THE MAN IN THE GARDEN.

Chapter: 7

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SORA:

Mirabelle Blaster, that name kept playing over and over in my head the entire drive. The Blasters weren’t just powerful; they controlled half of the city. Everyone knew and feared them. Before I could even process everything that was happening and why the hell the fiancée of a billionaire was out in the middle of nowhere so late picking up strays, we arrived in front of a massive iron gate.

When it opened, there was a long driveway, lights shining on our path, and the compound was massive. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. My eyes were literally glued to the window, staring with my jaw dropped.

I’d seen pictures of the Blaster estate, but I never thought that in an entire lifetime I would ever get the opportunity to step inside it. It all felt like a fever dream… and there was a high possibility that this was actually a dream.

The house…no, mansion — stood tall, a glorious sight.

And after a moment, the car stopped.

Before I could even open the door, servants appeared, moving quickly and quietly toward us. Mirabelle got down first, one of them taking the umbrella from her.

“Get a room ready, the one in the guest wing.” A servant opened my door, and she gestured for me to come.

I hesitated for half a moment, then stepped out with Beauty still in my arms. My legs felt weak, my body exhausted, but the adrenaline pushed me forward. Inside, the estate was even more breathtaking. Was this really happening to me? I asked myself that question till she led me upstairs.

“This… was the guest room?” I asked, looking around. I had no words, not a single word, to describe this place. This was what they considered a guest room. There was a massive bed with a huge blanket, beautiful bedside tables, and extraordinary paintings lining the wall.

“Put her down,” she said, and I did exactly that, laying Beauty on the bed. My hands were shaking as I pulled the covers over her. It was so warm; she sighed softly, curling into the warmth.

Mirabelle turned to the servants. “Bring food…something warm, water, and juice.”

They bowed and left. “It’s already morning, but later today I’ll get someone to look after her, a proper doctor. What I need from you both is to eat and get enough rest. You both have been through so much.”

I felt a kind of relief that I’d never felt before. I had no idea when I fell to the ground and started to thank her. “Thank… you. Thank… you.” I was trying my hardest not to cry.

“Get some rest,” she said. “The food will be here in no time.” And with that, she turned and left.

When the food arrived, I didn’t even recognise half of what was on the tray, but it smelled so good, and there was so much. It looked like it could feed Beauty and me for an entire week. I helped Beauty up, and as I began feeding her, she gave me a smile, and that alone mended my broken heart.

After that, I ate like a man who had no idea where the next meal was going to come from, because I actually didn’t. Everything felt delicious, and it was like nothing my taste buds had ever known. Even with how plentiful the food was, I finished every single bite.

I turned to look at my Angel, who was sleeping peacefully for the first time in days. There was no smell of trash or leaky roofs. Everywhere was warm, just like she liked it. I didn’t think about the job Mirabelle had talked about, because she gave me and my daughter food and shelter. I was ready to do anything for her.

I sat on the bed for a moment, just staring around.

For years, I’d prayed to the Goddess for help.

I never thought she listened. I thought she’d turned her back on me, because all this felt like a dream. I touched the soft bed again to make sure all of this was real. I lay back gently against the bed, and a whimper escaped my lips. Beauty was already far gone, and I closed my eyes too, letting the softness of the bed sink in fully.

When my eyes opened again, the bright morning light was already sipping in through the window. I turned to look at Beauty, but the space beside me was empty. I touched the space where my daughter had been laying, as if I hadn't seen correctly, but it was actually empty.

“Beauty,” I called as panic spread through every inch of my body.

But there was no answer.

My heart began to race as I stumbled to my feet, fear already resting deep inside of me. She had just been right there. I rushed toward the door, throwing it open and stepping into the hallway barefoot.

“Bee,” I called again, louder this time.

Still nothing.

Suddenly, the estate felt like a maze with no end. I moved faster, almost running now. My chest burned as dread settled inside me. My mind raced with a thousand horrible possibilities, then I heard a laugh.

It was hers.

I followed the sound. My steps slowed when I reached a beautiful garden, and there she was, with her small hand in that of a man I couldn’t recognise.

She was smiling, and she looked genuinely happy.

But the thing was, Beauty never warmed up to anyone — he was the first.

His presence was commanding, but the way he was smiling down at her was… beautiful. He held her in place, preventing her from falling when she stumbled.

“Beauty,” I called when I was close enough.

“Papa,” she said, running into my arms. I instantly picked her up.

The man walked toward us. He was dressed in a black suit, his shoulders broad and his eyes breathtaking… I shouldn’t have noticed that.

“Your daughter is really beautiful,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you,” I whispered, smiling back.

“Zane Blaster,” he introduced, stretching his hand.

“Sora,” I replied, taking his hand in mine, and the moment I did, there was this weird sense of déjà vu, like I’d met him before. But I didn’t know when or where.