KINGSTON MANOR
1193 Words
Kingston Manor.
Evelyn stared at Alexander. You just told me we were not going.
I changed my mind.
Clearly.
Alexander picked up his keys. Stay close to me.
She grabbed her bag. I do not take orders well.
I have noticed.
They left the house within minutes.
The drive was quiet. Evelyn watched the city disappear behind them as Alexander drove farther away from the busy streets.
After nearly an hour, the gates of Kingston Manor appeared.
Evelyn looked through the windshield. The estate was enormous. Old stone walls surrounded the property, and tall trees covered most of the grounds. The mansion looked as if it had been standing there for generations.
This is where your father lived?
Yes.
And you?
I grew up here.
Evelyn looked at him. You never mentioned that.
You never asked.
I am beginning to think I should ask you everything.
That would take a while.
She almost smiled. Almost.
Alexander stopped the car. Two security guards opened the gates.
As they drove through, Evelyn noticed something strange. There were fresh tire marks on the driveway.
She pointed. Someone has been here recently.
Alexander glanced at them. Yes.
Who?
I do not know.
They parked near the entrance. Alexander got out first. Evelyn followed.
The front door was already unlocked.
She stopped. “Was it supposed to be?
No.
Alexander’s expression hardened. He pulled out his phone.
Stay behind me.
I can protect myself.
Evelyn.
She sighed. Fine.
They entered.
The house was silent. Too silent.
Alexander moved through the hallway carefully. Evelyn followed him.
Where is your father’s study?
Upstairs.
They climbed the staircase. The study door stood open.
Alexander stopped.
Evelyn looked past him. The room had been searched. Drawers were open. Papers covered the floor. A cabinet had been forced open.
She walked inside.
Someone was looking for something.
Yes.
Do you know what?
Alexander walked toward the desk.
The box.
What box?
He pointed toward an empty space inside the cabinet.
My father’s private records were kept there.
And they are gone?
Yes.
Evelyn’s stomach tightened. Everything?
Almost everything.
She looked around. What is that?
A small silver object lay beneath the desk.
Evelyn picked it up. Her breath caught.
It was her mother’s jewelry box.
This is my mother’s.
Alexander took it from her carefully. Yes.
How did it get here?
I do not know.
Evelyn stared at him. You said you knew about it.
I knew my father had it.
But you did not know why?
No.
She opened the box. It was empty except for a tiny folded piece of paper.
Evelyn pulled it out.
Alexander immediately reached for it.
She moved it away. Do not.
Evelyn.
I am reading it.
She unfolded the paper.
There was only one sentence:
HE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE.
Evelyn looked at Alexander. Who?
He did not answer.
Alexander.
His eyes remained on the note.
My father.
A cold silence filled the room.
Evelyn looked at the empty jewelry box. Your father was not supposed to survive what?”
I do not know,said Alexander
“You keep saying that.
Because I do not have the answer.
She folded the paper. Then we find it.
Alexander looked at her. You are not afraid?
I am.
Then why are you still here?
Evelyn met his eyes. Because I am tired of everyone deciding what I can handle.
For a moment, Alexander said nothing.
Then he nodded. Fair enough.
A loud crash came from downstairs.
Evelyn jumped.
Alexander immediately stepped in front of her.
Stay here.
Alexander
Stay.
He disappeared through the doorway.
Evelyn waited.Five seconds,Ten seconds
Nothing.
Alexander?
No answer.
She stepped into the hallway.
Alexander?
Still nothing.
Then she heard footsteps.
Someone was coming up the stairs.
Evelyn backed away.
Alexander?
A man appeared at the top of the staircase.
Not Alexander.
He looked at her, then smiled.
Evelyn’s heart slammed against her ribs.
Who are you?
The man did not answer.
He turned and ran.
Evelyn followed without thinking.
Hey!
He disappeared down another hallway.
She heard Alexander behind her.
Evelyn!
She stopped. Alexander caught up.
Are you insane?
“There was someone here.
I know.
He ran that way.
Alexander looked down the hallway.The man was gone.A window stood open.Alexander walked toward it.“He escaped.
Evelyn looked outside. Who was he?
I do not know.
She turned toward him. Why was he here?
I do not know.
Alexander! Evelyn called .
I said I do not know.
She fell silent.
Alexander looked at her. Are you hurt?
No.
Are you sure?
Yes.
He reached for her hand.
She looked down. His fingers were wrapped around hers.
Neither of them moved.
For a moment, the entire house seemed to disappear.
Alexander’s gaze dropped to her lips. Evelyn noticed.
Her heart skipped.
He released her hand.
We are leaving.
She swallowed. Because of him?
Because this house is not safe anymore.
Where are we going? Evenly asked
My home. Alexander said
You mean your mansion?
“Yes.
Evelyn hesitated. Alexander
What?
“This marriage arrangement
What about it?
She looked away. I do not know what I am getting myself into.
His voice softened. Neither do I.
That answer surprised her.
He took her bag. Come on.
She followed him downstairs.
Before leaving, Evelyn looked back at the study. Something about that room bothered her. Something she could not explain.
Then she noticed it.
A photograph sat on the floor.
She walked back and picked it up.
Her mother.
Alexander’s father.
And a third person standing between them.
Evelyn stared at the unfamiliar face. She had never seen him before.
On the back of the photograph, someone had written a name:
DANIEL CARTER.
Evelyn froze.
Carter. Her family name.
She turned toward Alexander.
Alexander.
He looked back. What?
She held up the photograph. Who is Daniel Carter?
Alexander’s face changed. For the first time, Evelyn saw genuine shock in his eyes.
He walked toward her.
Where did you get that?
It was on the floor.
He took the photograph. His fingers tightened around it.
Evelyn
What?
He looked at her. That is your grandfather.
She stared at him. My grandfather died twenty years ago.
I know.
Then why was he here with your father?
Alexander looked at the photograph again.
His voice dropped. Because our families knew each other long before you and I ever did.
Evelyn’s mind raced. What are you not telling me?
Alexander did not answer. Instead, he took her hand.
We are leaving.
She pulled her hand away. No.
He looked at her.
I want answers.
And you will get them.
When?
Alexander stared at the photograph. When I know which answers will not put you in danger.
Evelyn shook her head. You are doing it again.
Doing what?
Trying to protect me by keeping me in the dark.
Alexander’s expression softened. Maybe.
He opened the door.
But tonight, you are coming home with me.
Evelyn hesitated, then stepped outside.
She did not know what scared her more: the man who had broken into Kingston Manor, or the fact that she was beginning to trust the man who owned it.
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