Chapter 17

The room was silent. Kendall was frozen with a chocolate-dipped fig in her hand as she stared at Lucien. Even Sabrina was staring at her, waiting.

“Uhm…”

He tilted his head, waiting. “Is it a secret?”

Slowly, she nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry. If I say, I’ll have to switch schools and find a new place to live again.”

Now that was interesting. Lucien studied the girl closely, nodding. “I see. That’s not unusual around here, I guess.”

“Kendall’s from a crazy rich family,” Sabrina offered, sipping on crisp water. “Like richer than most kids at our school, so some people think she’s a princess.”

At those words, Kendall simply lowered her gaze, but Lucien nodded.

It would check out if she were royalty. Maybe that was why she was so goddamn polite. She’d said ‘please’ to Helena. Lucien hadn’t missed that. He was both worried about her identity and grateful Sabrina had such a polite girl around, instead of all those entitled brats she brought home, who were too similar to her to actually have any good influence on her.

But this girl was different.

He sighed, silently tapping a finger against his book as he stared at her. She was different, and that was why he suddenly felt sorry for her.

How had she gotten herself stuck in the web of his spider-like daughter? Lucien hadn’t missed the odd dynamic between the two girls. They weren’t exactly showing friendship, it was more like…

“No, eat this one,” Sabrina said.

Lowering the persimmon she’d been about to eat, Kendall picked up the melon Sabrina had pointed at.

“It cleanses your dreams,” Sabrina added.

Lucien looked from one girl to the other. Less like friends and more like a puppet and its puppeteer.

That wasn’t the first nor the last time Lucien noted the dynamic between the two girls. Over the days that Kendall was in his house, he became used to her presence and realized more and more what a good personality she had.

He also saw the stark contrast it had to his own daughter’s personality and, even more, how that contrast appeared in the girls’ friendship.

Kendall wanting to wear one thing, and Sabrina manipulating her into wearing something completely different. Kendall not saying anything, but Sabrina telling someone that Kendall had made a demand and needed to be served. Sabrina constantly using her to make people do what she wanted them to do, Sabrina never letting Kendall make any choices for herself.

Being in the same room as them or walking by and overhearing them, the words Lucien had heard Kendall say the most were, ‘Fine, your choice.’.

She never sounded frustrated with Sabrina either, it was always a quiet resignation, a patient conceding.

The girls never bickered because Kendall was always willing to calmly yield and go with what Sabrina wanted.

Standing in the dimly lit kitchen one night, Lucien found himself thinking about it again as he poured himself a glass of wine. Despite being her father, even he couldn’t tell whether Sabrina genuinely liked this girl or whether she just kept her around for her own benefit.

The house around him was silent, the night still and peaceful. Suddenly, the sound of feet on the polished kitchen marble tiles broke the silence. The steps suddenly halted, and he knew she’d frozen.

Calmly turning around, he looked at the girl stuck in place and wide-eyed like she’d seen a ghost.

Pulling his robe closed to cover his bare abdomen, he tied the strings. “Good evening, Kendall.”

She straightened, holding her hands politely against her satin robe. “Good evening, Mr Sinclair.”

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Oh…” She could barely look at him. “I’m sorry.”

Lucien blinked. “W… what for? I was just asking.”

She glanced cautiously at him. “Sabrina and I are watching a movie, and we ran out of water. She wanted to call Ms. Helena, so I offered to come get it instead.”

He stared at her for a moment. “I see.”

Choosing to carry out a task to prevent waking up the housekeeper. What a good kid.

Silently, he went over to the fridge and pulled the doors open. He pulled out two water bottles and held them out to her.

She hurried over and took them with a hesitant smile. “Th-thank you.”

Lucien tilted his head. Why did she always look so scared? Like she was in trouble. “You’re welcome, Kendall.”

“Goodnight, Mr Sinclair,” she said quietly, turning around to leave.

“Kendall.”

She froze. Closing her eyes, Kendall inwardly prayed he would let her leave. She didn’t know what it was, but she struggled to stay in character around Mr Sinclair.

Putting on a calm expression, she turned around. “Yes, Sir?”

Studying the girl’s face, Lucien sighed and closed the fridge before turning to face her. “I just have a question, if you don’t mind.”

She stared at him, her wide green eyes struggling to hide the panic inside. This was it. He’d recognized her. She was finished.

Gulping hard to moisten her parched throat, she forced herself to nod. “Okay. Sure…”

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the kitchen island and stared deeply into her eyes. “Could you tell me… why exactly you let her treat you that way?”

Kendall stared up at him. It took a moment for the question to land because all her brain had been preparing was believable lies to deny having ever been in Miami. His actual question threw her off.

“I… I’m sorry? I don’t understand.”

“Sabrina. I know you two are friends, but it doesn’t seem like she treats you as a friend should. Why do you allow her?”

More subtle shock followed when she finally understood his words, and Kendall lowered her gaze. She’d been right to fear this man. He wasn’t to be taken lightly. Not only was his memory the only thing standing between her and total destruction, but he also seemed to be the most perceptive person she’d ever met.

Everyone saw nothing more than two friends, and many even envied them for being friends with each other. But Mr Sinclair had seen through it all. Kendall felt so seen.

And it was scary.

So, she forced a smile and looked at him. “She’s not trying to be mean to me, she’s just got a strong personality.”

“And you’re weak?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so. You’re pretty strong yourself. You’d have to be to keep as many secrets as you’re keeping. Right?”

Her smile fell, her eyes widening. “…I… what?”