Clara's POV The bus ride home was bumpy, the seats sticky with gum. I stared out the window at the passing estates, each one grander than the last, until we reached the gated community where Ashford Mansion loomed. It was a sprawling Tudor-style behemoth, with manicured lawns, a fountain in the driveway, and servants bustling like shadows. Mom had married into this world after Dad left, but it felt like a gilded cage—polished marble floors that echoed my loneliness, crystal chandeliers that cast judgmental light.As I approached the grand oak doors, my key card in hand, my heart pounded. The servants—Maria the housekeeper, James the butler, and a few maids—nodded politely as I entered, but they kept their distance, trained to be invisible. Mom’s car was gone, as expected; she’d texted earlier about her date with Richard Ashford, Nolan’s father, some fancy dinner downtown. “Don’t wait up, darling. Have fun!” As if fun was possible here.The foyer was silent, save for the tick of the g
Last Updated : 2025-10-24 Read more