thirteen → jade west

Chapter 15

The grand halls of the West household were alive with a flurry of activity, a symphony of preparations that had nothing to do with the spiritual essence of Easter. Marble floors gleamed under the careful attention of the maids, while the butler oversaw the arrangement of silverware that sparkled like diamonds under the chandelier's light. Martha, ever the orchestrator of the household's grand events, directed the placement of extravagant floral arrangements that adorned every corner.

Jade leaned against the doorway, her presence almost ghost-like amidst the opulence. Her eyes traced the luxurious decor, each piece a testament to her family's wealth and status. It was a display meant for the eyes of society, a showcase of the West family's place in the echelons of old money.

She turned away, retreating to the sanctuary of her room. The door clicked shut behind her, sealing off the world of pretenses and expectations. Here, in her private domain, Jade allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. She pulled out her stuffed bunny from its hiding place, a relic of her childhood that offered a silent comfort no words could provide.

Hugging the bunny close, Jade whispered to it, "Wish we could have a real Easter, you know? Like in the books I've read. Egg hunts in the garden, chocolate bunnies that aren't just for show, and... laughter that's real, not rehearsed for guests."

The bunny, with its worn fabric and faded eyes, offered no response, but to Jade, it was a companion that understood her longing for simplicity amidst a life of complexity.

Her gaze drifted to the window, where the setting sun cast a golden glow over the manicured gardens. "It's all just for show," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "We don't believe in anything... except maybe appearances."

The irony wasn't lost on her. Easter, a time of renewal and hope in its essence, had been reduced to another event on the social calendar, an opportunity for her family to display their wealth under the guise of celebration.

Jade's heart ached for something more, something genuine. She yearned for the kind of Easter that was about family and joy, not just a carefully curated image. But in the West household, such desires were as out of place as her stuffed bunny amid the opulence.

As she snuggled the bunny closer, Jade made a silent vow. One day, she'd find a way to experience the holidays as they were meant to be, filled with warmth and genuine happiness. Until then, she'd hold on to her dreams, her music, and the small comforts that kept the hope alive within her.

*

The morning of Easter dawned bright and clear, casting a soft light through the windows of Jade's room. Today was not just any Easter; it was the day of the Easter pageant, an event that held more significance in her life than she had ever anticipated. As Jade stood in front of her mirror, the reflection staring back at her felt like a stranger's. The gown she wore was a cascade of soft pinks and purples, expertly tailored to accentuate the curves that had only recently become a part of her silhouette. It was beautiful, yet it felt like a costume, a mask she was forced to wear.

Ellen's voice, sharp and commanding, broke through her reverie. "Jade, remember, you need to be perfect today. This is your introduction to society, to potential future... acquaintances," she said, her tone laced with implications Jade was only beginning to grasp.

Jade's heart sank. She had heard of arranged marriages, of strategic alliances formed through matrimony, but the thought that she might be paraded for such purposes filled her with a deep unease. She had no desire to be someone's calculated choice for a spouse, her worth measured by her appearance and her family's status.

"I know, Mom," Jade replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She wanted to protest, to rebel against the idea of being presented like a prize, but the fear of her mother's wrath kept her silent.