Millionaire Marriage

The Family Estate

Chapter 4: The Family Estate

The rest of the day passed in a slow blur. The sprawling Welles estate was grand and beautiful, but it felt cold and unfamiliar, like the finely curated setting of someone else's life. Catherine wandered through the marble corridors and ornate rooms, trying to shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled over her since her conversation with Nicholas that morning.

By mid-afternoon, she found herself drawn to the estate's gardens. It was a stunning day—blue skies and a gentle breeze rustling through the towering trees. The gardens were meticulously maintained, the kind of place where everything was perfectly arranged, from the rose bushes to the stone paths winding through the flower beds. Yet, even here, surrounded by beauty, Catherine couldn't escape the hollowness that had been growing inside her since the wedding.

As she walked along one of the paths, she spotted an older woman tending to a patch of lavender near the far edge of the garden. Her gray hair was neatly tied back, and she moved with an easy grace that came with years of familiarity. Catherine hesitated for a moment, then made her way toward her.

The woman straightened up as she approached, wiping her hands on her apron before offering Catherine a kind smile. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Welles. I didn't expect to see you out here."

Catherine returned the smile, though it felt small. "I needed some fresh air. You're the head gardener, right?"

"That's right," the woman said, nodding. "Name's Margaret. I've been taking care of this garden for over thirty years now. It's my pride and joy."

Catherine's gaze swept over the lush landscape. "It's beautiful. You've done a wonderful job."

Margaret smiled warmly, clearly appreciative of the compliment. "Thank you, ma'am. The Welles family has always loved their gardens. Mrs. Welles—the elder Mrs. Welles—was especially fond of these lavender bushes. She used to spend hours out here."

Catherine's interest piqued. She hadn't heard much about Nicholas's family, particularly his mother. Nicholas rarely spoke of them, and there was an air of mystery surrounding the Welles legacy that made Catherine feel like an outsider even more.

"Did she live here long?" Catherine asked, careful not to sound too prying.

Margaret's smile faded slightly, and her hands fidgeted with the edge of her apron. "She passed away some years ago. A lovely woman, but... well, let's just say the Welles family has always been a little complicated."

Catherine nodded, sensing there was more to the story, but she didn't press the issue. She already felt the weight of the estate's history, like there were invisible forces at work behind every perfectly manicured hedge and marble column. It was a family built on power, wealth, and tradition—things Catherine had only begun to understand.

"Thank you, Margaret," Catherine said, offering a polite smile. "I appreciate the company."

"Of course, ma'am," Margaret replied, her expression softening again. "If you ever want to learn more about the gardens—or the estate—just let me know. There's a lot of history in this place."

Catherine nodded and continued her walk through the gardens, her mind spinning with thoughts of the Welles family legacy and the mystery surrounding it. Nicholas's past was a puzzle she had barely begun to unravel. There were pieces missing—things she didn't know, things that felt deliberately hidden from her.

As she neared the entrance to the house, she spotted a familiar figure coming toward her. It was Henry, the family's long-time butler. He had always been polite, but there was something about his presence that reminded Catherine of a sentry—a gatekeeper for the secrets that lingered in the halls of the Welles mansion.

"Mrs. Welles," Henry greeted her with a formal nod. "I hope the gardens are to your liking."

"They're beautiful, thank you," Catherine replied. "I've been meaning to ask—how long have you worked for the Welles family?"

"Nearly forty years, ma'am," Henry said without hesitation. "I've seen much change here over the years, but the estate has always been a place of prestige."

Catherine's curiosity got the better of her. "I'm still learning about the family. Nicholas doesn't talk about his parents much."

Henry's expression didn't change, but there was a brief flicker of something in his eyes—something Catherine couldn't quite place. "The Welles family has a long and complicated history, ma'am. Mr. Welles's parents were... private people. The estate has always been a sanctuary of sorts."

"Private?" Catherine repeated, sensing there was more beneath the surface.

Henry gave a slight nod. "Yes. His mother was very protective of the family, especially after his father passed. Mr. Welles took over the family business shortly after her death."

Catherine paused, absorbing this new information. She had always known Nicholas came from a powerful family, but it was clear there were layers to the Welles legacy that she hadn't yet uncovered. Nicholas had inherited not only wealth and status, but also the weight of expectation and perhaps even secrets buried within the walls of the mansion.

"Thank you, Henry," she said finally. "I appreciate the insight."

"Of course, Mrs. Welles," he replied, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

Catherine stood there for a moment, staring after him, her mind racing with new questions. There was something about this place—the mansion, the gardens, the people who had served the Welles family for decades—that made her feel like she was on the outside of something much bigger than she realized. Nicholas had built a wall around himself, and it wasn't just to keep her out. It felt like there was a whole history behind those walls that she wasn't privy to.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the estate, Catherine made her way back inside. The cool marble floors greeted her as she entered the mansion, the grand foyer as imposing as ever. She glanced up the staircase, her gaze lingering on the second floor where Nicholas's office was located.

Without thinking, she began to climb the stairs, her steps quiet but deliberate. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but the pull toward Nicholas's office was undeniable. She needed to know more—about him, about the family, about the life she had married into.

When she reached the door to his office, she hesitated for a moment. It was closed, and she had never been inside before. Nicholas guarded his personal space as carefully as he guarded his emotions, but something told her that behind this door, she might find answers.

Slowly, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The room was just as she had imagined—immaculate, modern, and meticulously organized. Dark leather chairs, a sleek desk, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes. But it wasn't the decor that caught her attention. It was the large painting that hung on the wall behind Nicholas's desk.

It was a portrait of a woman—beautiful, elegant, with the same piercing eyes as Nicholas. Catherine's breath caught in her throat. She didn't need to ask who she was. This was Nicholas's mother.

And as Catherine stared into the eyes of the woman in the portrait, she couldn't shake the feeling that this woman, this house, and this family held secrets that would soon come to light.