Chapter 127 04

ELSIE

The car pulled through the gates and I felt my breath catch in my throat as the long driveway stretched ahead, lined with ancient oak trees whose branches formed a canopy overhead. 

Beyond them the main house stood against the night sky a sprawling estate of stone and glass that seemed to glow from within.

The car slowed to a stop at the front entrance with two security guards stationed at the door dressed dressed in dark suits with their posture rigid and their eyes sharp. 

The car stopped the driver came around and opened my door.

"Miss Vale," he said offering his hand.

I stepped out with my legs shaky. I was still dressed in the gown I went to the gala with and my makeup? Ruined, I look like a complete mess.

The guards at the door looked at me disbelief before hurriedly bowing.

"Miss Vale," they say in unison "Welcome home.”

I only nod making my way inside the front door, the door slipping open before I reached with a familiar man in a perfectly tailored suit walked down the steps.

“El.”

I forced a smile despite myself. “Andrew.”

He stopped in front of me and gave a small bow before his expression softened

“Welcome home El. It’s good to have you back.”

I looked at him for a moment.

Andrew had been my grandfather’s assistant for as long as I could remember. When I was younger, I used to sneak into his office and steal chocolates from his desk while he pretended not to notice.

“You’re still working for Grandpa?”

He smiled. “Someone has to keep him from terrifying everyone.”

I chuckled. “That sounds like a full-time job.”

“It is.” He says as we made our way inside the house.

“Martha has been waiting for you.” He says 

My chest tightened. “Martha?”

Before he could answer she walked out from the kitchen.

“El?”

She looked older than I remembered her hair more silver now, but her face was exactly the same face I remembered from childhood.

She rushed towards me with her eyes filled with tears. “Oh my girl.”

She had been the housekeeper for as long as I could remember before my parents died, before my grandfather became my guardian, before everything changed.

She pulled me into a fierce hug her arms wrapping around me like a blanket.

"Oh my darling girl," she murmured against my hair. "Oh my precious, precious girl."

I broke down the tears I’d been fighting came hot, silent, unstoppable. Martha held me tighter, her hand rubbing circles on my back.

“I’ve missed you so much, I’m glad you came back” she adds. 

“I’ll excuse you two” Andrew says before walking away.

Martha pulled away and cupped my cheeks. “Look at you, you’ve changed so much” 

My lips quivered, “I’m sorry Martha… I’m so sorry” 

“Hush now," she whispered. "Hush. You're home and safe… that’s all that matters”

I nodded as she wiped off my tears she took my hand. "Come I'll run you a bath you look like you need it."

She began leading me toward the stairs but I stopped.

"Martha," I said. "Where is grandpa?"

She paused something flickered across her face—something I couldn't quite read.

"He's in his study," she said carefully.

"I need to see him, I need to talk to him, i need to apologize"

“Elsie," Martha interrupted gently. "It's best if you rest for tonight and see him tomorrow."

"But—"

"He's not in a good mood," she said with her voice careful. "The scandal is all over the news, he’s.. he's been very angry."

I swallowed. "I know Martha, I know he’s angry and disappointed… that’s why I need— "

Martha cut me off, “You know your grandfather Elsie, you know how he is when he’s not in the right state of mind… he’s very upset mostly at himself. He blames himself for not stopping it sooner." She softened. "He loves you Elsie, you’re the only family he has left so no matter what you did you’ll always be his El… it’s just that he's not ready to see you yet. He needs time to... process."

I nodded slowly understood. 

He tried to stop me, if only I had stayed back, if only I hadn’t chosen Adrian over my own family then maybe I wouldn’t have wasted seven years of my life with the wrong person.

"I understand," I whispered.

Martha squeezed my hand. "Don’t think too much about it my child, he’ll come around. But for tonight let me take care of you. Let me be the one to fuss over you."

I forced a smile. “Thank you Martha” 

“Don’t mention it. I'm going to run that bath now," she said. "And when you're done, I'm going to bring you something to eat and then you're going to get some goodnight sleep… okay?”

“Okay”