Chapter 13
Miles had already stepped out of the car. Standing just outile, he gave me a soft smile. “Eve, we’re here
I climbed out and froze, stunned by the view before me.
This place was remote yet breathtaking.
We were perched on a hillside, overlooking a vast expanse of deep blue coastline. The setting; sun spilled brilliant streaks of color across the horizon, painting the sky and sea in hues of gold and crimson. Behind us, a lush forest of vibrant green stretched endlessly, framing the scenery like a dream.
Nestled within the trees was a vintage estate, its architecture timeless and elegant.
Ordinarily, such an isolated house might have exuded an eile vibe, but this one didn’t.
Instead, it brimmed with life, its stone walls draped in blooming roses–lush, extravagant, and impossibly
beautiful.
Clusters of red, blush pink, soft yellow, and creamy white roses climbed in vibrant waves, creating what seemed like an ocean of blossoms,
1 gasped, excitement bubbling up as I recognized each bloom.
“James Galway! Claire Austin! Lady of Shalott!” I twirled around, breathless with awe, pointing at one stunning rose after another. “And Gertrude Jekyll! Oh my God…”
I circled the rose–covered walls, completely entranced.
Memories of rose varieties sprang unbidden to mind, names spilling from my lips.
Miles leaned casually against the car, one hand in his pocket, watching me with a soft smile as the breeze carried the rustling whispers of leaves and petals.
The floral aroma enveloped me, heady and sweet, almost dizzying in its richness.
I was on the verge of tears from sheer joy.
Planting a wall of roses had always been my teenage dream. But my mother’s pollen allergy and my own lack of time had made it impossible.
Now, here it was a vision of perfection I never thought I’d see.
I ran to Miles, my excitement barely contained. “Miles, how did you manage to grow these?”
He glanced at the flowers, his voice nonchalant. “I hired gardeners. I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to do it myself.”
“No, you do.” I shook my head vehemently. “You had to have told them exactly what to plant.
“Oh?” His tone held a hint of amusement. “And what makes you think that?”
I couldn’t explain it, only that I felt it in my bones. “I just know! You must have told them—it’s so you.”
Miles regarded me with a bemused smile, indulgent in the face of my stubborn certainty.
“Come inside,” he said finally, his voice warm. “It’s getting chilly.”
As he turned toward the house, his hand moved to rest lightly over my shoulder–not quite touching, just a reassuring presence.
Chapter 1.3
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Just as we were about to step through the door, a young girl in a pink dress stepped into our path, clearly displeased.
“Miles! Why did you bring this crazy woman home? She’s Evelyn White!”
The girl glared at me, rolling her eyes dramatically.
I didn’t recognize her, but from her expression, It was clear she know and despised me.
Miles cast a brief glance at her and responded with a calm, Hmm.”
He didn’t break stride, leading me through the entrance as though she wasn’t there.
Seeing herself completely ignored, the girl stomped her foot in frustration. “Miles! Are you even listening to me? She’s Evelyn White! Aren’t you embarrassed to bring her here?”
Miles stopped, his perfectly shaped brows furrowing as lie boked back at her. “Kira, who taught you to speak so rudely to a guest?”
The girl, apparently Kira Smith, faltered but quickly recovered with defiance. “Miles, what kind of guest is she? She’s a disgrace, a terrible woman…
Feeling humiliated, I took a step back, trying to fade into the background.
Miles‘ expression cooled, his tone sharp. “Kira, apologize.
Kira looked stunned. “Miles, you want me to apologize to her? Did I hear that right?
Miles repeated, “Apologize.”
This time, Kira’s face flushed with anger as the realization dawned that Miles wasn’t joking.
“But you just came back. You don’t know how terrible her reputation is–she’s-”
“Apologize!”
Miles‘ third command carried an air of authority so powerful it sent a chill down my spine.
Kira, clearly intimidated, stopped arguing. Her gaze bore into me as she ground out, “I’m… sorry!”
Her eyes reddened with frustration as she spun on her heels and stormed away.
I stood there awkwardly, unsure what to say, before turning to Miles. “Miles… maybe I should just leave.‘
Before he could object, I quickly added, “I can call a car. I have money.”
Miles‘ expression darkened. “Leave? And go where? Back to Julian?”
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Chapter 14:
