“Miss Winter, dinner is ready. I’m here to escort you down.”
Evelyn’s gentle voice calls through the door, drawing Winter’s attention to the clock.
It is already past 8 PM.
After Marcus and her mom left, Winter had explored her room, showered, and picked out a cream-colored blouse and jeans from the wardrobe.
“I’ll be right there,” she replies.
She takes a deep breath, combs her fingers through her hair, and opens the door, where Evelyn is waiting with a kind smile.
“I’ll show you the way. Follow me,” Evelyn says, stepping aside.
Winter nods and follows her down the long, grand hallway.
When they reach the top of the staircase, Winter pauses, glancing down at the massive dining room below.
A long table is set with polished silverware, fine plates, and an impressive spread of food—roast meats, creamy dishes, and desserts that look almost too perfect to touch.
Her stomach growls.
She hasn’t eaten much all day, but seeing all the food feels oddly overwhelming.
At the far end of the table, Marcus and her mom are already seated.
“Winter,” Sarah calls, smiling warmly.
“Come join us.”
Winter carefully descends the stairs, and Marcus rises as she approaches, pulling out a chair for her.
“Sit, young lady. We’ve been waiting.”
Winter gives him a polite nod as she takes her seat.
Marcus returns to his place across from her, and her mother, sitting beside him, reaches across the table to hold Winter’s hand.
“How are you settling in?” Sarah asks, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Is your room comfortable?”
“It’s beautiful,” Winter replies flatly.
Sarah looks pleased.
“I want you to feel at home here, honey.”
Marcus clears his throat, drawing Winter’s attention.
“Now that you are settled, let’s discuss your schooling.”
Winter swallows but nods, and Marcus continues.
“I’ve enrolled you at Crestwood Academy, starting Monday. It’s one of the best private schools in Transville, and you’ll finish your senior year there.”
Winter frowns.
“Monday?” she asks, feeling a bit stunned.
That is only two days away.
She thought she’d have more time to adjust.
“Yes, Monday,” Marcus confirms.
Winter does have a problem with it.
She has a feeling that fitting into this new school will be tough, and she isn’t ready to face that yet.
But she knows saying this will only embarrass her mother, who likes to brag about how good Winter is at school.
Biting her bottom lip, Winter shakes her head.
“Good,” Marcus says with a satisfied nod.
“Crestwood is an excellent school, and the connections you’ll make there will be valuable. You need to learn how to be part of high society.”
Winter just nods in response, deciding to get through this dinner by avoiding everyone’s gaze and focusing on her food.
They begin eating, with Marcus talking more about Crestwood and its reputation.
Winter tunes out his voice as her thoughts drift to Drae.
She has noticed that Marcus hasn’t mentioned him even once, which gives her some form of relief.
Yet, she can’t shake the feeling of wondering where he is and why he hasn’t joined them.
As if she had conjured him with her thoughts, the front door suddenly creaks open, followed by heavy footsteps heading their way.
Winter groans inwardly.
She has to be more careful about what she wishes for.
The footsteps grow closer, and before long, Drae strolls into the dining room.
He doesn’t look at them as he walks, his eyes are fixed straight ahead as though the rest of them aren’t even there.
“Drae.” Marcus’s voice slices through the room and Drae halts.
“You’re late for dinner. Join us.”
For a moment, Drae looks like he might ignore him, but he seems to think better of it.
With a sigh, he turns and saunters over to the table.
“I’ve already eaten.”
“Well, that’s your choice,” Marcus replies coolly.
“You knew this dinner was important, yet you chose to ignore it. Sit and eat with us. I don’t care if you’re full.”
Drae murmurs under his breath and drops into the seat beside Winter, who pretends to ignore him.
“Your stepsister will be starting at Crestwood on Monday,” Marcus announces after a few tense minutes.
“I expect you to show her around and help her settle in.”
Drae’s laugh is low and mocking.
“How unfortunate for you, stepsister.”
Winter flinches slightly at his words.
The thought of attending the same school as Drae, who is definitely going to make life hell for her, begins to fill Winter with dread.
Marcus narrows his gaze at Drae’s mocking words.
He lifts his fork and points it at his son as he growls, “You will look out for Winter at Crestwood, Drae. Is that understood?”
Drae rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, sure, Dad. Whatever you say.”
He then looks at Winter and adds, “Just so you know, Crestwood is nothing like what you’re used to. People there aren’t as friendly as they seem. You know how to be very careful, right?”
Drae’s words send a chill down Winter’s spine, but she decides not to respond.
She can’t tell if he is warning her or trying to scare her, but she knows she’ll find out soon enough, and that doesn’t bring her much comfort.
She wants to go back to Crossia and be with Bonnie.
Because she’s is beginning to realize that she is going to hate living here.
The rest of dinner passes in strained conversation, and as soon as it ends, Winter excuses herself and hurries upstairs.
Once in her room, she closes the door and leans against it, letting out a shaky breath as a tear slips down her cheek.
A soft knock on her door startles her.
“Miss Winter? Are you all right?”
Evelyn’s voice comes through the door, and Winter wipes her cheeks before opening it a crack to find Evelyn’s concerned expression.
“Miss Evelyn,” Winter whispers and offers the woman a forced smile.
“What can I do for you?”
The housekeeper looks Winter over a few times before responding.
“I just wanted to see if you are doing okay. The way you stormed off…”
She trails off, but Winter understands what the woman is asking.
Winter is surprised that the woman even cares.
She wants to question it, but she just doesn’t have the strength anymore.
Instead, she sighs and gives Evelyn a grateful smile.
“Thank you for checking up on me, ma’am. I am doing okay. I’m just very stressed from the day,” she replies.
Evelyn’s face softens with understanding.
“I understand, miss. If you need anything, just press the blue button at the side of your bed, and it will ring me.”
So that is what that button is for, Winter thinks as she gives Evelyn another grateful smile and says, “Thank you. I will.”
With that, Evelyn walks down the corridor, and Winter closes the door.
But just as she turns to head for the bathroom, the door creaks open again.
Winter spins around and freezes at the sight of Drae leaning against the doorway.
She is about to ask him what he is doing in her room when he holds up a hand.
“I know you think your mother has hit the jackpot by finding an upper-class citizen to marry,” Drae says, his eyes steady on hers.
“But my father isn’t who you—or she—thinks he is. If you don’t convince her to leave as soon as she can, she’ll end up like my mother. And trust me, that’s not a position either of you would want to be in.”
With that, he turns, opens the door as quietly as he had before, and slips out of her room, leaving Winter alone, confused and unsettled by his words.