ELIANA'S POV
The mansion wasn't just a house—it was proof that she didn't belong in his universe.
The black SUV pulled through gates that probably cost more than Eliana's entire education. She pressed her face against the window, watching mansions slide past like something from a movie. Swimming pools. Tennis courts. Fountains that served no purpose except showing off wealth.
First time in Ashford Heights? the driver asked. His first words in thirty minutes.
That obvious?
He almost smiled. You'll get used to it.
Eliana doubted that. How did anyone get used to this much money existing while people like her parents worked seventy-hour weeks just to keep the lights on?
The SUV stopped in front of a house that made her stomach drop. White columns. Massive windows. A front door tall enough for giants. This wasn't a home—it was a monument to excess.
We're here, the driver said unnecessarily.
Eliana grabbed her duffel bag—the same one she'd used for three years of gym class, held together with duct tape and hope—and stepped out onto a driveway made of actual marble.
The front door opened before she reached it.
Carter stood in the entrance looking stiff and formal, like he'd rehearsed this moment. You came.
You're paying me ten thousand dollars. Of course I came.
Right. Business. Something flickered across his face. Disappointment? Come in.
Eliana stepped inside and immediately wanted to run back to the SUV.
The entryway was massive. Chandeliers hung overhead. The floor gleamed like ice. A staircase curved upward like something from a fairy tale, all polished wood and perfect angles.
Your room is in the east wing, Carter said, voice carefully neutral. Lily's is next door. There's a bathroom connecting your rooms, and
House rules first, Eliana interrupted. You mentioned those last night.
His jaw tightened. Don't touch anything expensive. Don't go in my parents' offices—they're locked anyway. Don't answer the door if anyone comes by. And at school
We're not friends. We barely know each other. I'm just the hired help. Eliana's voice came out harder than she meant. Got it.
That's not what I— Carter stopped himself. Look, this arrangement is already complicated. I'm just trying to make it easier.
For who? You or me?
Before he could answer, a small voice called from upstairs: Carter! Is she here? Is my new friend here?
Eliana looked up.
A little girl appeared at the top of the staircase—bald head catching the chandelier light, oxygen tube trailing behind her like a ribbon, wearing a pink princess dress that swallowed her tiny frame.
Lily Ashford.
She looked so much smaller than in the photos. So much more fragile. But when she saw Eliana, her whole face transformed into the brightest smile Eliana had ever seen.
You came! You really came! Lily started down the stairs too fast.
Lily, careful— Carter moved, but Eliana was faster.
She dropped her bag and rushed to the staircase, meeting Lily halfway. Hey, easy. No running on stairs, remember?
Lily grabbed Eliana's hands, breathing hard from the small effort. You remember me! From the fundraiser! You said my wheelchair had cool wheels!
I did say that. They had sparkles.
They did! Lily bounced on her toes—barely, weakly, but full of joy anyway. You're even prettier than Carter said! He said you were really smart and really nice and really—
Lily, Carter warned, face going red.
What? You did say that! Lily turned back to Eliana, eyes wide with hope. Do you like cookies? Can you braid my wig? Will you read me stories? Do you know any princess stories? Can we watch movies? Do you like unicorns?
The questions tumbled out so fast Eliana's head spun. But underneath the excitement, she saw it—the desperate need for someone, anyone, to treat her like a normal kid instead of a dying one.
Eliana's carefully built walls cracked.
I love cookies, she said gently. And I'm pretty good at braiding. And I know tons of princess stories.
Lily threw her arms around Eliana's waist—carefully, like she knew her own bones were fragile—and buried her face in Eliana's stomach. I'm so glad you're here. Carter tries, but he's not good at girl stuff. Last time he tried to braid my wig, he made it look like a bird's nest.
It was my first time! Carter protested, but he was smiling. Actually smiling. Soft and real and nothing like the perfect mask he wore at school.
Can I show you my room? Lily pulled back, grabbing Eliana's hand. I have so many books! And dolls! And Carter got me new art supplies but I don't know how to use them and—
Lily, let Eliana settle in first, Carter said. She just got here.
It's okay. Eliana squeezed Lily's hand. I'd love to see your room.
The joy on Lily's face was worth every second of doubt.
Four hours later, Eliana finally escaped to her own room.
Lily had shown her every single toy, book, and art supply she owned. They'd read three princess stories, started a puzzle, and made a list of movies to watch together. The whole time, Lily chattered non-stop—about her favorite foods, her dreams of being a dancer, her wishes that she could go to real school like other kids.
She never once mentioned being sick.
Carter had appeared once to bring them dinner on a tray—homemade pasta that he'd clearly stressed over, judging by the flour still dusted on his shirt. He'd hovered in the doorway looking awkward until Lily invited him to join their puzzle.
For twenty minutes, they'd sat together on Lily's bedroom floor—Eliana, Carter, and the little girl between them—fitting pieces together and laughing when Lily kept trying to force wrong pieces into place.
It had felt dangerously normal. Like a family.
Then Carter's phone had rung. He'd glanced at the screen, his expression shuttering closed. I have to take this.
He'd disappeared, and the warmth had gone with him.
Now Eliana stood in her assigned bedroom and tried to process where she was.
The room was bigger than her family's entire apartment. A massive bed with more pillows than one person needed. A private bathroom with a tub the size of a small pool. Windows overlooking gardens she couldn't even see the end of.
This was temporary. Three months. Just business.
But Lily's laughter still echoed in her ears, and something in Eliana's chest felt dangerously warm.
She unpacked her pathetic duffel bag—three pairs of jeans, some t-shirts, a hoodie, toiletries that looked cheap next to the expensive soap already in the bathroom. Everything she owned fit in two dresser drawers.
Her phone buzzed. Jordy checking in for the third time today.
Jordy:You still alive in rich people land?
Eliana:Barely. This place is insane.
Jordy:How's the little sister?
Eliana:Perfect. Too perfect. I'm already attached and it's been four hours.
Jordy:And the golden boy?
Eliana's fingers hovered over the keyboard. How did she explain Carter? The stiff formality when he greeted her. The soft smile when Lily hugged him. The way he'd looked proud when Lily called Eliana her friend. The careful distance he maintained like he was afraid to get too close.
Eliana:Complicated.
Jordy:That's what I was afraid of. Be careful, Ellie. Rich boys are dangerous.
Before Eliana could respond, voices drifted through her open window.
She moved closer and looked down into the backyard.
Carter stood by the pool, phone pressed to his ear. Even from here, she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he kept running his free hand through his hair.
No, Sienna, you can't come over, he said, voice tight with frustration.
Eliana knew she should close the window. Give him privacy. Stop eavesdropping.
She didn't move.
Because Lily needs stability, Carter continued. She just met Eliana. I'm not going to parade you through here and confuse her... Stop being paranoid. It's not like that... She's just the caretaker, okay? That's all.
Just the caretaker. The words shouldn't sting, but they did.
Fine, Carter snapped. Fine! I'll see you at school tomorrow. We'll talk then... No, you can't come to practice... Sienna, I'm hanging up now.
He ended the call and immediately threw his phone onto a pool chair.
Then he sat on the pool's edge, dropped his head into his hands, and just—stopped. Like someone had cut his strings.
Eliana had never seen him like this. Vulnerable. Exhausted. Nothing like the golden boy who smiled for the cameras and scored winning touchdowns.
He sat there for a long time, completely still, and Eliana realized: he was alone. Truly, completely alone. Taking care of a dying sister in a mansion that felt more like a museum than a home, with parents who sent money instead of love.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, making her jump.
Unknown Number:Enjoy your first night in MY boyfriend's house, scholarship whale. Hope the sheets are comfy. Monday at school will be VERY interesting. Sweet dreams! -S
Eliana's blood went cold.
Sienna knew. Of course she knew. She probably had someone following Carter, or hacked his calendar, or
Another text came through.
Unknown Number:PS - Your parents' bakery inspection went well today, didn't it? Oh wait... that's NEXT week. Unless someone makes an anonymous call. Accidents happen. xoxo
The threat was crystal clear.
Eliana looked back out the window. Carter hadn't moved from the pool's edge. His shoulders were hunched like he was carrying the weight of the world, and maybe he was.
She should tell him about Sienna's threats. Warn him that his ex-girlfriend was planning something.
But what could he do? He was barely holding himself together.
Through the wall, Lily's monitor beeped softly—the regular check-in beep that meant everything was okay.
For now, everything was okay.
Eliana closed the window, drew the curtains, and climbed into the most comfortable bed she'd ever felt in her life.
Tomorrow, she'd face Sienna at school. Tomorrow, she'd dodge whispers and stares and viral video screenshots. Tomorrow, she'd pretend Carter Ashford was a stranger.
Tonight, she was safe in a mansion that didn't feel like home.
But as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't stop thinking about the boy sitting alone by the pool, and wondering what mask he was wearing—and what he was hiding underneath.