Sallie's POV
The Noah house had plenty of guest rooms, but most sat neglected and dusty.
Only one room in the far corner of the first floor was livable—the old maid's quarters that nobody had bothered to spruce up.
Kevin peered inside without stepping through the doorway. "You'll crash here tonight. Tomorrow, Mom will get someone to prepare a proper room for you..."
I missed half of his rambling explanation. My eyes were already scanning the space, taking in every detail.
Tiny—barely enough room for a bed, nightstand, and wardrobe.
But no rotting floorboards or standing water. No moldy mattress or flickering bulbs. The bed sat just a half-step from the door.
After years of sleeping in hell, this felt like luxury.
When Kevin said, "Sorry it's so cramped. Don't hold it against Jill..." I shook my head.
"I don't mind," I said, meaning every word. "This room is perfect. Thank you, Mr. Noah."
Kevin stopped mid-sentence, and I saw relief wash over his face. He seemed genuinely pleased by my response.
"Get some sleep," he said. "Tomorrow I'll bring you to see Grandpa. He's been asking about you. He..."
He reached out like he used to, wanting to ruffle my hair. But I jerked back hard, shoving his hand away as I stumbled backward.
His hand cracked against the door with a sharp bang. Pain twisted his features, anger flashing hot. "Sallie, what the—"
But when he looked up and saw my face, he went dead still.
I was flattened against the wall, terror flooding my eyes along with raw defensiveness—like a cornered animal ready to strike.
Then I dropped my gaze. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to..."
My voice trembled. My hands knotted together. My whole body went rigid, like what Kevin had seen might've been a trick of the light.
He stood frozen, something heavy settling in his chest. The pain in his hand disappeared completely. Words failed him.
Sallie really was different.
After a long silence, he mumbled, "Get some rest," and walked away.
I didn't breathe easy until I heard the door click shut.
The second Kevin had raised his hand, I was back at St. Chaim Reform Academy—seeing those other hands reaching for me. Hands gripping rocks, branches, and leather straps.
My face went white. Then instinct kicked in, and I started searching the room.
Under the bed, I found a pen—no clue how it got there. I pulled off the cap and gripped it like a weapon.
Then I flicked on every light and curled up in the far corner of the bed, pressing my spine hard against the wall. Only that position gave me a sliver of safety.
I clutched the pen to my chest and lay down facing the door. If someone came in, I'd see them immediately.
The bright lights banished every shadow in the room—but nothing could touch the darkness buried deep inside me as I huddled in that corner.
*****
At dawn, the villa's staff started their morning routines. The first clatter of dishes jolted me awake.
I stared at the bright, unfamiliar room for several minutes before remembering I wasn't at St. Chaim's anymore.
I had finally escaped that nightmare.
I knew I wasn't wanted here, so I got up early and slipped into the kitchen. While helping the cook, I quietly grabbed breakfast.
The Noahs ate light, balanced meals with fancy presentation, so there were always scraps left over.
I wasn't choosy. After getting the cook's okay, I ate the scraps for breakfast—even the cherry tomato slices that had dropped on the counter went down.
I was starving. My last meal had been half a slice of bread I'd earned with a beating recently. I hadn't tasted fresh, hot food like this in ages.
Watching me shovel food down like a machine, the cook's eyes softened with pity.
He plated some spaghetti and added a lopsided fried egg he was about to throw out. "Ms. Isabelle, eat this instead."
I swallowed what was in my mouth and took the plate with both hands, gratitude flooding through me.
"Thank you."
I wasn't actually that hungry anymore. After years of one meal a day, my stomach had shrunk and couldn't hold much.
But I'd learned to finish every bite I got. If I didn't, someone might steal it, and who knew when the next meal would come.
Only by eating everything now did I have a better shot at surviving until the next one.
I cleaned the entire plate of spaghetti, not leaving a drop of sauce. I hadn't been full in years—I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to eat until I was stuffed.
I touched my full stomach and felt like I was dreaming.
When I was starving and thought I might die, I used to dream about mountains of fresh, delicious food—enough to make me completely full.
"What are you, some kind of animal?" Harvey's sharp voice cut through my thoughts. The smile died on my face instantly.
I looked at Harvey standing in the doorway, his expression dark, and instinctively tried to hide what I was holding.
But then I realized it was just an empty plate—no one here would fight me for food—so I stood there, uncertain.
Harvey's face grew even darker. "Did you forget how much I spent on etiquette lessons for you? Thank God you're not my real daughter. All those years of training, and you still can't measure up to Jill after such a short time."
I kept my head down and quietly took his criticism and disgust.
I used to fight back when Harvey said I wasn't as good as Jill, used to try everything to prove him wrong. But now I knew exactly where I stood.
I had stolen years of wealth and love that belonged to Jill. To the Noahs, of course I could never compare to Jill—their real flesh and blood.
Harvey's frown deepened. "Unbelievable that you forgot everything I taught you. Don't even think about eating at the table anymore. You're revolting to watch!"
He snorted coldly and turned away, like even looking at me was too much.
The cook shot me a sympathetic glance, sighed quietly, and hurried out with the prepared breakfast.
I stared at the empty plate in my hands. My expression stayed neutral, completely unaffected by Harvey's cruel words. I'd heard worse. Compared to those, this was nothing.
Since Harvey didn't want to see me, I stayed in the kitchen, silently cleaning while listening to the laughter and conversation drifting from the living room.
I didn't venture out until everyone had finished eating.
The moment I appeared, the laughter in the living room cut off abruptly. Everyone froze for a beat. It was like they'd just remembered I was living in the house now.