Page 37 of Chandelier Enthralled
“We’ll figure something out.”
“You slay the monster, but its maker remains.”
“You think it was Jewel who encouraged Roper?”
He looked away, as though not wanting to encourage me to dwell on the past. He moved to the edge of the bed and put on his shoes.
“Let’s let some daylight in.” Atticus stood and walked over to the window, lifting the blinds. “Take a shower. I’ll make breakfast.”
Light flooded the room suddenly, and I shielded my eyes from the offensive glare.
His tall, broad-shouldered silhouette was framed in the window and the image of him standing there was burned into my retinas.
Atticus didn’t move, he just stood there like a statue.
And then he bolted out of the room at breakneck speed, his shoes thundering down the stairs as he went.
“Atti?” I called after him.
Had he been staring at the swimming pool?
I hesitated, then pushed off the bed, raising a hand to shield my eyes from the blinding sunlight that streamed through the window.
A naked woman floated in the water face-down, still and pale, her blue hair fanning out like delicate tendrils of ink unraveling, each strand moving with hypnotic grace.
Amelia!
I saw Atticus burst into view, sprinting towards the pool.
I flew out of the room and down the stairs.
At 8:00 A.M., I went searching for Cameron to see if he wanted to have breakfast.
I heard him on the phone behind his office door. Not wanting to disturb him, I headed off.
Their kitchen was the dreamy space I’d always wanted for myself—super sleek, ultra-functional, and full of high-end vibes. His minimalist cabinets had no handles, and the quartz countertops were stunning. The chic appliances were voice activated—which made me laugh each time I argued with one of them.
What stood out to me was the chessboard on the central island, hinting that, even when he was relaxing, his brain was firing on all cylinders.
I’d always been proud of my independence, but staying here for a few weeks was the practical thing to do. It would be fun searching for a new home, but when I moved out, I would miss Cameron’s company. There was always a bright side to living alone, I told myself. I’d be able to live without my family scrutinizing my every move.
And, yesterday, I’d landed the job of my dreams.
Only…
It was moments like this when I felt the urge to call Hugo to share my joy.
But I couldn’t.
Not anymore.
And that hurt way more than I expected.
I was giving him his own treatment—when he’d controlled me with his silence. Anyway, I knew what he’d say to ruin the moment. That my family name had gotten me the job. That I was privileged and did not understand how to make it on my own. That I was a “nepo baby.”
Just as Jewel Hadley had hinted at yesterday during my interview.
Hugo’s words had cut deep, stripping away the pride I’d felt in my achievements, no matter how hard I’d earned them on my own.
