THE WAY WE WERE BEFORE

LLA'S

oms. Every corner I turned, I could feel some sort of void, and I felt enveloped in sadness. I had never been to a place

were properly polished, the chandeliers ca

g place I'd grown up in. This house felt like it was made

place. They were framed in simple black, which blended seamlessly with the rest of the mansion's color scheme-black, cream, and m

uttered to myself, though ev

ead here, the rules I hadn't even begun to fully understand

shing them open. I didn't know what to expect, but as soon as

bun looked up from where she was carefully polishing a

ic voice. "You must be Isabella. It's a plea

to meet you, Maria. I'm still getting used to all this..."

become familiar in time." she sa

I've seen many young women come and go. But you, I think,

ut hearing her say it made me feel a litt

voice cut through the ai

e already hiding

, brown hair and a mischievous grin plastered on her face. She was dressed in a si

with familiarity. "Ah, Rori.

ock surrender, still smiling. "Didn't mean t

heard so much about but never met. She had an energy about her that seemed to fill up the entire room, and

t you so soon." I said,

d against the counter, crossing

was more out of nervousness than ac

my arm kindly. "You two will get

lready. I'm Rori, but you can call me whatever you

d, a bit taken aba

e. Never have. Never will." Her gaze flickered toward the ceiling fo

of time for girl talk later. Right now, I'

"I think I coul

ow me, Isabella. And trust

s. The walls were adorned with contemporary artwork-abstract pieces in black, gold, and deep red that felt both modern and opulent. Every room I p

shed it open with a flourish. "Your new sanctuar

lemented the dark, sleek wood of the furniture. The bed was massive, draped in dark satin linens with intricate black accents. A soft, thick rug l

s walking into a gilded cage, a place where I wo

l you're already overthinking it. Relax. There's plenty of tim

ed, forcing a s

en turned to leave. "If you need an

garden below. The silence felt heavier now. The life I was abou

n my heart-like a s

r this. But I did

k at me in the mirror. I looked like I was ready to

om the hallway, followed by the sound of paws against marb

His coat was sleek and glossy, his piercing eyes locked onto mine with an unblinking intensity. I froz

whine, and I felt a bri

A voice called ou

the doorway with a small smile on her face.

w better than anyone that animals could often be misunder

ward the dog. Rocco sniffed my hand for a mom

long just fine." I s

's a big softie, once you get past the

at in mind."

u two to it. Don't get too attached to the

fainter down the hallway. With Rocco now calmly sitti