Chapter 25: A night of laughter

The house glowed softly under the warm light fixtures as dusk spread across the estate. It was far larger than anything I’d ever imagined living in, a place that felt both safe and overwhelming. The guards at the main gate waved every time we passed, their presence a constant reminder that Sean wanted me protected. Still, something about the silence of this new environment unsettled me, though I wouldn’t admit it out loud.

I spent most of the day indoors, barely stepping out of the living room. The idea of running into Michael again haunted me enough to keep the doors locked and the curtains half drawn. Even so, the house was beautiful, soft cream walls, tall windows overlooking a lush garden, chandeliers that glistened like captured sunlight. I should have felt peace here.

I was still sitting by the kitchen island when my phone rang. The screen showed Anna ( when did she get out of the mental institution?) . My stomach tightened, but I answered.

“Rose,” she said, her voice calm.

I blinked, half-expecting her usual bitterness. “Anna? What do you want?”

“To talk,” she said gently. “I’ve… been thinking a lot about everything. I wasn’t fair to you.”

Her tone caught me off guard. “You’re calling to apologize?”

“Yes. I’ve made mistakes.” There was a pause. “You’re my sister afterall.”

That word sister froze me. She had never called me that before.

“Why now?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t expect you to trust me,” she continued, “but I’d like to meet. Maybe tomorrow? We could talk like normal people, without shouting.”

I stared at the floor, listening to the faint hum of the refrigerator. “I’m not in the mood for your madness, Anna. I’m… dealing with things.”

“I understand,” she said softly. “Take your time. I’ll wait.”When the call ended, I sat for a while, staring at nothing. There was something different in her voice, almost remorseful but I couldn’t dwell on it. My thoughts had been a mess lately.

Moments later, the front door opened. I turned, startled, then relaxed when I saw Sean walk in, followed by Amanda and Charles.

“Surprise!” Amanda shouted with her usual energy. She was carrying a basket filled with snacks and wine. “We thought you could use some cheering up!”

Sean smiled, closing the door behind them. “I told them you’ve been cooped up too long.”

I couldn’t help but grin a little. “You three are unbelievable.”

Charles lifted the basket. “We brought provisions. And maybe we’ll dance a little.”

Amanda clapped her hands. “Oh, we’re definitely dancing!”

Sean laughed and turned on the music system. The house filled with soft jazz that soon switched into an upbeat rhythm. Amanda pulled me from the stool and twirled me in the middle of the living room.

“Come on, Rose,” she said, laughing. “You can’t frown in a house like this!”

Her energy was infectious. Before I knew it, Sean joined in, doing a ridiculous spin that made Charles groan.

“What are you even doing?” Charles teased.

Sean smirked. “This is called improvisation. You wouldn’t understand.”

I burst out laughing. Sean grabbed my hand, pulling me close as he started dancing, badly, deliberately, making faces until I doubled over from laughter.

“You’re going to embarrass yourself,” I said, half breathless.

“Then at least I’ll look good doing it,” he shot back, twirling me until I nearly lost balance.

Amanda whistled. “Look at you two! I’m jealous now.”

For the first time in days, I felt light again. The heavy air that had followed me since the move began to lift. We danced until the song ended, and Amanda sank onto the couch, panting.

“Okay, I’m done,” she said between breaths. “I need wine.”

Charles handed her a glass. “You and me both.”

Sean poured one for me too, his fingers brushing mine. “Feeling better?”

I smiled up at him. “Much better.”

“Good,” he said quietly. “That’s all I wanted.”

Dinner followed soon after. Sean grilled steak in the open kitchen while Amanda prepared a salad, humming off-key. The air smelled like home-cooked warmth. Conversation flowed easily.

“So, how’s the restaurant?” Charles asked between bites.

“It’s doing well,” I replied. “We’re finalizing some details. Sean wants me to focus on it before I start anything new.”

Charles nodded approvingly. “Smart man.”

Sean chuckled. “I’m just making sure she doesn’t take on too much. She works harder than anyone I know.”

Amanda nudged me playfully. “A hardworking woman with a man who adores her... lucky you.”

I laughed lightly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “Don’t tease me.”

When dinner ended, Amanda and Charles began gathering their things. “We should go before it gets late,” Charles said.

Sean walked them to the door. Amanda hugged me tightly before leaving. “You look happy, Rose. Really happy. Don’t let anyone ruin that, okay?”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

As they drove off, I leaned against the doorframe and watched Sean from behind. He waved them off, his figure outlined by the faint glow of the porch lights. He turned back, smiling at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said, pulling me close. “Just you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He kissed my forehead. “We’ll be fine. Just… be careful. I’ll be careful too. I can’t lose you.”

Something in his voice sounded heavier than usual, but before I could ask, he changed the subject. “You should get some rest.”

We cleaned up together, and after he went upstairs to work on his laptop, I lingered in the living room. The house had grown quiet again, the kind of silence that makes you aware of your own breathing.

Outside, the estate was still. The guards’ flashlights flickered in the distance near the gate. I turned off the lights, leaving only the soft glow of a lamp by the window.I pulled the curtains halfway, looking out at the faintly lit street. The moon hung low, pale against the dark sky.

That’s when I saw it, a subtle movement, like a shape standing near the trees opposite the house. It was too far to make out clearly, but the outline… it felt familiar. A figure, tall, still, just watching.

My chest tightened, but I told myself it was nothing. A shadow, a trick of the light, maybe even a guard.

Still, I stood there for another moment, squinting. The figure didn’t move. It just remained motionless.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to look away. “It’s nothing,” I whispered under my breath. “Just the dark playing tricks.”

I drew the curtains shut and turned back toward the staircase. Upstairs, I could hear the faint tapping of Sean’s keyboard, steady and rhythmic.

“Everything okay?” he called down.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Just closing up.”

“Good,” he said softly. “Come up soon.”

I smiled faintly, trying to shake off the unease. As I switched off the lamp, the room sank into darkness. For a heartbeat, I thought I saw something shift in the reflection of the glass, like someone stepping back into the shadows, but when I looked again, there was nothing.Just my own reflection staring back.

I brushed it off, climbed the stairs, and slipped into bed beside Sean. He reached for my hand in his sleep, his warmth grounding me.