CHAPTER 30

The night stretched on, but sleep eluded Estella. She lay in the grand bed, staring at the ornate ceiling, her mind racing with unanswered questions. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting shadows across the room. Every creak of the mansion, every silent rustle of the wind outside, every sound, made her heart skip a beat. She felt trapped, not just by the walls of her, but by the secrets Brian was keeping away from her.

Finally unable to bear the silence any longer, she threw off the covers and grabbed her crutch. She needed to move, to do something—anything—to quiet her restless mind. As she made her way to the door, she paused, her hand hovering over the handle. Brian had told her to rest, but she couldn’t. Not when so much was at stake.

She opened the door quietly and stepped into the hallway. The mansion was eerily silent, the only sound the soft ticking of a grandfather clock somewhere in the distance. Estella moved cautiously, her crutch tapping softly against the polished floor. She didn’t know where she was going, but she needed to clear her head.

As she turned a corner, she heard voices—low and urgent. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. The voices were coming from a room down the hall, the door slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of her, and she crept closer, her heart pounding.

“...can’t keep this from her forever,” a voice said. It was deep and familiar—it was Brian’s.

“I know,” another voice replied, softer and more hesitant. Estella recognized it immediately. It was Vivian.

Estella’s stomach churned. What were they doing together at this hour? And what were they hiding from her?

“She’s stronger than you think,” Vivian continued. “If you just told her the truth—”

“I can’t,” Brian interrupted, his voice sharp. “Not yet. Not until I’m sure she’s ready.”

“And what if she’s never ready?” Vivian shot back. “What if keeping her in the dark only makes things worse?”

There was a long pause, and Estella held her breath, waiting for Brian’s response. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion. “I can’t lose her, Vivian. Not again.”

Estella’s heart skipped a beat. Not again? What did he mean by that?

Before she could process his words, the floor creaked beneath her weight. She froze, her blood running cold. The voices in the room fell silent.

“Who’s there?” Brian called, his tone sharp and commanding.

Estella’s mind raced. She could try to run, but with her injured ankle, she wouldn’t get far. Instead, she took a deep breath and stepped into the doorway, her chin held high.

“It’s me,” she said, her voice steady despite the rushing turmoil inside her.

Brian and Vivian turned to face her, their expressions a mix of surprise and guilt. Vivian quickly composed herself, her usual mask of calm slipping back into place. But Brian’s face was unreadable, his eyes dark and intense.

“Ella,” he said, his voice softer now. “What are you doing up?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” she replied, her gaze flickering between him and Vivian. “What are you two talking about that you can’t tell me?”

Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Ella, it’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?” she demanded, her frustration boiling over. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re keeping secrets with her while telling me to trust you.”

Vivian stepped forward, her expression softening. “Estella, it’s not like that. We’re just trying to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?” Estella shot back, her voice rising. “From the truth? From whatever it is you’re both hiding?”

Brian stepped between them, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Ella, please. This isn’t the time or the place.”

“Then when is the time, Brian?” she asked, her voice breaking. “When will you finally trust me enough to tell me the truth?”

Brian’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like he might finally give in. But then he shook his head, his expression resolute. “Soon, Ella. I promise. But not tonight.”

Estella’s heart sank. She had hoped—prayed—that this would be the moment he finally opened up to her. But once again, he had shut her out.

“Fine,” she said, her voice cold. “But don’t expect me to just sit back and wait forever. I deserve to know the truth, Brian. And if you won’t tell me, I’ll find out on my own.”

With that, she turned and walked away, her crutch tapping loudly against the floor. She didn’t look back, didn’t wait for a response. She couldn’t. If she did, she might break.

As she made her way back to her room, her mind raced. What were Brian and Vivian hiding? And why were they so determined to keep it from her? She didn’t have the answers, but she was determined to find them.

When she reached her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. She felt more alone than ever, trapped.

But as she looked out at the moonlit gardens, a spark of determination ignited within her. She wouldn’t wait for Brian to tell her the truth. She would find it herself, no matter what it took.