&nbs
p; “Great.” I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “Can’t wait.”
“I will see you tonight at dinner, daughter,” my father continues. “It’s served at seven p.m. sharp. Do not be late.”
His words don’t leave any room for arguments, and I nod wordlessly as he takes a step closer to me. He regards me yet again, his eyes scrutinizing my appearance. Despite the graying hair at his temple and the hint of silver in his beard, my father is a very good-looking man.
“I was hoping to speak to Tatianna and Brazen before I start school next week.” I fidget with the hem of my dress.
“They will be at dinner. And daughter… I sent you to that boarding school to learn some manners.” He glares at me. “Please don’t tell me I wasted my money.”
“Of course not,” I smile icily.
I know exactly how he wants me to behave but refuse to give him the pleasure of doing as he says.
“I want you to know,” he goes on calmly. “There are consequences for girls who don’t follow the rules. Bad, bad consequences.”
He approaches me, reaching out and touching the skin on my face. He strokes my jaw and I swallow thickly, unsure of what his next move will be. He grips me tight then, as if testing me for resistance. And then his arm just drops down, as if nothing has happened at all.
“I’d much rather you never found out what they are. Goodbye for now, daughter.”
I stare at the floor as he leaves me standing there to fend for myself.
The hired help disperses muttering to themselves, leaving only the beautiful Belle in its wake. She takes a step toward me, offering me a tight smile.
“Miss Oakes, I’ll show you to your room.”
“What about my stuff?” I ask, following her up the staircase to the even grander first floor. “I wanted to unpack. Are they going to put my suitcase in my room?”
“Mr. Oakes has informed us your luggage is to be tossed away,” Belle retorts coolly. “You are starting afresh at Oakes Estate.”
“What the hell do you mean?”
She gives me a surprised glance and looks like she’s about to answer, but no words leave her lips. I’m seething with anger. How dare they do this to me?
The only suitcase I had was filled with mementos from my old home. The only memories I had left of my sister and my other family. To think of it all gone makes me ache inside.
I want to fight this decision desperately, but I’m guessing there’s nothing Belle can do about it. I make a mental note to ask about my belongings at dinner.
But there are still five hours to go until the meal, and I have no idea how I’m going to fill that time. Nobody here seems particularly interested in me.
The maid leads me down the gallery with portraits on the walls on either side. Everything I touch or look at seems ridiculously expensive. I’m afraid to even think how much the upkeep is on a place like this. But like my friends told me when we found out about my real family… it doesn’t look like money is a problem for them.
Belle opens a polished oak door, leading me inside an elegant room that opens into an en-suite bathroom, a lounge room, and a walk-in closet.
“I trust you will find everything you need here. Should you need assistance, the staff is available to your request. There is a wall tablet you can use to call one of us up. In the following days you will be assigned a personal maid to take care of your needs.”
“Thank you,” I say grumpily as she opens the billowy white silk curtains framing the bay window.
The view out there is incredible. Oakes Estate sits atop a rocky hill, and I can see where the stone drops into the sea.
“You must be looking forward to living in such an incredible place,” Belle says, making it sound more like an order than a heartfelt statement.
“Oh yeah, big time. Can’t fucking wait.”
The sarcastic words feel thick and heavy on my tongue, but Belle pays them no mind.
She waits for further instructions and I hesitate before saying, “Do I have access to a computer, or maybe a phone?”