Chapter 11
1853 Words
There was a problem.
Rosalina kept leaving.
She would wake up, eat breakfast with them, smile at them, and then walk out of the mansion.
And every time she did, someone else got to see her.
Her father noticed it first that afternoon.
He sat in his study, a report open before him, though his attention had long since wandered toward the window.
Rosalina was in the garden.
She had a book tucked beneath her arm as she walked between the flower beds.
Safe.
Close.
His shoulders relaxed.
He knew she deserved freedom. He knew she could go wherever she wanted.
Still, the thought of her leaving the estate for the day left an unpleasant weight in his chest.
A knock sounded.
His wife entered and followed his gaze.
“You’ve been watching her.”
“So have you.”
She smiled.
“Of course.”
They stood beside the window together.
After a moment, she said quietly, “I want her to stay.”
He glanced at her.
“I know.”
“I want to spoil her.”
“You already do.”
“I want to make up for everything.”
His expression softened.
“So do I.”
She looked down at her hands.
“Is that selfish?”
“Probably.”
She sighed.
“But after everything…”
Her eyes returned to Rosalina.
“I don’t want to waste another day.”
He didn’t answer.
There was nothing to say.
They had spent years taking Rosalina’s presence for granted.
Now, having her within sight felt like something precious.
His wife smiled faintly.
“At least she’s happy.”
“She is.”
“And she’s choosing to stay.”
“For now.”
Neither of them missed the importance of that distinction.
⸻
Downstairs, Rosalina’s siblings were having their own discussion.
“She’s going out again.”
Her brother stared at his phone.
His sister looked over.
“Where?”
“The Jonas family invited her to dinner.”
Her expression fell.
“Again?”
“They’re becoming very comfortable with her.”
“They’ve always been comfortable with her.”
“I know.”
He frowned.
“I don’t like it.”
His sister gave him a look.
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“Because she’s ours.”
She stared at him.
He immediately sighed.
“You know what I mean.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
They both looked toward the garden.
The Jonas family had always treated Rosalina warmly. She laughed easily around them, without the hesitation she sometimes had around her own family.
That was what bothered them.
Rosalina had people outside the mansion who genuinely enjoyed having her around.
People who didn’t need to be reminded to show affection.
Her sister folded her arms.
“I don’t want her replacing us.”
“She won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
He fell silent.
Neither did she.
⸻
Rosalina returned around four with a bundle of flowers in her arms.
Her mother appeared almost immediately.
“What’s that?”
“Flowers.”
“I can see that.”
Rosalina laughed.
“The gardener gave them to me. He said they were extra.”
Her mother’s smile became slightly strained.
“The gardener?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll put them in water.”
She took the flowers before Rosalina could protest.
“You don’t have to do everything for me.”
“I know.”
“But you keep doing it.”
Her mother smiled.
“Because I like taking care of you.”
Rosalina’s expression softened.
“Thank you.”
That single smile was enough to make her mother’s annoyance disappear.
She carried the flowers toward the kitchen.
Behind her, Rosalina shook her head with an amused smile.
⸻
That evening, the family gathered for dinner.
Rosalina sat in the middle of the table.
Her mother sat beside her.
Her sister was on the other side.
Her father sat across from her, while Adrian took the seat beside her.
Without anyone discussing it, the family had arranged themselves around Rosalina.
She didn’t seem to notice.
“And then I nearly fell over because I wasn’t looking where I was going,” Rosalina said.
Her sister laughed.
“You really need to pay attention.”
“I know.”
Adrian smiled.
“I’ll walk with you next time.”
Rosalina glanced at him.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She laughed.
“You always say that.”
“Because you always tell me I don’t have to.”
The table filled with quiet laughter.
For a moment, everything was peaceful.
Then the doorbell rang.
The laughter stopped.
Rosalina looked toward the foyer.
“Who could that be?”
A moment later, the housekeeper entered.
“Miss Lily is here.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Adrian’s expression became unreadable.
Her siblings exchanged glances.
Her mother’s fingers tightened around her napkin.
Rosalina looked surprised.
“Lily?”
“She says she’d like to speak with you.”
Rosalina started to stand.
“I’ll—”
“No.”
Adrian’s voice stopped her.
She looked at him.
He immediately softened.
“I’m sorry.”
He reached for her hand.
“You don’t have to go.”
“Why?”
He hesitated.
He wanted to say that Lily was dangerous.
That he remembered exactly what she had done.
That every instinct told him to keep Rosalina away from her.
Instead, he said, “Because you don’t owe anyone a conversation.”
Rosalina considered that.
Then nodded.
“I suppose that’s true.”
But she still looked toward the foyer.
“I should at least see what she wants.”
They followed her.
Lily stood near the front door with a pleasant smile.
“Rosalina.”
Then she noticed the entire family behind her.
Her smile remained, but her eyes flickered.
“I didn’t realize everyone would be here.”
Adrian smiled.
“We’re family.”
“Of course.”
Lily turned toward Rosalina.
“I wanted to give you something.”
She held out a small box.
Rosalina hesitated.
“What is it?”
“A gift.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
Before Rosalina could take it, her mother gently accepted it.
“I’ll check it.”
Lily blinked.
“There’s no need.”
“I’m sure.”
She opened the box.
Inside was a beautiful bracelet.
Rosalina’s eyes brightened.
“It’s pretty.”
“I thought you’d like it,” Lily said.
Adrian studied the bracelet.
He remembered it.
Not the exact bracelet.
The memory connected to it.
In their previous life, Lily had given Rosalina jewelry.
Later, when another piece went missing, Lily had been the first person to suggest Rosalina had stolen it.
They had searched Rosalina’s room.
Found nothing.
And still—
They had punished her.
Adrian looked back at Lily.
“Where did you buy it?”
“A jewelry store.”
“Which one?”
Lily hesitated.
“Why?”
“Curiosity.”
She smiled.
“Nothing special.”
He nodded.
He didn’t push.
Not yet.
Rosalina looked between them.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” Adrian said.
“Nothing at all.”
Lily smiled.
“I just wanted Rosalina to have something nice.”
Mother looked at the bracelet.
“She already has plenty.”
Lily laughed.
“She’s certainly being spoiled.”
Rosalina smiled.
“I think they’re making up for lost time.”
The family went quiet.
Lily noticed.
Then she smiled.
“I’m happy for you.”
She turned toward Rosalina.
“But you should be careful.”
Rosalina frowned.
“About what?”
“I don’t want to worry you.”
Nobody spoke.
Lily lowered her gaze.
“I’ve heard people talking.”
Father’s expression remained calm.
“What people?”
“It’s nothing important.”
“What people?”
Lily looked uncomfortable.
“I shouldn’t say.”
Rosalina’s concern grew.
“Lily.”
“I just heard that some people think your family’s sudden behavior is strange.”
Rosalina glanced at her family.
“Who said that?”
“I don’t want to cause problems.”
Mother smiled politely.
“You aren’t.”
Father gestured for her to continue.
Lily took a breath.
“Someone said perhaps they’re trying to keep you here because they don’t want you around other people.”
The foyer went silent.
Rosalina slowly turned toward Adrian.
“Do you want me to stay here?”
He froze.
The answer was immediate.
“Yes.”
Rosalina blinked.
Adrian continued before she could misunderstand.
“I want you here.”
His expression softened.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to stay.”
She stared at him.
“I want you here because you’re my wife. Because I love you.”
He paused.
“Not because I own you.”
Rosalina’s expression softened.
Her mother stepped forward.
“We all want you here.”
Her father nodded.
“But you’re free to leave whenever you want.”
Her siblings reluctantly agreed.
Rosalina smiled.
“I know.”
She looked around at them.
“And that’s why I don’t mind staying.”
Lily’s expression froze.
Her attempt had failed.
Instead of making Rosalina suspicious of her family, she had forced them to say exactly what they wanted while giving Rosalina the freedom to choose.
Rosalina looked at Lily.
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
“Of course.”
“But you don’t have to.”
Lily’s smile became strained.
“I know my family.”
Rosalina glanced toward them.
“They’re strange lately.”
Her family exchanged subtle looks.
“But they’re my family.”
She turned back to Lily.
“And I want to be with them.”
Lily didn’t respond.
A few minutes later, she said her goodbyes and left.
The front door closed.
Silence settled over the foyer.
Rosalina looked at everyone.
“Why did she seem upset?”
Her brother shrugged.
“Maybe she didn’t get the answer she wanted.”
“What answer?”
He glanced at Adrian.
“Your attention.”
Rosalina blinked.
“Why would she want that?”
Nobody answered.
⸻
Later that night, Rosalina went upstairs.
The family remained downstairs.
Her father looked toward the staircase.
“She’s staying.”
His wife smiled.
“For tonight.”
“For tonight.”
Adrian leaned against the table.
His brother looked at him.
“You sound disappointed.”
“I am.”
A few of them laughed.
Then Adrian’s expression softened.
“But I’ll take what she freely gives us.”
The others nodded.
That was the line they couldn’t cross.
They wanted Rosalina close.
They wanted to spoil her, spend time with her, and make up for every lonely year.
But if she left, they would let her.
Even if they didn’t like it.
Even if Lily continued appearing at their doorstep.
Because there was one thing they wanted more than keeping Rosalina beside them.
They wanted her to stay because she wanted to.
And tonight, she had.
For now, that was enough.
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