Different?

Summer's POV.

I walked out of the room, but I could still feel Dominic's gaze at my back, watching my every move.

He'd finally done it. Just when I thought my life couldn't get any more miserable, he'd taken Hilda away from me. She was the only thing I had as my company, the only one I talked to and now she wasn't even here anymore.

He kept saying it is for my safety but I still don't feel safe, not even a little bit and now with Hilda gone, the walls seemed even more suffocating.

I walked into my room, feeling the cool breeze enveloping the room. The windows had opened without my knowing. The faint glow of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains, painting the edges of the room in soft gold. I sat on the edge of the oversized bed, staring blankly at the crackling fire in the hearth. Sleep had been impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the weight of Dominic’s words pressing down on my chest. 

"I love you."

I felt sudden and I knew it wasn't meant for me but still I felt a little flutter in my chest. No one had said that to me, not since Alan.

He couldn’t have meant it. Dominic didn’t know the first thing about love. Love wasn’t control, wasn’t possession, wasn’t keeping someone caged like a bird with clipped wings. 

I clenched my hands into fists, the familiar spark of anger flickering to life inside me. He didn’t own me. I had told him as much last night, and I had meant it. But the truth was, I was still here. Still trapped. 

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I tensed, my heart racing. It couldn’t be him—he never knocked. 

"Come in," I called hesitantly. 

The door creaked open, and a small figure slipped inside. My breath caught when I saw who it was. 

"Hilda," I whispered. 

She moved through the door slowly, almost stumbling through. She looked exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed and her movements sluggish. But when she saw me, her face softened, and she managed a faint smile. 

"Summer," she said quietly, closing the door behind her. She staggered and I caught her just in time, pushing her to balance straight up.

"What are you doing here? After last night..." I trailed off, guilt twisting in my stomach.

She had been given punishment—stripped of her position, demoted to the kitchens. And it was all because of me. 

She shook her head, waving off my concern as she crossed the room and knelt in front of me. "None of that matters now. I just needed to see you. Are you alright?" 

"I should be asking you that," I said, my voice cracking. "This is my fault. If I hadn’t tried to leave—" 

"Stop." Her voice was firm, her eyes locking onto mine. "What happened was my choice. I knew the risks, and I’d do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe." 

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I looked away, ashamed. "But you’re not safe now. He could have... he could have had you killed." 

"But he didn’t," she said softly. "And that tells me there’s still hope, Summer. For you. For him." 

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Hope? Dominic doesn’t change. He’s stubborn and cruel and—" 

"And he loves you," she interrupted. 

I froze, the words catching me off guard. "He doesn’t know what love is," I muttered. 

"Maybe not," she admitted. "But I saw the way he looked at you last night, Summer. There’s something in him that’s shifting. He’s not the same man he was before you came here." 

How could she say such a thing? The same man that had trapped me. He didn't love me, he was delusional, living in his dreams and mistaking me for his ex-lover.

“I don't care who he is, changed or not, Hilda. I don't care.”

She shook her head, taking my hand in hers. “I disobeyed him that's why he did this, but believe me there's something different…good about him since you came here.”

I wanted to argue, to tell her she was wrong, but the truth was, I wasn’t so sure anymore. Dominic’s actions were confusing, his emotions a tangled mess that I couldn’t unravel. He was so hard to read because his emotions and expressions changed in a blink of an eye.

He was harsh and unyielding one moment, and then vulnerable the next. 

"None of that changes the fact that I can’t stay here," I said finally. "This isn’t my home. It never will be." 

Hilda sighed, reaching out to take my second hand to mine. Her touch was warm, comforting. "I understand. But if you leave, you’ll need to be careful. Dominic won’t let you go easily. Not after what’s happened." 

I nodded, my resolve hardening. "I know. But I have to try. I can’t keep living like this, Hilda. I need to be free." 

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, her expression bittersweet. "Then I’ll help you. Whatever you need, I’ll be there." 

A lump formed in my throat, and I blinked back tears. "Thank you," I whispered. 

For the first time in days, I felt a spark of hope—a fragile, fleeting thing, but hope nonetheless. I didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain: I couldn’t stay in this gilded cage any longer. 

As Hilda stood to leave, she paused at the door, her gaze lingering on me. "Be careful, Summer. He’s not the only danger in this palace." 

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but before I could ask what she meant, she slipped out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

Danger. The word echoed in my mind as I turned back to the fire, the flames dancing in my vision. 

Dominic was dangerous, yes. But who—or what—else was she warning me about? 

Whatever it was, I would face it. Because freedom was worth any risk. 

Whether he saved me once or twice, it didn't mean anything. I will find my way, whether he liked it or not.