Claimed At First Sight

CHAPTER 6: I OWN THE HOUSE

Reign stood at the balcony of her old bedroom, staring down at the compound below.

The late afternoon sun made long shadows across the lawn, the same lawn where her father used to push her on the swing. He had taught her to ride a bike and throw a punch under the early-morning sun after his exercise. Down there, they both had picnics on Sunday afternoons, with her dearest mother nowhere to be found, even then, too.

I miss you, Dad.

Her chest ached, tears springing into her vision.

This house, the whole of it, had been everything to her.

She wouldn't lie and say her parents' marriage had been perfect. It hadn't in anyway. Her mother had been cold even then, distant, and more interested in charity galas and social climbing than in her husband's or daughter's affairs. But her father had loved her fiercely and completely, so much that she rarely felt her mother’s absence.

Every corner of this house held a memory of him. A memory that only the two of them shared. But when he died, everything fell apart.

Reign had been twenty-one then. She was terrified, grieving, and so unbearably alone without her father that she spent most nights at Faeth's, while her mother was busy with life. That was how she got close to Asher.

Reign shut her eyes at that, and a tear slipped from the painful memory.

And as if her father’s death had been nothing, Miranda remarried less than a goddamn month after burying her husband. Miranda had walked down the aisle again, this time to Richard Hayes, a man with new money and a spoiled daughter who hated Reign on sight.

And not even two weeks after that, she gave this house, Reign's father's house, to Kora, her stepdaughter, as a gift because Kora wanted it.

Slowly, Reign peeled her eyes open and looked down at the front driveway where three men were hauling out Kora’s things, from furniture to boxes.

Good riddance.

She sniffed and wiped at her nose with the back of her hand, watching as one of the crew members struggled with a massive gilt-framed mirror.

One step at a time, she told herself. You're taking it all back. One piece at a time.

"Reign, dear?"

The voice came from inside the bedroom, soft, warm, unmistakably feminine.

Reign froze, a frown marring her face.

She knew that voice.

She turned and walked back into the bedroom where a woman in her late sixties stood near the doorway, hands clasped in front of her, and her grey hair pulled back in a neat bun. She wore a simple floral dress, and her face, wrinkled but familiar, broke into a radiant smile the moment their eyes met.

"Mama Nell?" Reign gasped.

The older woman grinned, one hand flying to her chest. "Oh, my sweet girl!"

Reign crossed the room in three quick strides and threw her arms around the woman, burying her face in her shoulder.

Mama Nell smelled like lavender soap and fresh bread, exactly the way Reign remembered.

"Oh, child," Mama Nell murmured, wrapping her arms tightly around Reign. "Look at you. Just look at you."

Reign pulled back, blinking hard against the tears that threatened to spill again. "It's really you. You're here."

"Of course I'm here." Mama Nell cupped Reign's face in both hands, her eyes shining. "Though I almost didn't recognize you. You've lost so much weight! Are you eating? Tell me you're eating."

A laugh burst out of Reign, shaky but real. "I'm eating, Mama Nell. I promise."

"Hmph." The older woman released her face and stepped back, hands on her hips, studying Reign critically. "You look like a strong wind could knock you over. Skin and bones, just like when you were a girl."

That was an exaggeration. Reign wasn't exactly skinny; she had curves in all the right places. But Mama Nell had always fussed, even when Reign was perfectly healthy.

"You haven't changed at all," Reign said, smiling through her tears.

Mama Nell scoffed, reaching up to tuck a strand of grey hair behind her ear. "People say the same thing. Especially about my face." She patted her cheek proudly. "Good genes, you know. My mother looked forty until she was seventy."

Reign laughed again, and God, it felt good.

Mrs Eleanor had been the head housekeeper here when Reign's father was alive. She had run the household with an iron fist and a warm heart, making sure every corner was spotless, every meal was perfect, and most importantly, that little Reign was always fed. The staff had adored her. She was funny, sharp-witted, and brutally honest in a way that made everyone laugh or get annoyingly frustrated.

"I've missed you," Reign whispered.

Mama Nell's expression softened. She reached out and took Reign's hand, squeezing gently. "I've missed you, too, dear. More than you know."

It felt comforting to see someone who felt like family, someone who was part of her father's memory. She hadn't realised how much she had missed it until now.

"But first," Mama Nell said, tugging her toward the bed while Reign blinked fast to get rid of the tears. "Tell me everything. What's happening? I saw some good-looking young men hauling furniture out, mountains of it!" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Is that dreadful girl finally gone?"

Reign sat, and Mama Nell settled beside her, still holding her hand.

"Yes," Reign said quietly with a small smile. "I got the house back."

Mama Nell's eyes widened. “You did?” Then her face broke into a brilliant smile. "Oh, thank the Lord! I knew this day would come. Tell me, how did you manage it? Did your mother finally see sense?"

Reign's jaw tightened. "No. I forced her hand."

"Good girl." Mama Nell's expression turned fierce. "That woman had no right to give away your father's house in the first place. This was always yours. I couldn't believe it when that spoiled brat fired us all as soon as she got the house," Mama Nell's tone turned indignant. "Twenty years I worked in this house, and she dismissed me like I was nothing."

Reign's throat is tight, her fingers nervously wrapping around each other. “I’m so sorry…”

"Don't apologise, child. None of that was your fault." The older woman waved a hand. "Besides, I landed on my feet. The Silas family down the road hired me almost immediately. Lovely people, and good pay." She grinned, and Reign couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips.

"I'm glad you did."

"Though I'll admit," Mama Nell's voice dropped, "it always broke my heart every time I walked past this house and saw what that girl had done to it. Those awful renovations, loud parties…” She shook her head, making a tut sound. "I wanted to reach out to you so many times, dear, but I didn't want to add to your pain."

"You wouldn't have," Reign whispered. And she meant it.

"Well." Mama Nell patted her hand. "I'm here now.” Then her smile turned mischievous. "And I must say, watching them haul out that hideous pink furniture? Best thing I've seen in years. Your father is probably laughing in heaven."

A laugh burst out of Reign; she couldn’t help it. And God did it feel good.

"Ma'am?" A man's voice interrupted from the doorway.

The laughter ceased, and they both turned to one of the crew members standing at the doorway.

"We're all done," he said, wiping his brow. "Everything's loaded up."

Reign nodded, relief flooding through her. "Thank you. That was fast."

"We aim to please." He glanced around the now-empty room. "You'll need a designer, I'm guessing?"

"Yes. Do you have any recommendations?"

"I'll send you a list." He tipped his head and left.

Mama Nell stood too, brushing off her dress. "Well, I should let you get back to it. You're busy, and I've taken up enough of your time."

"No, you haven't…"

"Hush now, dear." Mama Nell cupped Reign's cheek. "I'll come by later this week. You can tell me everything while I make you a proper meal. Get some meat on those bones."

Reign laughed. "I'd like that."

"Good." Mama Nell kissed her forehead. "I'm proud of you, dear. Your father would be too."

The words made her throat tightened and Reign nodded, unable to speak.

Mama Nell gave her one last squeeze, then headed for the door. Reign followed her to the staircase, but the older woman waved her off.

"Go. You have work to do." She smiled. "I'll see myself out."

Reign watched her descend the stairs, her heart full and aching all at once.

Mama Nell had just disappeared around the corner when Reign’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting a message from the crew or maybe the designer; instead, it was her mother.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?” Miranda yelled into the phone.

Reign closed her eyes, exhaling slowly.

Here we go again.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Don’t give me that bullshit, Reign. Why did you throw Kora out with all her things? Do you have any idea how upset she is? She almost cried herself unconscious."

Reign rolled her eyes, but remained silent. There's no point bickering with her mother.

“You went on one blind date. One! I haven't even heard from the family yet, and you're already acting like you own the place…"

"I do own the place. Legally, to be precise. Dad left it to me."

"That house was a gift to Kora…"

"Because you gave it away without my permission." Reign's voice was cold. "If you wish to give your stepdaughter a gift, buy her something else, not my house.”

Miranda sputtered. "You…this is…” She paused, then, “And your shares? Are you okay with losing them?”

Reign wanted to laugh, but she shrugged instead. "Suit yourself. If you want your daughter to take you to court, you can withhold them. But Mom, Grandma is still alive, hale and healthy. Do you think you’d have so much power over the shares if she were to return?”

Silence.

“I never fought for things before, but that doesn’t mean I’m foolish or they aren’t mine. I hope you understand that?"

Miranda was shocked. She had never imagined her formerly docile daughter would speak to her like that.

“You are sick.” She gritted. “If you think threatening me…” Her words got cut off, and Reign could hear what sounded like her stepfather’s voice in the background.

And sure enough, the next second, Richard’s voice came through the receiver. “Reign? Can you both take a breath here? You both are getting a bit emotional.”

Reign's jaw tightened, but she remained quiet.

"How about this: since you already met the man, let both families meet this weekend. We'll finalise the marriage date, and discuss wedding plans. Once everything's settled, you'll have full access to your inheritance. Fair?"

Reign's hands curled into fists.

It wasn't fair.

None of this was fair.

And the discussion was none of Richard’s goddamn business

But she also knew she wouldn't win this fight over the phone.

"Fine," she said.

"Excellent. I'll arrange everything."

After hanging, Richard looked at her, displeased.

“You can’t even manage your own daughter?”

Miranda was speechless for a sec, then she turned defensive. “…I was upset, okay? I didn’t expect her to act like this.”

Richard’s face darkened. “Children grow up, Miranda. They become calculating. You should know better than to fall out with her now. Wait until the marriage is finalised before discussing anything else.”

“But Kora…”

“Let Kora be.” Richard snapped. “For now, focus on Reign and don’t aggravate her more than you already did.”

Miranda pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing. “Fine”