His name was Nathaniel

31

After the emotional tour of the house, Lydia led Nathaniel back to the main sitting room, where his grandparents had just arrived. They stood waiting for him, their faces soft with kindness and understanding. His grandmother, a petite woman with silver hair and gentle eyes, immediately pulled him into a hug. She smelled like lavender, the scent comforting and familiar even though he had never met her before.

"Nathaniel," she said softly, pulling back to look into his eyes. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want. We want you to feel safe, loved. No matter what you decide."

His grandfather, tall and imposing but with a quiet strength, nodded in agreement. "We'll support you in whatever you choose," he added. "Whether you want to stay with us, live with your aunt Lydia, or even go back to your father. You are family, and we love you, no matter what."

Nathaniel swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the warmth and acceptance these people were offering him. It was so foreign compared to the life he had grown up with-cold, controlled, and always under the weight of expectations. He didn't know what to say, but his gratitude was palpable, and they seemed to understand.

"Thank you," he managed to say, his voice quiet but sincere. "I... I really appreciate it."

His grandmother gave him another reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "You're family, Nathaniel. That's what we're here for."

That night, after everyone had retreated to their chambers, Nathaniel lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The house was so different from the Donovan estate. The walls here were filled with history, with love, and it gave him a sense of belonging he had never known before. He should have felt at peace, but his mind was racing.

He couldn't stop thinking about Adaliya. He could still feel her hug, her kiss, and the memory of her last words echoed in his mind. She had given him a plan-a way to escape and live the life he wanted-but now, everything had changed. He wasn't sure if he could leave everything behind. Not when his family was finally here, offering him a home.

Unable to sleep, Nathaniel quietly slipped out of his room and wandered down the dark hallways of the estate. His footsteps were soft on the old wooden floors as he searched for a telephone. He knew there had to be one somewhere. He needed to hear Adaliya's voice, to tell her what had happened and to ask if she still believed in the plan. But deep down, he was afraid. Afraid that calling her might pull her into more danger, into his father's twisted world.

Finally, he found a small room tucked away near the kitchen. Inside was a desk with an old-fashioned telephone sitting on it, the rotary dial gleaming faintly in the moonlight. His heart raced as he stood before it, his hand hovering over the receiver. All he had to do was call. Her number was still fresh in his mind, and yet, he hesitated.

What if calling her put her in more danger? What if his father had people tracking his every move? What if...

"Nathaniel?" a soft voice called from behind him, startling him out of his thoughts.

He turned quickly to find a girl standing in the doorway, illuminated by the faint light coming through the window. It was Lydia's daughter,Violet , the same age as Nathaniel, with her dark hair pulled back in a loose braid. Her soft face, so similar to her mother's, seemed to read everything in his face before he could even speak.

"I saw you sneak out of your room," she said quietly, stepping closer. "What are you doing?"

Nathaniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I... I was going to call someone."

Lydia's daughter nodded, leaning against the doorframe. "The girl you love, right?"

Nathaniel blinked, surprised by how easily she said it.

"Yeah," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't know if I should. I don't want to hold her back or put her in more danger. My father... he'll stop at nothing to control me. I can't drag her into this."

Lydia's daughter gave him a sympathetic smile. "Love doesn't work like that, you know. It's not about holding someone back. It's about supporting each other, no matter what comes your way. If she loves you too, then she's already a part of this, whether you want her to be or not."

Nathaniel looked away, his heart heavy with indecision. He knew she was right, but the thought of Adaliya getting hurt because of him was unbearable.

"Do you think it's selfish for me to want to protect her by staying away?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

She shook her head. "It's not selfish to want to protect someone, Nathaniel. But it's also not fair to make that choice for her. She has the right to decide if she wants to fight alongside you."

Nathaniel sighed, conflicted. He knew deep down that she was right, but fear gripped him. After a long pause, he finally shook his head. "I can't call her. Not now. Not until I figure things out. I don't want to hurt her more than I already have."

Lydia's daughter gave him a sad but understanding nod. "I get it. But just remember, you don't have to carry all of this on your own. You've got family here now, and from what it sounds like, you've got someone who loves you out there. Don't forget that."

Nathaniel's gaze softened as he looked at her. He felt grateful for her advice, even if he wasn't ready to act on it. "Thanks," he murmured.

She smiled at him, a warm and reassuring expression. "Anytime."

As she turned to leave, Nathaniel looked back at the telephone, his fingers still itching to call. But instead, he stepped away, deciding to let Adaliya live her life without him for a little longer. He would face his father's world on his own terms and protect her in any way he could-even if it meant staying silent for now.