~Sophia
After settling into our room, I turned to Nathaniel, who was busy unpacking. “I need to catch up with Martha and Lily,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.
He looked up, his brow furrowing slightly. “You sure you're okay?” He asked the twentieth time.
“Yeah, of course,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just want to make up for lost time.”
He nodded, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to his task.
I slipped outside, letting the cool evening air wash over me as I walked along the stone pathway that wound through the garden. The mansion’s exterior lights cast a warm glow on the perfectly manicured lawn, but the beauty of my surroundings did little to soothe the storm brewing inside me.
I hated myself.
I hated how selfish I’d been, how I
