Seven

The next morning, I woke to the gentle voice of Margret calling my name. I blinked a few times, disoriented, before remembering I had spent the night in the hospital room. My neck ached from sleeping in the chair, and the sunlight streaming through the window felt too bright against my groggy state.

“Ella,” she said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t you go home for a bit? You need to shower and rest. I’ll take care of him.”

I nodded, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Thanks,” I mumbled. “I’ll head out for a little while.”

She smiled warmly and handed me my bag. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll call you if there’s any change.”

I leaned over to kiss Grandpa’s forehead, murmuring a quiet goodbye before slipping out of the room. My body felt heavy with exhaustion and worry as I made my way down the hospital corridors. There was so much to do—so much I didn’t even know how to handle. I needed to see a legal aid lawyer and figure out how to get Theo out of this mess. And now, with Grandpa’s hospital bills piling up, I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of it all.

As I stepped onto the street, the crisp morning air jolted me awake. My shoes clicked against the pavement as I walked, scanning for a bus stop. A taxi was out of the question—I barely had enough money to cover the hospital bill, let alone a ride.

Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. It was the kind of car you only see in movies or parked outside fancy restaurants. The windows were tinted, and I hesitated, feeling a wave of unease. Then the driver’s side door opened, and a man in a sharp suit and dark glasses stepped out.

“Miss Montrose?” he asked, his voice polite but firm.

I froze, clutching my bag tightly. “Yes?”

He gave a small smile and adjusted his glasses. “I’m a representative from the company your brother worked for. I’d like to speak with you regarding his current situation.”

The company? My stomach twisted with suspicion. “What do you want?”

“Just to talk,” he replied smoothly, gesturing toward the car. “Please, it won’t take long.”

I hesitated, glancing at the luxurious vehicle. Everything about this felt off, but I was too curious—and too desperate—not to hear him out. After a moment, I nodded and stepped toward the car.

As I slid into the backseat, I became acutely aware of how out of place I felt. The leather seats were pristine, and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the air. I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly conscious of the fact that I hadn’t brushed my teeth or showered yet. I made a mental note to keep my distance from the man as he climbed back into the driver’s seat.

The ride was silent at first. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past, while my mind raced with questions. Was this man Theo’s boss? He certainly dressed the part. And why wasn’t he saying anything?

Finally, I couldn’t take the silence any longer. “So, what’s this about?” I asked, leaning forward slightly.

The man glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “We’ll discuss everything once we arrive,” he said, his tone measured.

I frowned but didn’t push further. Something about the way he spoke made it clear he wasn’t going to elaborate. Instead, I leaned back in my seat and tried to suppress the growing unease in my chest.

The car eventually pulled into the driveway of a towering glass building. It was sleek and modern, the kind of place that screamed money. My anxiety spiked as the driver opened the door for me.

“This way, Miss Montrose,” he said, gesturing toward the entrance.

I followed him inside, my footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The lobby was vast and intimidating, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a receptionist’s desk that looked more like a sculpture than a piece of furniture. As we walked past the reception desk, my stomach twisted when I recognized the woman seated there. The same receptionist who had denied her access to Theo’s boss just a few days ago. The woman barely glanced at me now, her focus entirely on the screen in front of her.

The man led me to an elevator, and we ascended in silence. The elevator ride was silent, except for the faint hum of machinery and the echo of my own heartbeat. I tried not to fidget, clasping my hands tightly in my lap. The car ride earlier had been strange enough, but now, being escorted into this imposing building, my nerves threatened to betray me. I glanced sideways at the suited man who had brought me here. His expression remained unreadable, a mask of indifference that only added to my anxiety.

The doors slid open with a quiet chime, revealing the top floor of the building. The air seemed different here—cooler, crisper, and tinged with the faint smell of polished wood and leather. I stepped out hesitantly, my eyes immediately drawn to the opulence surrounding me. Sleek black marble floors reflected the soft glow of modern chandeliers. Abstract paintings adorned the walls and the faint hum of distant conversations filtered through the air.

I felt impossibly out of place. My worn cardigan and scuffed shoes were a stark contrast to the immaculate elegance of this world.

The suited man led me down a hallway lined with glass walls that offered glimpses of sleek offices and well-dressed professionals. Each step seemed heavier than the last as my mind raced. Who was waiting for me behind those doors? Was it Theo’s boss? Would he listen to me? Would he help my brother?

Finally, we stopped in front of a pair of towering double glass doors. The man turned to me and gestured for for to enter. “Go on,” he said simply, his tone neutral.

I hesitated, my fingers twitching at my sides. “Are you sure I can just… walk in?” I asked, my voice smaller than I intended.

He gave me a slight nod, his expression softening just enough to assure me that I wasn’t making a mistake. “He’s expecting you.”

With a deep breath, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside.

The office was vast, its walls made almost entirely of glass that offered a panoramic view of the city. The early morning sun bathed the room in golden light, casting long shadows across the plush gray carpet. A sleek black desk stood near the center, but my eyes were immediately drawn to the man standing by the far window, his back to me. He was tall with blonde hair, his posture rigid, and his hands were clasped behind him as he stared out at the sprawling cityscape below.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. I took a cautious step forward, my shoes sinking into the soft carpet. The man didn’t move, didn’t acknowledge my presence. For a moment, I wondered if he had even heard me enter.

“Excuse me,” I said tentatively, my voice trembling slightly. “I have come here to talk about my brother…”

The man at the window still didn’t move, his tall frame silhouetted against the city’s golden glow. The stillness of the room was unnerving, broken only by the faint hum of air conditioning.

I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting the suited man who brought me here to offer some explanation, but the doors were already shut behind me. I was alone with the man who had his back turned to me.

Swallowing hard, I took another hesitant step forward. “Excuse me,” I said softly, my still voice quivering. “I… I’ve been wanting to meet with you, sir.  and—”

“Ella Montrose.”

The voice stopped me mid-sentence. Deep and cold, it wrapped around me like a vice. I froze, staring at the figure who remained motionless, his back still to me.

“Yes,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I… That’s me. I'm Theo Montrose’s sister ”

The man turned.

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.

My heart slammed against my ribs as my eyes locked on the man before me. My breath hitched, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing.

It was Him.

James Lancaster.