SEVENTEEN

KATE'S POV:

After everyone had dispersed after breakfast, I had left Evelyn at the dinning table and headed to the garden. I didn't need her ruining my day as she did breakfast for me.

I took the front entrance walked through the garden.

The sun filtered softly through the garden canopy, dappling the freshly turned soil with golden hues. Morning dew still clung to the petals of my lilies, their heads swaying gently with the breeze.

Della had instructed that a canopy be fixed for the garden in case of when it rains. And it was the kind that could be closed and opened either for rain or direct sunlight for the plants.

There was a certain kind of peace that came with tending the garden, its silence was meditative, its rhythm grounding.

After breakfast, I had decided against changing into something different, I didn't care about the mud staining my dress or my feet, and made my way to the garden with my gloves, a small trowel, and a heart that longed for escape.

I wasn’t alone this time. Aunt Leda had arrived after me, out with a wide brimmed straw hat and an enthusiasm that rivaled my own. "Here's your own straw hat, my dear." she said, handing me one. I took it from her and gently placed it on my head.

Adjusting the straps properly so it wouldn't tangle or get stuck with my hair.

She was one of the few members of Nikolai’s family who had treated me kindly so far, and I found myself genuinely enjoying her company. Her gray streaked hair peeked out beneath her hat, and her hands, though aged, worked the soil with practiced ease.

I mean I had talked with the rest of the family members, but Aunt Leda was the only one that went through her way to be with me, to have a connection with me.

“So,” she began, easing herself beside the rose bush I was trimming, “how are you settling in, dear?”

I wiped my brow with the back of my glove. “I’m doing okay. It’s a beautiful home. The people…” I trailed off.

"Your people are really nice and warming. I really thought I would have had to do a lot to impress you guys." I said to her.

She chuckled knowingly. “We can be a handful. But you’re doing fine. You’ve got spirit. And we know you're good enough for our Nikolai. And we thank you for being with him.” She said, taking my palm into hers.

That made me smile. I clipped a dead leaf, watching it fall. “I love this garden. It reminds me of my mother. She loved lilies.”

Little does she know. It pricks my heart to know that we're lying and fooling Nikolai's family. They didn't know that all this was an act, and Nikolai and I, don't even get along at all.

Aunt Leda paused, leaning on her knees. “Oh dear, I'm sure you must miss her so much.”

I hesitated, my fingers brushing the soft petals of a white lily. “My mom passed away when I was fourteen. Breast cancer. It was… fast. Too fast. I had to move across states to come live with my Dad and his family.”

“Oh, sweetheart…” Aunt Leda’s voice was soft, filled with compassion. I never really opened up to anyone, aside my best friend. But Aunt Leda looked like someone who could understand.

“It’s okay,” I said quickly, offering a faint smile. “It’s been years now. I’ve learned to carry it. She was strong, though. Even when the treatments made her weak, she still smiled. Still baked me cookies when I was having a bad day. We still went around her garden and picked flowers and all that. She was one brave woman.”

Aunt Leda reached out and gave my wrist a gentle squeeze. “She sounds like a beautiful soul.”

“She was.”

For a few minutes, we worked in silence. The dirt packed easily under my fingers, and I planted a few more seeds in a fresh patch beside the daisies. The sun warmed my back, and despite the heaviness of the memory, I felt light.

“I always wanted to bake,” I said suddenly, my voice cutting through the garden's gentle lull. “I used to watch all these shows and read recipes. My mum and I… we used to experiment with cakes. After she died, I stopped. But lately, I’ve been thinking of doing it again. I want to do something good. Something that feels like mine.”

Aunt Leda turned to me, her eyes crinkled kindly. “Then do it, Kate. Follow that feeling. The best things in life come when we listen to what our hearts whisper. Even though he turns out not to work out, at least we listened and learnt from it.”

I nodded, feeling something tighten in my chest, a knot of emotion I hadn’t expected.

We kept tending to the garden, replanting where needed, watering others, and pulling out weeds that had dared take root among the flowers. Aunt Leda hummed an old tune under her breath, a melody I didn’t recognize but found calming.

As I reached for the watering can, something prickled at the back of my neck. I glanced up slowly, subtly and my eyes met a shadowed gaze from the mansion window above.

Evelyn.

She stood there, arms crossed, her stare as cold as marble. Her sharp cheekbones cast shadows across her face, and the expression she wore was unreadable, almost calculating. My stomach twisted.

“Kate?” Aunt Leda’s voice brought me back.

“Hmm?”

“You went quiet.”

I forced a smile. “Just… felt a chill.”

Aunt Leda followed my gaze but saw nothing; by then, Evelyn had disappeared from the window.

“Come,” she said, dusting off her skirt. “Let’s finish the flower bed near the fence. I want to plant those tulips Della had brought.”

I nodded, shaking off the unease. But as we worked side by side, I couldn’t help but feel Evelyn’s eyes were still on me even if I couldn’t see her.

"Can I ask you something, Aunt Leda?" I spoke, I needed to ask about Evelyn and why she's way to creepy for my liking. Since I've grown a bond with Aunt Leda, she wouldn't see it as hating on a family member.

"Sure, sure my dear. Ask whatever it is, I'll answer it as long I know the answer to it." she said, she spoke so kindly and motherly. She reminded me so much of mum.

"How do you see Evelyn?" I asked.

"How do I see her? I'm not sure I understand what you ask dear. Csn you rephrase the question and ask it again?" Aunt Leda said.

"Okay- okay. I meant, how do Evelyn come off to you? Is she nice, weird or just like that."

"Oh, I get you know. Well, from what you're asking, it looks like Evelyn is onto you too." She said laughing, exposing her wide smile, which made me smile too.

"Well, not really, but she has been watching me like a hawk trying to look for something to feed on. Is that normal or-?"

"She means no harm actually. She's just inspecting you, trying to see if you're a good or bad guy. It will take time, but she'll come around. She's not just sure if she can trust you yet. And she's autistic, so it will take time for her to come around." Aunt Leda explained to me. And now I understood.

Why didn't Nikolai just say all this to me last night?

"And don't pressure her to come around, you put on an act to make her like you, just be yourself and she'll see the wonderful you eventually. She is a really good person, she just have a hard time trusting people." Aunt Leda said.

"If you say so then. Well, that explain all the stares, and studying she has been doing since she arrived. I was thinking she hated me and didnt find me worthy of being with her cousin." I said, and Aunt Leda bursted out laughing.

"No- no my dear. Evelyn is just usually like that when she's around new people, I thought Nikolai would have explained this to you before we arrived."

"He didn't really, maybe he just forgot." I didn't need her to know that Nikolai and I barely talk. I had to cover up for him, to make our act look solid.

"Maybe he did." She said, turning her eyes back to the tulips she was sticking to the ground.

"I looked around and there's another garden out in the back, hope you and Nikolai wouldn't mind us tending to it and making it look good?" She asked, was she really asking for my permission-

"Yeah, sure- sure. We don't mind at all. This is your home as it is ours. You're welcome to tend to the gardens too." I replied.

"Okay dear. Since we're almost done with this one right here, we'll head to the back and start weeding and taking out the unwanted plants." Aunt Leda said and I nodded in approval.

As we were finishing up with the ones here, I saw a shadow reflect on the ground, I carried my head up and sighted Evelyn.

Now that I know everything, she didn't really look scary again. She looked like someone who was trying to fit in and be perfect with it.

Aunt Leda noticed her, "Oh, Eve you're here. Do you need anything?" Aunt Leda asked.

"Can- can I join you guys? That's if it's not too much trouble." she asked, fucking a strand of hair behind her eyes.

She had changed into something more appropriate for gardening, and I'm sure it wouldn't be a bad idea. Aunt Leda looked to me for approval.

"Sure, why not. More hands means we'll finish faster. We're already done here, why don't we head to the back and start there. You're still up for it right?" I said.

"Sure, sure. I really don't have anything else doing with my time." she said smiling, she shared the same smile as Aunt Leda.

Comforting and welcoming.

Maybe Evelyn wasn't that bad after all.