitely something and I'm not sure I like it.

I shouldn't have let her bring her daughter here. I should have said no.

And yet… I couldn't help but see the shift in Sami's demeanor. 

He hasn't said anything or done anything significant. But something is different in the way he looks. There's interest in his eyes.

And it's because of her.

Who is this woman and why does she get to change things I'd accepted as irreparable?

***********

The next morning, I woke to the soft pressure of a small body against me.

Lee had gotten into bed with me sometime during the night.

I threaded a hand through her curls, watching the peaceful rise and fall of her chest. My daughter, my whole world.

And now, somehow, we're swept up in a life I never could have predicted.

I got out of bed carefully, pulling the blankets around Lee before making my way into the en-suite bathroom. I washed up quickly and was back in the bedroom just as my daughter was waking.

She stretched, yawning sleepily, then blinked up at me. "Mommy?"

"Morning, sweetheart," I whisper, sitting down on the bed.

She rubs her eyes. "Is it time to go to work?"

A laugh escaped. “Almost. Let's get dressed first."

We got dressed and went downstairs. The dining room was empty, but on the long table, a sumptuous breakfast was laid out: pancakes, fruit, and freshly squeezed juice.

Lee's eyes widened as she took it in. "Wow! Is all this for us?" she exclaimed.

I smiled, holding out a chair for her. "I suppose."

Just as we were sitting down, I felt eyes upon me.

I wondered who and I looked up, straight into Adam's eyes.

He was standing at the doorway, arms crossed, his face expressionless.

We just stared at each other for a bit.

Then his voice cut through the air.

"Come to my office after breakfast."

There was no pleasantries, no explanation, no emotion. Just a command.

I nod slowly. "Okay."

Lee and I ate silently, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting. 

…………

After breakfast, I head to Adam's office, my heart pounding steadily but on high alert. I opened the door, and he was seated behind his massive desk, his fingers steepled.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, attempting to be nonchalant.

He stared at me for a while. "You need to move in full-time."