* SLADE’S POINT OF VIEW * I arrived at the mansion, stepped out of the car, and headed inside, where I found one of the maids. “Where is Beatrice?” I asked. “She went out, and she hasn't returned yet,” she replied. That’s a fucking lie, her car is outside. “Sir… she’s out in the garden,” another maid said, popping her head out so I could see her. I went out and strolled back to the garden. It had been a while since I visited that place—one of my favorites as a child—where I could be myself. I remembered hiding in the bushes, dreaming of escaping this place, and the time I spent here with Miranda felt like a distant, happier life. Before I even walked in, I saw the trees I used to climb, their branches thick and sturdy, reaching toward the sky like old friends welcoming me back. I walked in under the stone archway, completely overgrown with creeping vines and white roses, making the entrance look like something out of a fairytale. I saw her sitting on the bench, thro
Last Updated : 2026-02-14 Read more