Chapter 227 Chapter 227

Chapter 227 Chapter 227
Violet

My room felt like a sanctuary when I finally reached it.

I changed into pajamas, and went through the motions of washing my face and brushing my teeth. I hesitantly stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, half expecting to see glowing eyes or reaching hands.

But there was only my own reflection, pale and tired and human.

Back in my room, I noticed the moon visible through my window. It was full and bright, hanging in the dark sky like a beacon.

I moved to the window and looked up at it, letting the silvery light wash over me. There was comfort in the moon, in the white light it cast over all of us.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered, my hands pressed against the cool glass. "If you're listening, please keep me safe. I am terrified of what is going on. I…I don’t want to feel afraid. Please protect me from whatever is happening. Please guide me through this darkness." Then added “And protect him too”

The prayer felt silly, childish even. But it also felt necessary, like reaching out to something greater than myself was the only thing that made sense anymore.

I had clawed at him once during the flight to Ironcrest Manor and tonight again. I had made him bleed and yet he hadn’t said a word.

I clutched my chest, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. There was disappointment and hurt but my stupid heart still craved him.

I shook my head wondering if getting closer to Dane would help quash these feelings. Dane was nice too. He smiled, he was kind and he didn’t hurt people for fun, didn’t threaten people to do as he pleased.

I looked up at the moon but it offered no response, no solution to the turmoil in my heart and mind.

I climbed into bed, pulled the covers up to my chin, and closed my eyes.

Please, I thought. Please let me sleep without nightmares. Please let me wake up and have all of this make sense.

Sleep came eventually, pulling me down into darkness. 

The next morning I woke to sunlight streaming through my windows and my phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand. I grabbed it groggily, squinting at the screen.

11:00 AM.

I'd overslept again. I was supposed to be at work two hours ago.

Panic flooded through me as I scrambled out of bed, already running through apologies and excuses in my head. This was the second time in a week I'd failed to show up on time. 

Elijah might be understanding once, but twice suggested a pattern of unreliability.

I pulled up his contact information, my finger hovering over the call button. Should I call? Text? Show up and apologize in person?

Before I could decide, my phone rang. Elijah's name flashed on the screen.

I answered with dread pooling in my stomach. "I'm so sorry, I overslept and…"

"It's fine," he interrupted gently. "Take the day off. You clearly need rest."

"No, I can be there in an hour. I just need to shower and…"

"Violet." His voice was soft but firm. "Take the day. Doctor's orders."

"You're not a doctor." I quipped.

"No, but I am your employer, and I'm telling you to take the time you need. Come back when you're ready."

I wanted to argue that missing work two days in one week was unacceptable just after joining. Mirella had already scorned me for taking a vacation just after joining.

Though I was the director here myself, the guilt still wouldn’t let me sit still.

"Okay," I conceded. "But I'll be there this afternoon. I promise. Just give me a few hours."

There was a pause. Then he added, "You can work from home if you want."

“No, I dont have everything in the laptop.” I replied.

“If you’re sure…” He began.

"I'm sure."

"Then I'll see you when you get here." There was another pause before he added. "And Violet? There's no rush. Take all the time you need."

He hung up before I could respond, leaving me staring at my phone with a confusing mix of gratitude and guilt.

I forced myself through a shower, taking longer than necessary to let the hot water ease the lingering tension in my muscles. I then got dressed in professional clothes, did my makeup with extra care to hide the dark circles and exhaustion still evident  on my face to the best of my ability.

By the time I was ready to leave, it was nearly 12 pm. I grabbed my bag and headed outside, hoping to slip out before Mom could ask questions.

But she was waiting in the kitchen, coffee already poured.

"Morning, sweetheart. Feeling better?"

"Much better. Just heading to work now."

"So late? I thought you were taking the day off today."

"I had some flexibility this morning," I said vaguely, accepting the coffee she offered. "Thank you for this."

I drank it quickly, and placed the cup back on the counter.

"Drive safe," Mom called as I headed for the door. "And maybe text that Dane boy? He seemed so nice at dinner."

I pretended not to hear, closing the door behind me and hurrying outside but then I got a call from Elijah.

“Your car is waiting for you outside your gate.”

I blinked in confusion and walked out to see that the same driver and car from last night were waiting outside.

“You don’t need to…” I replied but he cut me off.

“That driver and car is yours for as long as you need.”

“I can drive very well.”

But his voice grew only slightly stern. “But I want my employee in good health and can do everything in my power to ensure her wellbeing. Take the car please.”

I sighed and got inside the car. “You are very stubborn” I lamented and I thought I almost heard him smile.

“See you soon.”

But when I pulled into the parking garage, I immediately noticed something was off.