Chapter 5
1495 Words
Two Days Later
Boston, Massachusetts
At Martin’s Mansion
Nora’s POV
“Is everything ready?” I asked Butler Jack, keeping my voice steady though my heart had been restless all morning.
“Yes, ma’am. Both rooms are organized,” he replied, bowing slightly.
“Good. They’ll arrive at any moment.” I gave him a small nod, dismissing him.
When he walked away, silence filled the grand hall, and I let out a slow, relieved sigh. The heavy air of responsibility weighed on me.
Finally, everything was prepared—especially the first-floor room, just as Eldest Master had ordered. His words still rang clearly in my ears:
“Make it a girls’ room. Everything essential must be placed there. I don’t want any mistakes. They are my best friend’s children, and I want you to treat them just as you treat Ryan, my son—especially the girl. Understood?”
That was what Sir had told me.
Yet, I couldn’t understand why he had insisted on giving the girl the room right beside the Young Master’s, while instructing that the boy’s room should be far away from hers. When I dared to ask, his only reply was brief, almost cryptic:
“Because those siblings are also like Ryan and Emma.”
And so, the boy’s room had been arranged on the second floor, right beside Emma’s room—the farthest possible from the Young Master.
I still remembered the day Emma had begged for the room next to Ryan’s. Sir had refused outright. Even Young Master himself had ordered me to keep Emma’s room far away from his.
My lips pressed together at the memory. Emma had once accidentally ended up in that forbidden room beside Young Master’s. More than him, it was Sir who had been furious. The punishment she received that day had been severe, and though the truth was never spoken aloud, I always suspected it had something to do with Sir’s best friend…
Ding-dong.
The sharp sound of the main gate’s doorbell jolted me. My pulse jumped.
They’re here.
I straightened my apron and hurried downstairs, my shoes echoing softly against the polished marble floor. The grand double doors opened, and I finally saw them.
Two figures stepped inside, their presence pulling the mansion into silence. Servants followed close behind, burdened with their luggage.
The moment I saw their faces, recognition struck like lightning.
Wait… isn’t he the same person? Just older now, more mature. Taller, too.
The last time they visited, his sudden departure had sparked a huge commotion. Sir had been so angry at Emma that day. That scene had carved itself into my memory.
They hadn’t changed much—just a little more grown. Still, Emma had been delighted back then because, for the first time, Young Master had taken her side.
“Hello, sir. Ma’am. How was your journey? I hope it was comfortable,” I greeted politely, folding my hands before me. “Welcome to the Martin’s house.”
“Nice to meet you again, Miss Nora,” Ethan replied with a soft smile. He remembered me.
Then my gaze shifted to the girl. For a moment, her name slipped my mind—until she spoke with a confident tilt of her head.
“Hello, Miss Nora. Nice to meet you too. I’m Riona. I hope you remember me as well.”
Her words startled me. She remembered me… yet I had almost forgotten her.
“Of course I do, Miss Riona,” I lied quickly, forcing a pleasant smile that I hoped masked my hesitation.
“Miss Nora, I’m really tired. Could you please show me my room?” she asked, her voice weary, her eyes already wandering around the lavish interior as though inspecting it.
“Of course. I’ll show you both your rooms. After some rest, please join us for lunch. Sir has arranged a special meal in your honour,” I explained as I led them upstairs, my footsteps measured and quiet.
On the first floor, I gestured to one of the doors. “This is your room, ma’am.”
Riona’s lips curved into a smile, though something about it felt distant, almost forced.
“Then leave,” she said curtly, glancing briefly at her brother before shutting the door behind her.
“Your luggage will be brought up shortly,” I added quickly, though my words fell to the closed door. A frown tugged at my brows.
She’s rude.
Turning to Ethan, I noticed him scanning his surroundings, eyes sharp, as though he was memorizing every detail of the mansion. When our eyes met, he spoke calmly, “Just tell me where my room is. No need to show me. You look like you have other work to do.” A faint smile brushed his lips.
For some reason, he seemed kinder than I remembered.
“Your room is on the second floor, sir,” I answered politely.
He frowned, confusion flickering across his features. “Why? If I recall correctly, there are plenty of empty rooms on this floor too.”
My heart skipped. How does he know that?
“Ah… the rooms on this floor aren’t spacious or comfortable enough for someone staying long-term,” I lied smoothly, keeping my tone light. “The second-floor room is a much better option, so we arranged that for you, sir.”
He studied me, his gaze lingering, almost suspicious, before finally nodding. “Fine. Which room?”
“The same as this one—just on the second floor.”
“Alright. I’ll go by myself.”
With that, he walked away, hands slipping into his pockets.
As his footsteps faded, I released my nth sigh of the day.
I hope their arrival doesn’t ruin this household’s peace… though peace hardly exists here to begin with.
⸻
As soon as I reached the ground floor
“Finally, the room showing is done! Now it’s time to get to real work!”
I said to myself straightening my posture to get through the work but before I even started-
“Ahhhhhhh!!”
The sudden scream made me freeze in my tracks.
Emma?!
Already on the ground floor, I bolted upstairs, my skirt swishing around my ankles. At the same time, Young Master Ryan emerged from his room, his expression tight with worry—though the instant his eyes landed on me, his mask of indifference returned.
“What is this noise? So irritating,” he muttered coldly.
Riona’s door burst open. “Oh my God, who’s screaming like that?” She glanced beside her and gasped. “Oh, hello, Ryan! How are you? I hope you remember—”
Her words were drowned out by another cry.
“What?! I am not a thief! Stop! I said STOP!”
It was Ethan’s voice.
Before I could react, Ryan suddenly dashed toward Emma’s room. For the first time, I saw him run—toward Emma’s room, no less. It was strange. So unlike him.
I hurried after him, but Riona shoved past me, her voice sharp. “Ryan, wait! That sounds like Ethan! What has he done now?!”
When we reached the doorway, the scene before us stunned us all.
Ethan had both of Emma’s wrists pinned against the wall. Her frightened squeals filled the room.
What on earth…?
Ryan’s voice roared, “What the hell is going on here?! And who the hell are you?!” His glare burned with such ferocity it could have frozen fire itself.
“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?” Ethan released Emma, turning to face Ryan without fear.
“This is my house! And I—” Ryan began, but Emma suddenly squealed with delight, cutting him off.
“Brother!! Oh my God, you’re here! You never come to see me! Omggggg!” She bounced with excitement, clinging to his sleeve. “Why are you standing outside? Come in! Look, Mom bought new curtains—they match perfectly with my room co—”
“Please shut up! For God’s sake, Emma!” Ryan snapped. His voice cracked like a whip.
Emma froze, her excitement draining into hurt.
“I was just—” she whispered, but quickly silenced herself, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Poor Emma…
“You’re so rude,” Ethan muttered, stepping out of the room. His hands slid back into his pockets as he faced Ryan head-on.
They stood almost equal in height, their glares locking in a battle of wills. For once, someone dared to defy the Young Master openly—other than Eldest Master himself.
The air in the hallway grew heavy, colder, suffocating.
Chills raced down my spine.
And this was only their first day. Not even twenty-four hours had passed since their arrival.
Watching the silent war between Ryan and Ethan, I realized one thing with unsettling clarity:
The fragile peace of this house was about to shatter.
Or worse.
To be continued…
- Writer
