PANDORA

Chapter 12

That night, Pearl couldn't stop thinking about him-the man who had taken her breath away. No, not just a man. He seemed more like a god. She lay awake, restless, replaying every detail of his presence in her mind. The thoughts consumed her so much that she didn't even touch her dinner.

When morning came, Pearl woke up feeling drained, as though the memory of him had stolen her strength. Still exhausted, she dressed and walked into the living room.

"Hey, gurl, I made pancakes," Chloe said cheerfully while clearing the dining table.

"I'm not hungry," Pearl replied softly.

Chloe paused, eyeing her with concern. "You sure? You didn't eat last night, and now you don't want breakfast either? What's going on?"

"I'm fine," Pearl insisted with a weak smile before slipping quietly out of the house.

The day dragged on, every hour heavy and colorless. Pearl moved through it like a shadow. She didn't feel like speaking to anyone-not even Terry. Instead, she chose to hide away with her thoughts.

Pearl shut herself away in the mansion library, where she drowned her moods in books. No sadness, no joy-just numbness. She didn't even know what was wrong with her, but whatever it was, reading seemed to wash it away.

Inside the mansion, the maids whispered nervously. No one dared step out of line-especially when it came to Master Trevor's room. Not even Madam Rita, the strictest of them all, wanted to risk it. Everyone knew the stories: those who had cleaned Trevor's room in the past often regretted it deeply.

One evening, Trevor's mother gathered her courage and stormed into his chambers. "Why won't you let anyone clean this dungeon you call a room?" she demanded.

"Luciana, leave. I don't want your presence in my room," Trevor replied coldly.

His mother's eyes blazed. "How dare you? This is my house!" she thundered.

Trevor's voice snapped like a whip. "I said leave!"

Luciana stood her ground. "No. I won't."

Trevor's gaze darkened as he turned away. "Fine, then I will." He stormed out of the room, leaving her in the suffocating silence he carried everywhere.