A Gift That Means Goodbye

ELOWEN'S POV

“For someone who isn't even a real Thorne.”

I heard the words as I passed the threshold. They came from the staircase, spoken so casually that it was clear the person had no fear of hurting my feelings.

The staff had lined up in the entrance hall, as they always did whenever Cassian came home. The housekeeper greeted him with a warm smile. A maid hurried over to collect his jacket, while someone asked if he had eaten. Another mentioned that his car had been taken to the back.

Everyone seemed happy to see him.

Then their eyes shifted to me, and the warmth disappeared from their faces. I continued walking. Years of living in this house had taught me how to move around quietly, as though I had to apologise for taking up space.

Near the foot of the stairs, two maids were arranging white roses in a tall vase. The younger one leaned to the older one and spoke low but not low enough.

“All this money spent on a party, and for who? Someone who isn't even a real Thorne.”

I didn't slow down or let my expression falter. I had heard worse things in this house, but never with Cassian standing just a few feet away.

“What did you say?”

His voice was calm. Somehow, that made it more frightening than if he had shouted. The maid froze, a rose stem trapped in between her fingers.

“Nothing, sir.”

“Then you shouldn't have a problem saying it again.”

“I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to…”

I caught his sleeve as he took a step towards her. “Please. Let it go.”

He looked down at my hand then at me. His expression was hard, but I knew his anger wasn't directed at me.

“Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Act as though people can treat you however they want.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The truth was too painful to explain in front of the servants. I had been tolerated in this house that I no longer knew what it felt like to have someone stand up for me.

Cassian waited for an answer. When I didn't give any, he shook his head in frustration and breathed out through his nose. Still, he didn't pull his arm away from my hand. He walked with me up the stairs, matching my slow pace.

He stopped at my bedroom door. “Be ready by seven.”

“I will.”

“And wear the necklace.”

I nodded and touched the little moon pendant at my throat.

He saw the action, and a glint appeared in his eyes. As I was about to figure out what it meant, he walked away with his hands in his pockets. He had no idea that every kind thing he did drew me nearer to him.

I had barely taken a dress from my wardrobe when someone knocked on my door. I had not answered when the door opened.

Mother never visited my room for no reason. She stood in the doorway wearing a champagne-coloured gown, her hair perfectly styled. She was holding a small white box tied with a thin ribbon.

“I brought you something.”

I stared at the box, then at her. A small feeling of excitement rose inside me.

“For me?”

“Who else would it be for?”

I took the box from her and pulled off the ribbon. Inside lay a bank card and a folded sheet of paper. I opened the paper and read the first few lines.

It was a rental agreement for an apartment on the other side of the city. From the description, it was a modest place, nothing like the mansion I had lived in for years.

I looked up at her. “What is this?”

“Your graduation gift.”

“I don't understand.”

She crossed the room and sat on the end of my bed, carefully smoothing the silk over her knees.

“You're twenty-two now, Elowen. You've finished university, and it's time for you to learn to live on your own.”

The air in the room became suffocating. “Are you asking me to leave?”

“I'm telling you that it's time.”

“But why now?”

She sighed. As usual, my questions were getting on her nerves.

“People talk, Elowen. You live under the same roof as Cassian, and you're no longer a child. I don't want unnecessary gossip to damage this family.”

The edge of the bank card but into my palm. “What does Cassian think?”

“Your stepfather and I have discussed it. This is the best arrangement.”

“You didn't ask me.”

She looked at me without the slightest hint of guilt. “Would asking have changed anything?”

Her words landed like a blow. I stared at the woman who used to hold me close through thunderstorms and hummed while braiding my hair. I searched her face for some sign of the mother I remembered but she wouldn't meet my eyes. Instead, she was focused on the carpet under her feet.

“Did I do something wrong, Mother?”

Her countenance changed. Her lips parted, as if she wanted to say something meaningful. Then she looked the other way.

“No. Don't make this difficult.”

She stood, ending the conversation. I followed her to the door, barefooted.

“Does Cassian know?”

“He knows you're becoming independent.”

“That's not what I asked.”

“Don't drag him into this, Elowen. You've always depended on him too much. People are beginning to talk.”

My face grew hot. “He's my family.”

“Exactly. So behave like it.”

I had nothing to say. The words caught in my throat.

She lowered her voice, as though someone might be listening from the other side of the wall. “Your stepfather has worked hard to give us a respectable life. I won't allow your behaviour to put my place in this family at risk.”

“What behaviour?”

“Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.”

My eyes began to sting. I had never told Cassian how I felt about him, never crossed any boundaries or asked him for anything beyond the kindness he offered willingly. Yet somehow, the feelings I had hidden for years had become what I was expected to be ashamed of.

She left.

I sat on the bed with the bank card in my hand. For years, I had done everything to earn my place in this house. I was invisible, made sure I never asked for too much. I always cleared my plate and thanked everyone for every meal, no matter how small the gesture. I had tried so hard to be the kind of person nobody could complain about.

Apparently, none of it had mattered.

I picked up the rental agreement again and read the last section. The deposit had been paid for. The lease had been signed three weeks ago.

This wasn't a sudden decision. They had planned to send me away long before my graduation day.

Another knock came at the door. I looked up to find the same maid from downstairs standing in the doorway.

“Madam says you should hurry. The guests will arrive soon.”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “Okay.”

Her eyes fell on the white box on my lap and gave a shrug. “At least you're getting a gift. Some people leave this house with nothing.”

I said nothing and she walked away.

Slowly, I unclasped the moon necklace from my neck. The tiny pendant rested in my palm, hardly heavier than a coin. I thought about the drive home that afternoon. I remembered Cassian's fingers brushing the back of my neck as he fastened the chain. I remembered the way he had looked at me and said, ‘Of course I remembered’. He had made it sound so natural.

I could tell him.

I could walk to his room, knock on his door, and tell him everything. I could explain that my mother was sending me away and finally admit that I had loved him for years, that living under the same roof as him had been both my greatest happiness and my deepest pain.

But what would happen after that?

He would probably go quiet. Then he would look at me with those gentle eyes and say something kind enough to break my heart.

“I'll miss you, little sister.”

I couldn't bear to hear those words from him. I closed my fingers around the pendant and fastened it on my neck again. Then I stood in front of the mirror and smoothed my hair. The girl staring back at me was composed. I decided to trust her.

Tonight, I would smile, thank everyone for the celebration, and leave without causing trouble. I had spent my whole life trying not to become a burden to anyone. I wasn't going to start failing at it now.

My phone buzzed on the dresser. I picked it up and read the message on the screen.

“Your apartment is ready. You will leave tomorrow morning. Do not tell Cassian until after the party.”

I read it again, hoping I had misunderstood.

Tomorrow morning?

I had less than twelve hours left in the only place where I had felt safe, and with the only person who had ever made me feel that way and he didn't even know I was leaving.