Chapter 13
965 Words
The mansion was unusually quiet that
evening.
For the first time in years, Chloe's family slept without fear.
Her younger sisters had spent almost an hour walking around the east wing, touching everything they saw with excitement. Her little brother kept asking questions about the huge rooms, the garden, and the security around the mansion.
But Chloe could barely smile, she stood by the window of her room, staring at the lights outside.
Her family was safe, that should have been enough to make her happy.
But there was something heavy sitting in her heart. A secret she had been carrying since the day she signed the contract, not even her mother.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Chloe?" She turned around and saw her mother standing at the door.
"Mom"Her mother smiled gently and walked inside.
"You haven't changed"
Chloe looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You always worry about everyone else before yourself"
Her mother's words made Chloe lower her eyes, her mother walked closer and held her hand.
"When I heard your voice on the phone today, I knew you were scared, but you still tried to sound strong for me"
Chloe forced a small smile.
"I couldn't let anything happen to you, no matter how angry I may be at you"
Her mother's eyes filled with tears.
"You saved us today and I am very sorry for not being able to stand up for you that day"
"No, Mom don't apologize" Chloe quickly shook her head.
"And I couldn't have done anything without him"
Her mother glanced toward the mansion hallway.
"The man from earlier who accompanied you?"
"Yes mom"
"He helped us when he didn't have to"
A small silence fell between them, then her mother looked at her carefully.
"Chloe"
"Yes?"
"There is something you haven't told me"
Chloe froze.
"What?"Her mother squeezed her hand gently.
"I saw the way you looked at him today"
Chloe looked away.
"Mom..."
"You are grateful to him, but there is something else" Chloe remained silent, her mother had always known when something was troubling her.
Finally, Chloe took a deep breath.
"There is something I need to tell you"
Her mother's expression became serious.
"What is it?"
Chloe sat down slowly on the edge of the bed, she held her mom's hand and made her sit on the bed too
"When I left home...things happened and I found myself here"She paused.
"I didn't come here because I found a normal job"
Her mother frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Chloe looked down at her hands, twisting them as she summoned all her courage to tell her mom the truth.
"I kinda signed a contract"
"A contract?"Her mom repeated, Chloe nodded.
"With that man?"
"His name is Mr Amirion"
"Mr Amirion ok"
Her mother stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"I am going to become his wife because of that contract"
The room suddenly felt colder, her mother's eyes widened.
"Wife?"
Chloe nodded slowly.
"It isn't a real marriage at first"
Her mother held her hand
"Chloe, what are you saying?"
"I am desperate I need money, and I needed to leave home to make it, I wanna make life better for my siblings and you mom so i didn't think twice before agreeing to do it and by the way I am indebted to him"
Her voice became softer.
"He offered me a contract marriage"
Her mother stared at her, trying to understand.
"So you mean..."
"It is an agreement"
A painful silence filled the room, her mother looked at her daughter's face, noticing the sadness she had been hiding.
"Does he treat you badly?"
The question immediately made Chloe look up.
"No"She answered quickly.
"No, Mom"She shooked.
"He's nice but he acts strange at times"Chloe said smiling to make her mom believe her, Mrs smiled sadly.
"I am really sorry for not being able to give you and your siblings the life you deserve"
"Mom, it's ok I have told you countless times it's not your fault"
"Thank you for being the best daughter and sister"Her mom said, Chloe's eyes became emotional.
"I love you mom" Chloe said as she hugged her mom.
"I love you too my baby"Her mom kissed her forehead.
"He is a nice person, he really did so much for us"Mrs Hampson said
"I'm surprised"Chloe said under her breath.
"Did you say something?"Her mom asked.
"No mom"Chloe lied
A quiet knock came from the door before either of them could say anything, they both looked up.
Mr. Amirion stood there.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Chloe's heart skipped.
"Mr. Amirion"
His eyes moved between Chloe and her mother.
"I was looking for you" His voice was calm than usual, Chloe thought he was trying to make a good impression of himself to her mom she wondered why.
Chloe immediately stood, her mother looked at him and said.
"Mr. Amirion"
He stepped inside.
"I should have introduced myself properly when your family arrived"He looked at Chloe's mother as he paused.
"I'm Amirion"
Her mother nodded respectfully.
"Thank you for everything you have done for my family"
He remained silent for a moment, then he spoke.
"You don't have to thank me"His eyes briefly moved toward Chloe.
"It's what anyone would have done"Chloe looked at him in surprise.
"But thank you for doing that for us"Her mom said.
"It's not a problem...Could I take Chloe for a bit?" He asked.
"Sure she's all yours" Her mom said, he gently grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
Mr. Amirion's footsteps echoed through the mansion as he descended the grand staircase.
His expression was cold once again, as if the gentle man Chloe had spoken to upstairs had disappeared.
Chloe followed behind him while Cody walked a short distance away.
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