Daniel carries my luggage into the guest room I’ve always used at the Devereaux mansion. It’s right next to Dominic’s bedroom and opposite Daniel’s. I’m fairly certain it didn’t used to be a guest room until I started to stay over regularly. He looks around the room as though he’s never seen it before, and he might not have. I don’t remember him ever coming in here in the last couple of years. He sits down on my bed and watches me unpack with a frown.
“Are you sure you want to stay here and not in the downtown apartment?”
I nod. “At least here I’ll have your mum and Dominic. I know what your working hours are like. If we lived in the apartment, I’d always be alone.”
He doesn’t say anything as I slowly unpack. I’ve always felt at home in this room, but this time I feel off. I feel out of place. Daniel nods and leaves to unpack his own things. I get the feeling I’m not the only one who feels a little out of place here.
Before I know it, it’s time for dinner. One of the maids knocks on my door, startling me. I’ve never felt comfortable with so many staff members around, but I guess I’ll have to get used to it. The Devereauxs employ at least twenty people at their residence, ranging from cleaners, cooks and drivers to security personnel. My dad and I had a housekeeper who came over every day, but that can’t be compared to this. The Devereauxs have an entire quarter just for their staff to live in.
I follow the girl to the dining room where the rest are already waiting. Much to my annoyance, Lucy is in the seat I usually sit in. I smile politely as I take the seat opposite Daniel instead. Dominic looks at me apologetically and then smiles at Lucy, his entire face lighting up. It looks like I was the only one who thought we might’ve had a moment before I got married. It’s better this way, anyway. I eat my dinner quietly as Lucy and Dominic chat and laugh. Daniel glances at his phone as he eats, reading the news as usual.
“Have you unpacked, my dear?” Mary asks.
I nod and smile at her. “Yes, thank you for having me.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is your home as much as it is the boys’. It always has been, but even more so now.”
Lucy sits up and looks at me, anger flashing through her eyes. “You’re staying here? How long?”
I nod, unfazed. “A couple of weeks at least. I don’t really want to be alone right now.”
I don’t bother to tell her about my marriage to Daniel. We’ve already informed everyone we’d like to keep it a secret, so I doubt Dominic will tell her. He’d never let his older brother down like that. He might be okay breaking my trust, but he’d never break Daniel’s.
I’m surprised to see a flash of insecurity in her eyes. She starts to cling to Dominic and feeds him bites of her food. Just looking at them makes me feel uncomfortable, and it’s clear Mary feels the same way. Daniel glances at them, looking amused, and resumes eating in silence.
I excuse myself as quickly as possible and walk back to my room feeling dejected. I hate seeing Lucy and Dominic together and I hate knowing it’ll never be me with him.
I sit down on my bed and grab the photo of my dad from the nightstand. There’s a letter next to it that wasn’t there when I left the room. I frown when I realise that my dad’s wax seal is on it. I pick it up with shaking hands.
I can’t help but wonder what he was thinking, asking me to marry Daniel. The age difference between us is too large and my heart has always belonged to Dominic. My dad knew that.
I wish I could ask him what was on his mind, what game he’s playing. I wish I could argue with him, but more than that, I wish I could just see him one more time.
I carefully open the letter, tears falling from my eyes as I recognise my father’s handwriting.
My beloved Alyssa,
If you’re reading this letter, then unfortunately, that means I’m no longer here and I’ve had to leave you behind. It also means you’ve chosen to honour my wishes and married Daniel. I wish I could’ve been the one to walk you down the aisle. I have no doubt you looked beautiful, and I wish I’d been there for this important occasion.
I know you’re angry, princess. I know you’d like to argue with me, and I know you can’t understand my reasoning. But please trust me when I say I’m doing this because I love you.
Please know that it’s not because I don’t believe you can run the company in my stead. I know you can, and one day you will. I might not be there to see it happen, but rest assured that I left this world knowing you’d get there one day.
I know I’ve already asked a lot of you, but please allow me to ask you one more thing. Give your marriage with Daniel an honest chance. Don’t keep him at a distance and don’t avoid him. Let him in, Alyssa. He’s not just an excellent business partner. I truly believe he’d be an excellent husband to you as well. You might not see it now, but one day you’ll understand.
My greatest accomplishment in this life is and always has been you. I know you’ll continue to make me proud and I’ll be watching over you as you conquer the world.
I love you, baby girl
Daddy
Tears stream down my face as I clutch the letter to my chest. I lie back on my bed as a sob escapes my lips, my heart shattering. For the first time since my dad passed away, I fall apart. I cry until I’ve got no tears left and stare up at the ceiling. Eventually, I drag myself out of bed and into my bathroom. I’m still wearing the dress I got married in and my mascara runs in ugly lines down my face. I look like a mess and I feel even worse.
The shower helps me feel better, but not by much. Not even my favourite silk nightgown helps to lift my spirits. I settle into bed, praying I’ll be able to fall asleep without memories of my dad assailing me.
God must have heard me and decided to punish me for my lack of faith, because as my head hits my pillow the sound of a girl moaning fills my ears. I freeze in disbelief, whatever was left of my heart shattering beyond repair. Dominic is in his room with Lucy. His bed and mine share a wall, and though the walls are thick, they aren’t soundproof. He knows I’m in this room. He knows I’ll hear them if they’re too loud. How could he do this to me?
More tears run down my face and I sniff, trying my best to keep them at bay. I’m heartbroken. It feels like I’ve lost everything within a couple of weeks.
My bedroom door opens suddenly, and I sit up in surprise. Daniel is leaning against the door wearing nothing but long sleeping bottoms. His eyes find mine and he sighs.
“I knew you’d be crying,” he says, his voice soft.
He walks up to me and gets into my bed. I’m surprised, but welcome the comfort he’s offering me. He takes me in his arms and shifts so my head is resting on his chest. I sniff and he carefully wipes away the tears that won’t stop falling.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“It’s not your fault.”
He sighs and tenses. “I was the one who put the letter there. Vincent asked me to give it to you after the wedding, but maybe I should’ve… I don’t know. Maybe I should’ve told him to do it himself, maybe I should’ve given it to you personally. Maybe I should’ve just thrown that girl out so you wouldn’t have to listen to this shit.”
I snuggle into him and shake my head. “It’s not your fault, Daniel,” I repeat. I listen to his heartbeat and my tears slowly abate. When is the last time Daniel hugged me? It must’ve been years ago. He spoiled me rotten when I was a child, but things changed when I got older. He started to treat me differently and slowly but surely, we grew apart.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Daniel kisses the top of my head like he used to when I was a child. “Anytime, sweetheart.”
