Walking out of the room and into the hallway that stretched into a dark line of never-ending pain and memories, Caius felt his senses dragging him back to those days. He had no power, no voice to scream and tell them to stop treating him that way. He did what he should have done a long time ago. But why...
There was no one in the hallways. His anger flared, and he pulled a marble statue down to its ruin, kicking it and shooting the nearest vase into shatters.
Far away from where he was, Gideon and Odette heard a loud noise. She knew instantly it was a gunshot. Soon her ears caught the sound of tension—people rushing. The child next to her, who had been enjoying her cooking, stopped and drew close to her.
"What's happening?" She stood up, feeling Gideon cling to her. She saw a familiar fear in his eyes, chilling her to the bone. Toby rushed in and bowed. His expression did not look good.
"It's Master Constantine..." He hesitated, trying to find the words. "He's angry."
Angry? Why would he make such noise when he was angry? How angry was he—and why?
Odette hugged Gideon tightly. Suddenly, they heard shouting outside.
"Young master, you can't go in there like that!"
"They will fear you!"
"Master, you shouldn't hurt them!"
Gideon began to whimper, and time seemed to rush as Toby looked toward the door that was now shaking. Odette held her son close, her chest pounding. Would he come here and hurt them? Worse... would he hurt Gideon?
The door shook with a loud bang.
Toby stared at Odette and nodded.
He was here.
Odette stuttered, "S-s-stay outside. I'll come."
Without wasting another second, the door flew open, and Caius stood at the entrance—eyes bloodshot, half of his face and neck splattered with dried blood. At the sight, Gideon started to cry and bury his head in Odette's chest. Caius watched as Toby bowed and, surprisingly, knelt—a silent plea not to hurt them both.
His dry chuckle added fear to their hearts. Am I that scary? His eyes started to water. I am, aren't I?
The one who laid waste to his entire bloodline... all the masters they had served for years, killed in one night. All the children who were to inherit this doomed family—murdered in cold blood. His father burned and stabbed until no remains were left—by his own bare hands.
Odette felt a chill run up her spine. He walked in and she shouted, "Wait!" She looked at Gideon and spoke. "Toby..." The old man looked up and stood. "Take him to his playpen."
"Mama..." Gideon cried, shaking his head, but she forced a painful smile and kissed his forehead. "Mama will come soon, okay?" Her eyes turned to Caius, who was breathing heavily. "You see Baba?" she said softly, pointing at him. "He's hurt, and I'll help him, okay?"
"Help him?" Gideon stopped crying. She nodded. "Remember what I told you? When there's blood, it means they're hurt. So we should help them, no?"
Caius expected them to run or beg for mercy before he said a single word. He was the master, yes—but a monster to them. They never saw him as human, and he thought it was the same for her. It must be. She never liked living with him. He did not understand these sudden, overwhelming feelings—he wanted to figure them out, and until he could, he wanted her by his side.
Odette stood up as Toby carried Gideon out. The door closed. She was now alone with a man raging like a feral beast within.
"You sure you want to stay with me alone in this room?" Caius snickered, mocking her.
"Why are you here anyway?" Her knees trembled, but for her son's sake—and everyone else's—she had to stand her ground.
Caius searched her face; she was terrified. "I just..."
Wanted to see you. I felt... lonely.
"Do you shoot at everything whenever you get mad?" Her sharp voice cut through his thoughts. He stared at her defiant eyes. "Do you barge into your brother's room and scare him like this often?"
He was insane to think anyone could ever understand.
Odette knew she was angering him more—but what else could she say? It was the truth.
"I wanted to see you."
Her face, which had been turned away, froze and met his gaze.
Caius began breathing harder, staggering back, dropping the gun. Looking around in a daze, he muttered, "I wanted to see you, and... just seeing you is good. You know, I—"
"There's nothing between us." Her words were sharp as a knife.
"Nothing... Absolutely no relationship or connection between us that gives you the right to come and see me whenever you feel bad," Odette said firmly.
The words dragged him into a bottomless pit. His heart dropped, his mind went blank.
She saw him chuckle through teary eyes, hands clenched into fists as he looked up, clearing his throat. He was trying not to react, not to lose control.
"I'm sorry." For the first time, those words left his mouth. "I'll leave then."
Caius felt like the world was laughing at him, pointing at the joke he had become. He was alone. He was always alone.
Odette watched, relief slowly coursing through her veins as he walked out, leaving the door open. She staggered back and sat on the nearby couch. All the fear piled in her chest rushed out in shaky breaths as she covered her face with her hands and rubbed her eyes clear.
When would she ever return to her world?
When morning came, she was resting with her son safely in her arms again. After Caius left, he never returned. There were no more sounds, and the residence was peaceful once more.
What surprised Odette most was how her new friend Nathaniel was growing on her. Whenever she cooked in the kitchen, he would occasionally show up. He was a year or two younger than her, and like Gideon, he loved her baked goods—the only difference was that he was an adult.
Odette found herself talking more with him. He was a great listener, though neither of them ever asked where the other came from. Just his company in the kitchen, the occasional playing with Gideon while Odette read, and the feeling of having one person to talk to without fearing for her life—it all felt good. Most importantly, the stranger who had become her friend brought news from the outside world. She was thrilled to hear about life beyond the Constantine residence.
"I wonder whether they're looking for you, Ette," Nathaniel said, lounging on a chair near the washer while she loaded the laundry. "Don't you want to know what they're doing—your family?"
Odette felt a pang in her chest. "Of course I do." Her eyes dimmed. "I want to go back."
Nathaniel had grown fond of her ever since they met. Maybe coming here to listen to Caius's nonsense wasn't so bad after all—not if it meant seeing her after meetings.
"Maybe... you could put that life behind you and start a new one?" His eyes searched hers, longing for a yes.
She shook her head. "I want my simple and comfortable life back, you know." She looked at him with a thirst for freedom. His heart dropped, but he didn't show it. Smiling was easier when he was with her.
"I know." He admired her bravery, making sure she never got hurt by Caius—his cursed cousin. "Just know..."
She noticed the seriousness in his voice and met his gaze.
"I'll be right behind you," he said.
Odette furrowed her brows. "What does that mean?"
Nathaniel smiled. "Whenever you want, I'm one call away."
"I don't have a phone, remember?" she chuckled, sighing.
"I'm one thought away, then. Just think of me, and I'll appear in front of you. Hahaha."
The days went on like that for her—the mood always lightened when he arrived. However, it did not take long for the master of the house to hear of this.