It has been over five hours since Winter’s encounter with Drae, but his words still echo in her mind, along with the image of the picture she’d seen on his desk.
She can’t shake the thought of that woman, the way her lifeless eyes seemed to stare back at her.
Who was she?
And why did Drae have a photo of her?
The unsettling possibility creeps into her mind—could Drae have been involved in her death?
Winter shivers and shakes her head.
No, she thinks, there’s no way Drae could’ve done something like that… right?
But she can’t deny there is something dark, something deeply hidden, about him.
Her gaze drifts to her new laptop on the desk.
She is tempted to start looking for answers, but without a name or details, she knows it will be futile.
Moreover, her laptop isn’t ready for use anyway.
The instructions were for it to charge for a minimum of eight hours before use.
Dragging in a frustrated breath, Winter stops pacing and plops down onto her bed.
After leaving Drae’s room, she had retrieved her chargers from the car and bumped into Evelyn on the way back.
The older woman had been kind, offering to bring Winter’s lunch to her room and inviting her to come to the kitchen anytime she needed company or a listening ear.
Winter looks toward the door, debating.
Maybe Evelyn is right.
She can’t just sit alone, dwelling on her worries and the disturbing photo she’d seen.
A walk around the mansion might clear her head, and maybe Evelyn will be able to share something that makes sense of it all.
With that thought, Winter grabs a cardigan, slips it on, and heads for the door.
Evelyn looks up, a smile forming as she sees Winter enter the kitchen.
She is glad the girl accepted her offer.
Evelyn had felt drawn to Winter from the moment she arrived.
The girl’s quiet, uncertain presence made her seem a bit out of place, which tugged at Evelyn’s heart.
She isn’t sure what Mr. Marcus intends for Winter and her mother, but she has a feeling it isn’t good. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Still, she hopes she can look out for Winter in whatever small ways she can.
“Miss Winter, I’m glad you came,” Evelyn says, wiping her hands on a towel.
“You turned down my lunch offer earlier, and you didn’t come down. Did hunger finally win over your stubbornness?”
Winter laughs, grateful for Evelyn’s gentle humor.
“You’re right; hunger did win. But honestly, I came for your company.”
Evelyn chuckles, pulling out a tin of biscuits and setting it on the counter.
“Of course, you did. I can imagine how lonely it must feel, stuck in that room. I’ve worked here nearly ten years, and I know just how quiet this house can get. But don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. These old walls have a way of making you feel at home once you’ve been here a while.”
Winter offers a small smile, reaching for a biscuit as Evelyn opens the tin.
The warm, buttery smell is comforting.
“I’ll try,” she replies, taking a bite.
Evelyn watches Winter closely, noticing the girl’s shoulders relax as they speak.
But she senses something is on Winter’s mind when her expression grows thoughtful.
“Evelyn,” Winter begins, hesitating, “can I ask you something? It’s about Drae’s mother.”
Evelyn’s smile fades slightly, and her hand stills as she sets down the towel.
Sadness flickers in her eyes, but she nods.
“Of course, dear. What would you like to know?”
Winter shifts, uncertain of how to phrase her question.
“I don’t really know much about her. Did she… leave? Or, um… did she divorce Marcus?”
Evelyn’s expression softens as she looks away, lost in a memory she’d rather forget.
Beverly Bond had been more than an employer; she’d been a friend.
Talking about her now, with all she knows but can never say, feels almost painful.
“Beverly,” she says gently, “was a lovely woman. She passed about a year ago. Right before she moved to one of his estates in the upper city, Mr. Marcus told us she’d been sick and had to travel for treatment. But eventually… she just couldn’t fight it anymore, and it overwhelmed her.”
Winter feels a pang of sadness. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
She hadn’t expected to hear that Drae’s mother had passed away, or that it was from a strange illness.
“I’m sorry,” she says softly.
“That must have been really hard for Drae.”
Evelyn nods slowly, her gaze distant.
“It was. Drae was very close to her, and her death hit him hard. He hasn’t been the same since.”
Winter frowns, sensing there is more beneath the surface.
“But… I haven’t seen any pictures of her around the house,” she says carefully.
“Not even family photos, or any from Drae’s childhood.”
Evelyn’s lips press into a thin line.
But she offers a weary smile.
“Mr. Marcus never cared much for family photos. Beverly tried, bless her heart, but Mr. Bond was never one for having them around.”
Winter takes another bite of her biscuit, her mind racing with more questions.
She feels certain Evelyn is holding back, but she doesn’t want to push too hard.
“Don’t worry yourself too much about it, Miss Winter,” Evelyn says gently, noticing the girl’s frown.
“Sometimes it’s better not to dwell on the past, especially in a place like this.”
Winter glances at her empty plate, then back at Evelyn.
“You’re right,” she replies, deciding it is best to let it go.
“I think I’ll go walk around the garden for a bit. The fresh air will do me good.”
Evelyn smiles warmly, relieved to steer the conversation away from such dangerous territory.
“It’s a beautiful evening for it. The sunset will light up the garden perfectly. Head through those doors, and you’ll find your way.”
Winter nods, standing from her seat and brushing off her hands.
“Thank you, Evelyn,” she says sincerely.
“I appreciate you talking with me.”
Evelyn gives her a knowing smile, her eyes full of quiet understanding.
“You’re welcome, dear. Come to me anytime. Enjoy the garden.”