The next morning, Selena woke up feeling restless. The mansion, which had felt suffocating before, seemed even larger in the bright daylight. After yesterday's visit to her mother, she had a renewed sense of purpose—but today, an unfamiliar tension lingered in the air.
She spent the morning trying to occupy herself, tidying her room, and pacing the quiet hallways. The mansion was massive, and each corner seemed to hold secrets she didn't yet understand.
As she wandered near the study, she noticed the door slightly ajar. Curious, she peeked inside—and froze.
A young woman, elegant and poised, looked up from a file. Her sharp eyes met Selena's, and for a moment, neither spoke.
"Well… hello," the woman said with a soft smirk. "I don't think we've met before. You must be new."
Selena's pulse quickened. "Yes… I'm Selena. I just moved in."
The woman's smirk widened. "I'm Nina. I've known Jace since junior high. We're practically family, you could say. Nice to meet you."
Selena nodded cautiously, feeling a subtle edge in Nina's tone she couldn't quite place.
Jace Appears
Before Selena could ask more, Jace appeared behind her, as silent and imposing as ever. His eyes immediately scanned the scene.
"You shouldn't wander into places you don't belong," he said quietly, his voice cold but calm.
Nina smiled politely at him. "Of course, Jace. I was just showing the new resident around… in a way."
Jace's gaze returned to Selena. "Stay in areas assigned to you," he warned.
Selena's chest tightened, but she nodded. Noted, she thought. I can't afford to make mistakes here.
Nina's eyes lingered on Jace a little longer than necessary. Selena felt a small twinge of unease. It wasn't just the rules she had to worry about—there were other dynamics in the mansion she hadn't considered.
Once Jace had left, Nina gave Selena a faint, knowing smile before walking away. Who was she, really? Selena wondered. The encounter had been brief, but her instincts told her that Nina's presence would make living here even more complicated.
Selena spent the rest of the afternoon quietly, aware that the mansion was not just a home—it was a place full of challenges, unspoken feelings, and subtle dangers, and she had to be ready for them all.