Chapter 34: Back to Reality
JULIA
“Miss Julia,” the voice repeated softly.
I blinked away the remnants of the strange dream that lingered in my mind.
Then, my eyes snapped toward the person, locking onto her figure. My heart skipped a beat, my eyes widening in surprise.
Staring back at me were kind eyes, with streaks of gray in her hair tied neatly in a bun, and that ever–present look of patient understanding.
“Miss…Susan?” I rasped, sitting up so quickly the room spin for a moment.
I blinked again to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, but there she was–Susan, Evan’s long–time maid.
She had been with his family for as long as I could remember, just like my own parents had served the Astors. I hadn’t seen her in years, and yet it felt like no time had passed
Susan smiled warmly. “Wow, it’s really you. It’s been such a long time.”
I smiled back, embarrassed by how disheveled I must’ve looked. I quickly brushed at my hair and sat up straighter on the edge of the bed. I was suddenly very aware of the fact that I had been asleep in Evan’s house of all places. And worse–was I moaning in my sleep? My face turned red at the thought.
Susan tilted her head, watching me with that knowing expression of hers. “How are you, Miss Julia?”
“I—I’m good,” I stammered, forcing a small smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here. You’re still with…” My voice) trailed off, but Susan understood.
“With Mr. Evander?” she finished for me, her smile softening. “Yes. I’ve been here ever since he was little. I suppose I couldn’t leave him now. It’s good to see you, though. You’ve grown into a fine young woman.”
Her words brought warmth and sadness into my chest. Susan had always been kind to me, even when the worlds. between Evan’s and I’s families started to widen.
“You haven’t been home in a long time,” Susan added carefully. “Your parents haven’t mentioned you.
I stared at my fingers, her curiosity making me squirm. “I’m studying again…in this city,” I answered with a small smile. It wasn’t entirely a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.
Susan’s face lit up. “That’s good to hear, Miss Julia. Your parents would be proud.”
I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek.
“Well,” she said after a moment, clapping her hands gently “I brought some clothes for you to change into. They should fit you well enough. Let’s get you dressed, shall we?
I nodded again, grateful to have something else to focus on Susan placed the neatly folded clothes on the edge of he bed and gave me one last smile before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind her.
The moment I was alone, I sighed heavily and let my shoulders slump. My head was still swimming with confusion–not just from the dream, but from everything that had happened since I stepped into this house.
I turned my gaze to the nightstand, and my stomach sank
There, sitting neatly on the table, was a small pile of money Right next to it was a crisp white note, written in slanted handwriting I recognized instantly
+25 BONUS
Chapter 34 Back to Realty
“Leave as soon as possible.”
1 picked up the note, my chest tightening as I reread the words.
My throat burned with embarrassment.
I shook my head sharply and tossed the note back on the table.
I grabbed the clothes Susan had left for me–a soft sweatshirt and a pair of leggings. Strangely, they fit me perfectly, like they had been chosen specifically for me.
The thought made me pause for a moment before shaking it off. I quickly changed and splashed water on my in the attached bathroom, trying to scrub away the shame of yesterday night.
face
When I finally emerged, Susan was waiting for me just outside the door. Her warm smile returned as she gestured for me to follow her. “Come now, Miss Julia. You must be hungry.”
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I hesitated. “Susan, I-”
“No arguments,” she said firmly, waving a hand. “You need to eat something before you leave.”
With little choice, I followed her down the grand hallway, my footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The house was even bigger than I’d thought. I was aware of it last night, but I was also a bit out of it.
I tried not to gawk, but it was hard not to.
Eventually, Susan led me into the kitchen–a bright space with shiny countertops and cabinets that looked untouched. The smell of something warm and familiar filled the air.
“Sit,” Susan said gently, motioning to the small table by the window. “You always did love breakfast food, so I made something for you.”
I blinked, touched by the gesture. “You didn’t have to do that…”
“Nonsense,” she said, placing a plate of food in front of me Eggs, toast, and fresh fruit–it was simple, but it smelled like home.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice quieter now. I picked up the fork and took a small bite. The familiar taste made my eyes sting unexpectedly. It had been so long since I’d had a meal like this–since someone had taken care of me, even in such a small way.
Susan watched me fondly as I ate. “A lot has happened, you know,” she said softly after a while, her tone more serious. “Mr. Evan he hasn’t been the same since the incident.”
I looked up with narrowed eyes, my fork pausing mid–air. “What do you mean?”
Susan hesitated, her brow furrowing “I thought you knew
I was even more confused now. “What happened?”
She opened her mouth to respond, but a deep, familiar voice cut through the room before she could.
“Why are you still here?”
The fork slipped from my fingers, clattering against the plate. My heart stuttered in my chest as I turned to see Evan standing in the doorway.
He looked annoyed. His dark eyes swept over me, his jaw tight, and his hands shoved into his pockets.
“I thought I told you to leave,” he said coolly, his voice fillet with irritation. “Or was the money not enough?”
Chapter 34: Back to Reality
My chest tightened painfully at his words. The food I’d just eaten turned to stone in my stomach.
He didn’t move nor flinch. He just stared at me–cold, unfeeling, like I was nothing.
Evan sighed and brought out his wallet, taking more bills from it.
“Here,” he said, throwing it out on the table. “Take this and leave.”
