003

🌹JORDYN 🌹

At exactly three-thirty pm, I stood outside the gates of the Sinclairs’ estate. Vanessa wanted me over by three, but I didn’t want to appear desperate by sticking to time.

Even though I’d been within the vicinity since two pm, sitting in the car and waiting patiently to show up late.

For a place I hadn’t been in seven years, nothing much had changed except for a new gym that belonged to the Virellis’.

The road was still the same. Even the cafe where I usually sneaked out remained open… just five blocks away from where I worked.

Cafe County.

The same place where Ty would tell me to meet him after I was done with my chores. That very kitchen was the one Vanessa had poured hot coffee on my face.

With the painful memories drifting through my mind, I sighed shakily and readjusted my sunglasses. Nostalgia was eating me up, and I’d forced myself to move further to the gates.

“I’m here for Mrs. Sinclair,” I muttered to the security guard after he’d asked for my name. “I’m Jordyn Mercer. ‘’

“You mean, Lady Vanessa.”

Lady Vanessa… I should have known she’d taken that title after their wedding. Yet something about hearing it ripped my heart apart.

Wearing a small smile, I nodded, trying to act sane without showing the slightest emotion of how I truly felt inside.

“Sure.”

The sturdy man glanced at me again, his eyes dragging down my figure as he stood inside the gates, leaving me out.

“Do you have an appointment?”

The sun was already scorching on my skin, and my morning had already gone to hell after my car broke down.

I had to take a cab and halt a few buildings away.

“Yes. She wanted—‘’

Footsteps approached the gates at that moment, brushing me off my words.

“—Ms. Jordyn?”

Hearing her voice made me take another deep breath in relief. At least she came at the right time, and that would stop the questioning from the security guard who was probably new there.

A practiced smile settled on my lips while I took off my sunglasses, glancing at her. Vanessa wore a long flowing red dress, happiness radiating all over her.

Of course, she was happy. I mean, she got everything I wanted and more.

“Mrs. Sinclair,” I said modestly, taking a step back as she walked forward. “I was just about to call you.”

“I’m sorry for making you wait,” she said, signaling to the sturdy man to open the gates. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it here.”

Well, I didn’t want to.

The gates opened and I flashed the security guard a cold glare before strolling in, clutching my purse tightly.

“I… I had a crappy morning. My car broke down, and it was a lot of inconvenience.”

She led the way, looking pretty with her honey-blonde hair held in a slick ponytail. Her skin glowed under the sun like a bright diamond worth a fortune.

And her sweet scent of magnolia, slightly making me feel inferior before the sound of her calm voice.

“I’m sorry about that. Where is it now?”

Her heels clicked against the marble floor while my eyes darted around the space. Saying nothing had changed in that house would be lying.

Everything had changed. Pastel decorations replaced the old tones, and photos of the couple covered the walls.

Even the flowers Ty had in vases outside were… gone.

The same ones he always made sure were well taken care of. And I was always there to lend a helping hand.

I swallowed hard at the memory, walking into the living room after one of the guards standing opened the door for us.

“I’m having it fixed. Might be done later or tomorrow morning.”

Vanessa nodded, gesturing at the couch for me to take a seat. I had my eyes on the paintings on the wall, trying to find the one that was familiar.

“You can have a seat, Ms. Jordyn,” she told me, gesturing at the one-seater couch. “I’m delighted that you accepted my invitation.”

My lips pressed into another thin smile. I glanced at the wedding photo behind her as she sat down, then quickly shifted my gaze before she noticed.

“And I’m happy that you invited me.” I muttered, placing my purse next to me while I slipped my sunglasses inside.

Vanessa nodded subtly. “I should also apologize for yesterday. My husband was only trying to look out for me,” she said. I hated when she referred to him as that because it twisted something in my chest. “He didn’t mean anything he said.”

“It’s fine,” I shrugged, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I totally understand.”

“Thank you. I really hope this investment pulls through so he’ll see that you’re worth the effort.”

Well, we could only look forward to what it would bring—a silent comment in my head.

Someone walked in, wearing the same uniform I did seven years ago. Staring at the beige-colored dress with purple stripes made my breath shaky.

And I found myself wearing that same dress, my hands clasped behind my back as I answered Lady Belinda’s call after scampering at her thundering voice.

“Lady Vanessa?” The petite girl called in a soft voice, then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

I kept my expression neutral and pretended to be busy staring at the wall. Vanessa whispered something to the girl, then got up, her voice speaking to me.

“Ms. Jordyn,” she called quietly after about ten seconds. “I need to check what the chef is doing. I’ll join you soon.”

I nodded, secretly celebrating her absence because it was enough time to do whatever I wanted. “Okay.”

“Just make yourself comfortable,” she added. “And let any of the housekeepers know if you need anything.”

Too bad they wouldn’t be able to offer me what I truly needed. Still, I flashed her another small smile as she walked away.

After she’d walked completely out of sight, I turned around to stare at everything. Memories rushed through my mind at the slightest hint of a smell or a sight.

My stomach twisted. I’d spent years in this house—only to be discarded like I meant nothing.

Slowly, I walked around, my eyes glancing at every painting while my fingers brushed over them.

But I couldn’t remember the last time I painted… probably seven years ago, a few days before Ty’s birthday.

It was a painting of him, and I recalled him hugging me tightly after receiving it. He’d held it for minutes, whispering sweet words into my ears and promising to cherish it forever.

That was the same painting my eyes were searching for, yet I couldn’t find it anywhere in the living room.

I wanted to see it again and know if he still had it up or had discarded it like he’d done to me.

I wanted to know if whatever we had was real. If he still had thoughts about me or had forgotten that I ever existed.

Even when I had all these painful, doubtful answers etched at the back of my mind, which I’d revisited every night.

The only place I’d seen it was in his room. And that was after our last makeout session before chaos descended and ripped us apart.

I doubted if he still slept alone or had Vanessa moved into the room with him. I mean, they were a couple now, so they definitely had to share a room.

But was it his old room? Or another one?

Observing my environment, there weren’t many workers around. My feet dragged towards the staircase before I could stop them, walking to a room I shouldn’t even be in.

It was insane to think that I still remembered the way to his room. And painfully, walking back there felt like the times where I’d sneak in under everyone’s noses, hiding behind a bucket or a broom.

A few steps away from his door in the hallway, I caught sight of one of the housekeepers. She held some folded sheets in her hands, and I had to quickly hide behind the nearest corner so she wouldn’t see me.

She walked past me, opening one of the guest rooms I recalled cleaning before. Heaving a deep sigh after she’d left, I carefully walked over to Ty’s door.

My fingers tightened around the knob, pushed the door open slowly, and smiled when I watched it open.

He probably wasn’t in the room or anywhere around the house. Ty never left his door open no matter what he was doing—at least, that was what I remembered about him.

Forcing my heels to remain as quiet as possible was hard to do while walking in. My eyes scanned every area, every decor, searching for the slightest change that proved everything was different now.

He still had his beige curtains, which he’d sworn were too plain for his liking. His bed was tattered as usual—typical Tyrique. Nothing had changed at all, and for some reason, that sent relief washing over my mind.

No photos whatsoever of the couple. Only a portrait of his favorite movie character hung on the wall. I curled my lips into a warm smile before I could stop myself, my fingertips brushing against my cheeks.

“Honey? Is that you?”

I froze instantly.

My heart stuttered at the sound of his voice. I spun around and glanced at the bathroom door where I’d heard his voice, my eyes widening in shock.

Ty was… here?

Paying attention to the room now, I realized that he was in the shower and heard the noise.

I slammed my hand into my forehead, reprimanding myself for taking such a risk. What the fuck was I even thinking?

I didn’t respond, so I tried to tiptoe out of the room without him hearing. Slowly, I moved my leg after turning around towards the door, but my eyes caught something peeking out from the drawer.

An ash-colored paper with a familiar image that was only half-exposed. I could tell that image from anywhere because… I was ‘the’ artist.

“Honey?” He called again, and this time, the shower stopped running. “Can you please pick out my outfit for the shower occasion?”

I shut my eyes tightly, caught between sneaking out and staying there, listening to the smooth sound of his voice and feeding my delusions.

For years, I’d picked out his outfits—laughing when he complained, fixing his collar when he got it wrong.

I used to think I’d be doing it for the rest of my life. My gaze flickered to the wardrobe… then to the bathroom door.

He didn’t know it. But today, it wouldn’t be Vanessa choosing anything for him.

It would be me.

Why?

Because some things were never really meant to end.