Rose hasn't slept for a long time. When she heard someone knock, thinking it was her uncle's wife , she woke up to check the door.
"Miss rose", the maid's soft voice called.
"The breakfast is served.madam said you must come down now"
Rose sat up confused and sad
Why will the have to wake her up when she was about to sleep,
The clock on the wall is seven thirty. Her limb felt heavy, her eyes watery. She dressed up quickly in the only clean dress she had, slightly wrinkled from the suitcase and brushed her hair until it shone.
Her leg felt heavy when she got to the hallway, it felt endless,the wall where painted black as she walked could hear faint laughter somewhere below.
At the dining room, the table was long , Uncle Albert sat at the head reading a news paper, his wife Beatrice was sitting by his right pouring herself a coffee, Her expression pinched, Daniel and Samantha sat beside each other whispering
Every conversation stopped when Rose entered
Beatrice lips thinned, "you are late"
"I…I thought breakfast was at eight rose stammered"
"Eight is for the lazy" Beatrice replied "Sit down"
Rose obeyed, having nothing to do but to lower her head she went to sit at the far end of the table, the food was rich and appetizing but she had no appetite.
"Is that what you wearing" Samantha said her eyes flickering over rose clothes
"You could have wear something else at least, or you want to tell the whole world that your parents died "she smirked"
Daniel chuckled "maybe she likes wrinkled looks. Makes her feel at home"
Albert there there father look up from the newspaper he was reading
"Enough let the girl be"
Samantha raised her eyebrows innocently "Just making a conversation, dad"
In steeped eyes Rose forced herself to eat ignoring what the siblings were saying, Beatrice spoke only with her husband, discussing finances and social events.
When the maid refilled her glass of juice, Rose whispered a quiet "thank you." The woman gave her a small, sympathetic smile before hurrying off.
"Rose you will start school next week, you will be going together with your cousin's, is one of the best schools"
"Dad you shouldn't have enrolled her to the same school we going, she will embarrass us there and I can't take it, what will my friends say" Samantha said angrily
"Sam," Beatrice warned, but her tone carried no real scolding more amusement.
Albert cleared his throat. "That's enough, all of you. Rose will adjust." He turned to Rose. "You may go now. The maid will show you around the estate."
Rose nodded and slipped out, her chest tight.
The maid from before her name was Clara waited near the staircase. "Come, dear. I'll show you the gardens."
Rose followed her through glass doors onto a stone terrace. The morning air smelled of damp grass and roses. The mansion's grounds stretched endlessly: fountains, trimmed hedges, and a lake that caught the pale light like silver glass.
"Your uncle keeps this place spotless," Clara said quietly. "He's a strict man, but he means well."
Rose wasn't sure she believed that. "And his wife?"
Clara hesitated. "Mrs. Beatrice… She's a complicated woman. Best stay out of her way."
They walked along the gravel path. From a distance, Rose could see Daniel tossing a ball to the family's black dog while Samantha scrolled through her phone. The siblings laughed about something, glancing her way.
"Do they always stare like that?" Rose asked under her breath.
Clara sighed. "Ignore them, sweetheart. They've had everything handed to them. They don't understand loss."
Rose nodded, though her throat felt tight again. The word loss was too sharp.
They reached the back garden, where an enormous oak tree spread its branches over a stone bench. Clara smiled faintly. "This used to be your father's favorite spot when he was young. He and Mr. Albert played here as boys."
Rose's eyes widened. "My father?"
"Oh yes," Clara said wistfully. "He was kind, always thinking of others. Everyone loved him." Her expression clouded. "After he passed… well, things changed."
Rose frowned. "Changed how?"
Clara pressed her lips together, glancing toward the house. "Best not to talk about it out here. Too many ears."
Before Rose could ask more, Samantha's voice sliced through the quiet. "There you are!"
Rose turned as Samantha and Daniel approached, the black dog padding beside them.
"Mom said you should come inside," Samantha said. "She wants you to help in the library."
Rose nodded, unsure. "All right."
Daniel smirked. "That's the room with all the old books. Try not to break anything."
They led her through a back hallway lined with portraits. When they entered the library, the air smelled of leather and dust. Shelves climbed to the ceiling, ladders resting against them.
Beatrice stood by the window, flipping through papers. "Ah, Rose," she said smoothly. "We'll see if you can make yourself useful."
Rose's fingers twisted together. "What should I do?"
Beatrice pointed to a pile of dusty books. "Clean those shelves. And don't touch anything on the desk. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Beatrice left the room, her perfume lingering like smoke.
Samantha and Daniel lingered behind. "You know," Daniel said casually, "Mom doesn't usually let anyone in here. Guess she's testing you."
"Or waiting for you to mess up," Samantha added.
They both laughed and left her alone.
Rose exhaled shakily. She pulled a cloth from the drawer and began wiping the shelves. Dust swirled in the air like tiny ghosts. Her mind drifted to her parents the sound of her mother's laughter, her father's warm hand on her shoulder.
As she reached for another book, her sleeve brushed against a small metal frame wedged between two volumes. Curious, she pulled it out. Inside was an old photo of her father and Uncle Albert as young men, standing in front of a building with the sign Carter & Hayes Enterprises.
Her heart skipped. That was her father's company, the same one she'd seen in newspapers beside Uncle Albert's name.
She traced her father's face with her fingertip. He helped build that place, she thought. And now it's all gone.
A voice behind her made her jump. "What are you doing?"
She spun around. Beatrice stood in the doorway, eyes sharp.
"I…I was just dusting," Rose stammered, quickly setting the photo down.
Beatrice crossed the room, her heels tapping the floor. "You touched the desk."
"No! I didn't mean to…"
"Enough." Beatrice snatched the photo from her hand. "This is not your home, Rose. Remember that. Everything in this house belongs to the Albert family. You are here because of pity. Don't forget it."
The words hit like stones. Rose lowered her gaze. "Yes, ma'am."
Beatrice leaned close, her perfume suffocating. "You may have your father's name, but don't mistake it for power. People like you always learn that the hard way."
Rose's throat burned. She swallowed hard and nodded.
"Good." Beatrice straightened, smoothing her skirt. " And next time, ask before you touch what isn't yours."
She swept out of the room, the door slamming behind her.
Rose stood there frozen that confused, she had nothing else to do , sho went back to cleaning the room before she went back to her room she covered herself with the cloth there, she wept " Dad , Mom why will you leave me in this cruel world"