CHAPTER 4
WILLOW
I didn't move, nor did they.
I wanted to run away but someone, my gut told me that would just make my life worse.
They kept their gaze on each other like they were daring the other to make a move, to pull the pin from the grenade.
"See you, old man." He turned and walked in the opposite direction, without sparing me a glance.
Good! I didn't trust myself to stare into those eyes.
Silence settled once again.
"Why did you leave your room?"
I choked on air. "I… I… I wanted to get water," I lied.
He strode closer. Still, he was right in front of me. I took a step back, hating the close proximity.
I never liked staying close to people; it freaked me out.
'Just like it freaked you out to rest in your stepbrother's arms?'
Shut it!
"There are rules in this mansion you must abide by." His icy voice cut through my thoughts. "Firstly, you aren't meant to wander around the hall."
"I…"
"No excuse will be pardoned." His gaze dropped to my hands. "What is that?"
I looked down. "My phone."
He stared at it for a second more before he returned his gaze to mine.
"Go to sleep, Willow."
I hummed and walked off. Still, I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me.
Silently, I sneaked into my room, onto my bed, and draped the sheets over my face.
I wanted to scream my lungs out. Sadly, screaming won't remove the camera in my room. It won't undo everything: me here, the wedding.
I swallowed it down and shut my eyes, ready to get some sleep.
I needed it, especially if I was planning to stay here, in this dark mansion where freedom is a luxury you can't afford.
I soaked in the comfort, hoping for sleep, yet the memories of a certain green-eyed man who sent my body shuddering clouded my mind. His strong arms which steadied me, his hot breath that sent goosebumps to my skin.
He was different. I could feel it.
I pushed the thoughts away.
It came back.
I'm screwed.
After hours of wrestling with my subconscious, I gave in, letting his honeyed voice lure me to sleep like a lullaby.
I was double screwed.
But I could think of the consequences later, I needed sleep.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"How was your night?"
I just nodded as a response but my mother flashed me a warm smile.
How badly I wanted to talk to her but…
I shifted my gaze to Stepfather, who kept his gaze on the wine he gripped.
We were in the dining room, ready for breakfast. This time I didn't sit near Mom. I sat on the fourth chair, leaving two spaces between Mom and me, and four from him.
There was something wrong in this house, and I needed to figure it out. For now, distance was the best.
The maid served him, then us. I cared less about food, but there was a CCTV camera in my room.
I needed to talk to Mum.
"Begin." He spoke.
Amidst my thoughts, the door pulled open, and he walked in.
My heart flew to my throat.
Dressed in a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves that displayed the ink that ran through his arms, and black jeans, he walked in.
"You are late."
Asher sank into the chair at the other end. "I was busy. At least I came."
"I will not tolerate you disobeying my rules Asher."
"I would keep that in mind the next time I arrive late," He said wryly while the maid served him.
"Speaking on rules, honey." Mother interjected. "You haven't told Willow the rules."
I stilled at the mention of my name.
Did she have to call me out when I was finally out of their focus?
Three pairs of eyes gaped at me, and I suddenly had the urge to be swallowed up by the earth.
I wasn't.
"Indeed. Willow, there are rules you need to follow. I will tell you the most important ones, and the maid will hand over a book with the rest."
A book? He wrote a whole book of his own rules.
Like a Kane constitution. Who the fuck was this guy?
"Firstly, you aren't allowed to leave this mansion without my direct permission."
"Huh?!" The words fell off my lips before I could process it.
"Secondly, friends are not allowed."
"Don't worry, Willow doesn't have any friends." Mother added, like it was something to be proud of.
"Thirdly, you aren't allowed to leave your room, only if I call you, or for dining, especially at night."
I swallowed.
"Fourth, night calls or any other form of communication are not allowed."
"Fifth, you are to be here fifteen minutes before the requested time." He gritted his teeth at Asher, who ate nonchalantly.
"Six, you are not allowed to interact with the maids. They are here to serve you and not be a friend."
"Seven..."
I stopped listening. My mind spiraled.
I stared at Mom, who had a sweet smile, at Asher, who looked totally unbothered, then at my Stepfather, who looked dead serious.
With every rule, this mansion became more of a prison than a house, a golden cage which glued me to its walls.
This wasn't home, it was a prison.
"Ten, you aren't allowed to snoop through the mansion or my things. All rooms are off-limits. The only one you can enter is mine."
That got everyone's attention.
"Since I share a room with your mom, you can come to see her, but you are not to touch anything," he said. "That would be all for now. Did you understand?"
"Yes." I didn't. I had so many questions, but none would change his old-age rules, so I tucked them in and continued meddling with my food.
"And—"
"No talking while eating." Asher remarked, shutting Stepfather up.
"What I am saying is important."
"It can wait."
"It can't!" He snapped.
Their gaze shifted to me before they slipped back on their mask of neutrality.
"As I was saying, it had slipped my mind yesterday, but—" The maid made her way towards me with a wrapped box. "Here is your welcome home gift."
"I... I... thanks." I placed it aside.
"Open it." It wasn't a plea, it was a command, one I didn't dare to disobey.
I opened it. My eyes almost shot out of their sockets.
An iPhone 17.
I snapped my gaze to him. He had a smug look.
"It's for you."
"Oh my God!" Mother gushed happily.
"I already have a phone." I muttered, unsure whether to be happy or scared.
Definitely the latter.
"I know, but you are now a Kane, you should use things as per our standard."
"Thanks." I said, knowing full well I would lock it away in the closet forever.
"Since you have a new phone, you won't need your old one. The maids must have thrown it out."
"What?"
"You heard him."
"But I liked that phone."
"I gave you a new one."
"Still, my contacts, I—"
"Seems you weren't listening." His voice dropped an octave. "No calling or any form of communication. No texting, no social media, nothing."
The reality of his wor
ds came with its force, shattering whatever hope I had.
This wasn't a mansion, it wasn't even a prison, it was a cage.
"Welcome to your hell." Mockery colored Asher's voice. "Dearest step-sister."