The guest room that Mrs Donovan had insisted I use felt too grand for me. The walls were draped in soft cream, the bed neatly made with thick quilts that smelled faintly of lavender.
Yet, as I set my bag on the dresser, unease feeling coiled in my chest.
It wasn't my home.
The Donovan house had always welcomed me in the past, but staying here now, without Sophia constantly at my side, felt very different.
I was no longer just the childhood friend sneaking giggles during sleepovers. Every glance from the staff, every measured silence in the hallways reminded me that this house operated under its own rhythm, and I was just a guest trying not to disturb or mess with it.
The next morning, I stepped out into the corridor and nearly bumped into one of the maids carrying a tray of tea. She stopped, startled at my sudden exit, and then she offered me a polite smile. "Miss Everett, breakfast will be served in the sunroom today. Mr. Donovan had asked me to notify you."
"Thank you, I'll be going there shortly," I thanked the maid.
At the table, Charlie greeted me with a nod while reading the paper, suddenly becoming serious and calm, while Jamie was already halfway through his toast, crumbs on his shirt, grinning when he saw me.
"Morning, Ellie. Don't look so stiff," Charlie teased. "It' not like you never have breakfast with us, you survived sleepovers here before, breakfast shouldn't scare you much."
I laughed lightly, though my nerves remained. "It felt different without Sophia dragging me along.
Edward set his paper down and his gaze steady on me. "Different doesn't mean bad, Ellie. Even without Sophia around, you will find your footing here very soon. Always remember, this is your second home even when Sophia wasn't around."
"Thank you, Mr Donovan. I think I'm just missing Sophia. She would always stand next to me whenever I'm here. Bit difficult to adjust what has been a norm," I replied with a weak smile.
Edward Donovan nodded at me, then I saw Marie Donovan reaching me with the breakfast plate and said, "Not just you, Ellie, I miss her too. She will be coming back soon, don't worry. Just stay here with peace of mind. She will be surprised to see you here again after your last sleepover," she continued.
I give them my generous smile, as if nothing is bothering me at this moment.
Later, when I passed by the study, I caught a sight of Tristan through the half-open door.
He was standing by the window with his back straight and his phone pressed to his ear.
His voice was firm, clipped, and all business.
I should've just kept walking, but instead, I lingered at the door for a heartbeat too long, feeling the chill of authority surrounding him. This wasn't the Tristan I remembered from that fleeting childhood glimpses. This was a man shaped by burdens, the same man who saved me from the danger, one whom I couldn't yet understand.
His gaze shifted suddenly, catching me in the hallway. Our eyes met for a while. His eyes were sharp and unyielding. I flushed and murmured a quick apology before hurried away, with my heart pounding.
I told myself I could manage this, and I had to. But deep down, I wondered if I was slowly stepping into something far more complicated than Sophia's sleepovers ever were.