MANSION

VERA'S P.O.V

The truck door closed, and the slam ripped me out of sleep. I blinked awake into darkness.

The sky was ink‑black, the sort that swallowed everything. It was late, almost eleven o'clock in the evening.

Hunter's silhouette moved past the window, heading to wake me.

"Sorry I woke you, we're here."

I sat up slightly, disoriented, staring out at the place I still called home.

The mansion stood tall and intimidating, glowing under warm outdoor lights. The last time I was here, everything looked and felt different, Hunter and I came to have dinner with my parents. This time, he was letting me go.

My gaze caught the neatly trimmed edges forming the letters VH, my family's initials: Vincent Haven, Vivian Haven, and me... Vera Haven. The new design was definitely my mother's touch. She loved anything dramatic and overly sentimental. Even bushes.

Hunter moved to the back of the truck, unloading the few things I brought with me. He came to get the door, and I stepped out, holding his hand to steady myself.

I stood before the house, frozen and terrified.

"Am I making a mistake?" I thought wildly.

I had never lived alone before. Sure, Nana, the housekeeper and her grand-daughter were going to be with me, but my parents were still out of the country.

Hunter walked over with the last suitcase and stood beside me. He thought I wanted this, like this was what I truly needed. He thought letting me go was the right thing. He couldn't even fight for me, or for us. Was our relationship worth fighting for?

The front door opened, two figures appear, Nana and her grand-daughter Amanda.

"Vera!" Nana cried, rushing towards me.

She wrapped me in a tight hug, smelling like cinnamon and laundry soap. "My darling girl!"

I clung to her, smiled at Amanda, who stood by the door grinning shyly.

"I heard a vehicle drive in, I knew it must be you," Nana said, pulling back to examine me, then her eyes narrowed.

"Why are you wearing this ugly turtleneck in this heat? You'll suffocate."

My pulse spiked. If she noticed or asked too many questions, if she found out what Hunter did to me, she would tell Mummy, who would tell Daddy... Daddy would kill Hunter— without hesitation.

I felt Hunter tense behind me.

"It was cold at our place," I lied, keeping my voice level.

Why did I still feel the need to protect him?

Nana seemed satisfied with my reply. She turned to Hunter with familiar warmth, arms stretched out to hug and greet him, before kissing him on the cheek.

"I've cooked a delicious dinner for both of you, go freshen up," she beamed.

The door man came out and Amanda showed him my suitcases to take inside.

"Well? Come along!" Nana insisted.

I cleared my throat. "Hunter has something early tomorrow—"

"Nonsense," she interrupted, waving the excuse away. "I'll see you both inside."

And just like that she was gone, leaving before either of us could say another word.

Hunter and I returned to the truck. We sat in silence for a while, still and not talking—for me, not knowing what to say.

"Are you okay?" he finally asked quietly.

"I don't know. Do you...do you want me to stay here?"

He looks confused, almost stunned.

"God, it's not about what I want, it's what I did, Vera," Hunter said.

"I don't want to feel like I'm punishing you," I said back.

What if this was the end? What if this was when we finally break apart and let all the toxicity bleed out?

"Baby," he said slowly, "I hurt you. Remember why you made this choice."

"I know why," I whispered. "I just... what if I'm wrong? What if this isn't a good idea? I must have been crazy when I said that."

"You're not crazy," he reassured softly. "Maybe this will be good for us."

He reached over and squeezed my hand, trying to put me at ease, but fear coiled inside me. What if "good for us" really meant "ending us"? Why was he so willing to let me go? Why wasn't he fighting this at all?

"Okay," I whispered.

This was really happening.

We got out of the truck again and he met me halfway.

"You don't have to come inside," I told him. "I'll explain to Nana."

"Okay. Thank you."

He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. His arms locked around me, warm and familiar, and I held him.

"I really am sorry, Baby," he murmured into my hair.

A tear slipped down my cheek, then another. It was just a break,p not a breakup— right?

Hunter pulled away gently, placing his hands on my shoulders. He forced a small smile.

"I love you, Vera."

My throat closed, the words got stuck, trembling on my tongue. I couldn't say them, but he knows I love him—le had to know.

He let go of my shoulders, and I turned to leave.

"Baby," he called suddenly.

I spun around, my eyes hopeful. Maybe he changed his mind, maybe he wanted me to stay with him, maybe—

"I love you," he said again, so softly it broke something inside me.

God, I love him, so much. I stared down at my shoes, trying not to show that I was already sobbing.

"I love you too," I managed to whisper.

He waited for a moment before returning to his truck, turning back to see me occasionally. I knew he saw me crying, but it was better if he left rather than console me lest I change my mind.

I turned around to leave, and unlike Hunter, I didn't look back as I walked to the door.

I heard the engine start, and his truck rolled away. The gates closed behind him with a heavy clang that sounded like a chapter ending.

The front door opened, Amanda stood there, eyes widening when she saw the tears streaming down my face.

"Come," she whispered. "I'll take you to your room.

I nodded and followed her inside when my phone buzzed. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and pulled it out from my pocket.

It was a message from Hunter.

"How long is this going to last?"

I stared at his text reading it over and over, again, and again, and again.

I didn't know the answer. I didn't know anything anymore, and for the first time tonight... I felt truly, painfully alone.