"You should freshen up," the older woman said kindly once we reached my room. "You must be exhausted."
Her voice was gentle.
"I'm Mrs. Hale," she smiled softly. "I've been with this household a very long time. If you need anything at all…anything, please come to me."
I nodded.
Her eyes softened even more.
"Mr Cole let us know about your condition before you arrived," she continued gently. "We understand that speaking may be difficult right now. There's no pressure here."
Something in my chest loosened.
"You can communicate however you're comfortable," she said.
I nodded again, blinking back the sudden sting in my eyes.
"There are only a few simple rules," Mrs Hale went on. "Meals are downstairs unless otherwise stated. The west wing is private. And for now…" she smiled gently, "…just rest."
She turned to leave, then paused like she'd remembered something important.
"You'll want to be settled before the young masters return from school."
I blinked.
Young masters?
My confusion must've shown, because she chuckled softly.
"Yes," she said. "Mr. Cole's sons."
He has sons?
My eyes widened before I could stop myself.
"Three of them."
Three?!!
The number echoed in my head.
Before I could ask anything else, she turned toward the door, and paused.
"They're… energetic," she said lightly. "This house can get chaotic when they're around. Best thing you can do is not let them get to you."
Get to me how?
Mrs Hale chuckled softly, already opening the door.
"You'll understand soon enough."
And with that, she left.
The door clicked shut behind her.
I shook my head, trying not to overthink it.
The room was huge.
The bed alone looked like it could swallow me whole….pink sheets, plush pillows, Sunlight spilled through tall windows, warming the floor.
I dropped my bag and jumped onto the bed.
It bounced.
I bounced again.
A squeal escaped me before I could catch it, and I covered my mouth, smiling into my hands like a little kid.
I hadn't done that in… forever.
I slid off the bed and picked up dad's vase carefully, cradling it against my chest. I placed it gently on a small table near the window.
Then I took out the framed picture of Dad and Ethan Mom had packed.
I set it beside the vase, adjusting it until it faced the bed.
Something settled in my chest.
What if I don't belong here?
I stepped back and looked around..
Dad.
The word stayed in my head.
We made it to the city.
My throat tightened.
I pressed my forehead lightly against the table, closing my eyes.
I don't know what I'm doing. I told him silently. But I'm trying. I promise.
My fingers curled tighter around the edge of the table.
Please, watch over us.
An hour later….
Mom knocked softly on my door.
"Eve?" she called gently. "Mr Cole wants to see you. Just for a moment."
I took a breath, smoothed my shirt, and nodded even though she couldn't see me.
When I stepped into the main room, the space felt bigger than before.
Mr Cole was seated on one of the couches, staring at his phone. He looked up when he saw me and smiled softly.
"There you are," he said warmly. "I hope I didn't interrupt you settling in."
I shook my head slightly.
"Do you like your room?" he asked. "If anything feels off, or uncomfortable, we can change it. Furniture, colors, placement. Whatever you need. I didn't ask if you like pink."
I smiled softly and nodded again.
Mom stepped forward immediately. "She loves it," she said quickly. "It's beautiful. Truly… thank you for everything."
He waved it off. "It's nothing, Marianne. Honestly."
"This house has needed a female touch for a long time. I always wanted a daughter anyway."
Mom laughed softly. "Well… here we are."
He glanced down the hall. "I'd like you to meet my boys. I told them about you already."
My stomach dropped.
"Alex," he called.
A boy sat cross legged on the floor, completely absorbed in a game on his iPad.
"What," Alex said without looking up.
"Pause it and come here."
Alex groaned loudly. "Dad, I'm literally mid game."
"Alex," he called again. "My youngest."
He sighed dramatically, finally lifted his head.
His eyes locked onto us.
My chest tightened.
He looked about Ethan's age.
Mom smiled immediately and walked toward him, crouching a little so she was closer to his height.
"Well, aren't you just adorable," she said gently, ruffling his hair. "I'm Marianne."
He stiffened under her touch and leaned back slightly.
She gestured to me. "And this is my daughter, Evelyn."
Alex's eyes flicked to me.
Then back to his dad.
"Why are they here?" he asked flatly.
The room went still.
Mom's smile faltered, just a little.
Mr. Cole cleared his throat. "Alex…"
"Are they staying forever?" he continued, louder now. "Or is this like when Aunt Rose came and said it was temporary and then stayed for months?"
Mom straightened slowly.
I froze.
My fingers curled into the fabric of my sleeve without me realizing it.
"Alex," Mr. Cole warned. "That's enough."
Alex frowned. "What? I was just asking."
"You don't ask questions like that," his father snapped.
Mom let out a shaky breath.
I couldn't stop thinking about Ethan.
He would've paused his game without being asked, and said hello without being told. He would never talk to people older than him in that tone. I miss him so much.
Mr. Cole pointed down the hallway. "Drop that iPad, and go to your room now!"
"What? But I didn't even…"
"Alex," his dad said sharply. "Go upstairs and call your brothers. Tell them to come downstairs. Now."
The boy groaned, pushing himself up off the floor.
As he passed us, he hissed, "This house is gonna be so annoying now."
Mom wiped at her face, turning slightly away like she didn't want me to see.
The sound of his door slamming echoed down the hall.
The silence that followed was worse.
I felt Ethan's absence louder than ever.
I stared at the floor, my heart was pounding so loud it felt like everyone could hear it.
"I'm sorry," Mr Cole said quickly, rubbing a hand over his face. "That was unacceptable."
Mom forced a shaky smile. "He's just a child."
If this was the youngest…
How worse could the rest be?