Sunlight slowly crept through the tall window, falling across Ethan Carter's face.
For a moment, he didn't move.
The soft mattress beneath him felt unfamiliar, far more comfortable than the bed he used to sleep in. The room smelled faintly of fresh linen and polished wood.
Then the memories of yesterday returned.
The rain.
The mansion.
Daniel Hayes.
And most importantly… Lena.
Ethan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.
"So it wasn't a dream," he murmured quietly.
He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, looking around the large room again. Everything still felt strange, like he was staying in someone else's life instead of his own.
After taking a quick shower and changing into clean clothes, Ethan stepped out of his room.
The hallway was quiet.
As he walked down the staircase, the smell of breakfast drifted from the dining room.
His stomach growled slightly.
He hadn't eaten much the night before.
When Ethan entered the dining room, he saw Daniel Hayes already sitting at the table, reading something on a tablet while sipping coffee.
"Good morning," Daniel said warmly when he noticed Ethan.
"Good morning, sir."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"I told you yesterday, you don't need to call me that."
Ethan nodded, still unsure what to call him instead.
A housemaid placed a plate of food in front of Ethan—eggs, toast, and fruit.
"Thank you," he said politely.
Just as Ethan picked up his fork, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
He didn't need to look to know who it was.
Lena Hayes walked into the dining room.
Her long hair was tied loosely behind her head, and she wore a simple white shirt with black jeans. Even dressed casually, she looked effortlessly confident.
But the moment her eyes landed on Ethan, her expression darkened slightly.
"Oh," she said flatly. "You're still here."
Daniel sighed.
"Lena."
She ignored him and took a seat across the table.
A maid placed breakfast in front of her.
For a few seconds, silence filled the room.
Ethan focused on his food, pretending not to notice her staring.
Finally, Lena spoke again.
"So," she said casually, though her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "How long is he staying?"
Daniel put his tablet down.
"Ethan will be living here from now on."
Lena raised an eyebrow.
"Forever?"
"For as long as he needs," Daniel replied calmly.
Lena let out a quiet laugh.
"That's generous."
Ethan placed his fork down.
"I don't plan to be a burden," he said quietly.
Lena looked at him again, studying his face.
"You already are."
"Lena," Daniel warned.
But she simply shrugged.
"What? I'm just being honest."
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"You suddenly bring a stranger into our house and expect me to act like everything is normal?"
"He's not a stranger," Daniel replied firmly. "He's the son of my best friend."
"And that makes him my problem?"
The tension in the room grew thicker.
Ethan stood up slowly.
"It's okay," he said.
Both of them looked at him.
"I can eat later."
He picked up his plate and carried it toward the kitchen before either of them could respond.
As he stepped into the hallway, he heard Daniel's voice behind him.
"You didn't need to do that."
But Ethan simply shook his head.
"It's fine."
He walked outside through the back door, stepping into the large garden behind the mansion.
The morning air felt cool and refreshing.
Ethan sat on a stone bench beneath a tall tree.
He stared at the ground quietly.
He had expected things to be awkward.
But he hadn't expected Lena to hate him this much.
"Great start," he muttered to himself.
Just as he was about to stand up, he heard footsteps behind him.
Ethan turned slightly.
Lena stood a few feet away.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she sighed.
"You didn't have to leave."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you wanted me gone."
She hesitated.
"That's not what I meant."
He gave a small smile.
"You literally said I was a burden."
Lena looked away briefly.
"Well… you kind of are."
Ethan laughed softly.
At least she was honest.
She glanced back at him.
"You're not mad?"
"Should I be?"
"Most people would be."
Ethan shrugged.
"I've had worse mornings."
For a moment, Lena studied him carefully, as if trying to understand him.
Then she spoke again.
"My father feels responsible for you."
"I know."
"He promised your dad he would look after you."
Ethan nodded slowly.
"That's what he told me."
Lena kicked a small stone on the ground.
"I just don't like surprises."
"That makes two of us," Ethan said.
The corners of her lips twitched slightly, almost forming a smile.
Almost.
But she quickly hid it.
"Don't misunderstand," she added quickly. "I'm still not happy you're here."
"Noted."
Another moment of silence passed between them.
Then Lena suddenly asked, "Do you plan to stay forever?"
Ethan looked up at the sky.
"I don't know."
His voice was quieter now.
"I'm still figuring things out."
Something about the way he said it made Lena pause.
For the first time, the irritation in her eyes softened slightly.
Just a little.
"Well," she said, turning away.
"You'd better get used to this house."
Ethan tilted his head.
"Why?"
Because she already began walking back toward the mansion.
She stopped briefly at the door and glanced back at him.
"Because if you're going to live here…"
Her voice carried a hint of challenge.
"You'll have to survive living with me first."
Then she disappeared inside.
Ethan stared at the door for a few seconds before laughing quietly.
"Survive, huh?"
Something told him life in this mansion was about to become very interesting.
And this morning argument with Lena Hayes…
Was only the beginning.