Chapter 6 - THE INVITATION TO THE VOSS MANSION|
Clare was discharged from the hospital twelve days after the attack.
The doctors warned her that recovery would take time. She needed follow-up appointments, careful monitoring, and help with daily activities until her strength returned.
She intended to return to work as soon as possible.
Adrien intended to stop her.
Their disagreement began in the hospital parking garage.
“You cannot go back to a restaurant where the manager tried to blame you for being stabbed,” Adrien said.
“I need income.”
“I'll cover your expenses.”
“No.”
“Clare—”
“No, Adrien. I appreciate what you've done, but I will not become financially dependent on you.”
He looked genuinely frustrated.
“I'm trying to help.”
“And I'm trying to remain a person who can make her own decisions.”
He exhaled slowly.
“What would you accept?”
She considered the question.
“Help finding a safer job. Nothing more.”
Adrien nodded.
“Done.”
She gave him a warning look.
“Don't use your connections to frighten another employer into hiring me.”
“I wasn't planning to.”
“Adrien.”
“Fine. I'll provide a list of legitimate openings, and you can apply like everyone else.”
Clare smiled.
“Thank you.”
He looked so relieved that she nearly laughed.
Then Maya approached with an unexpected request.
“Lily wants to see you.”
Clare looked toward the hospital entrance.
“Of course. She doesn't have to come here. I can meet her somewhere.”
“She wants to visit you at home.”
Clare hesitated.
Her apartment was small, the paint was peeling, and the heating system made a terrible noise whenever the temperature dropped. She had never invited wealthy people into her life because she knew how quickly embarrassment could turn into pity.
Adrien noticed her expression.
“She doesn't care about your apartment.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know my sister.”
Clare looked at him.
“Then ask her to meet me somewhere neutral.”
Lily arrived an hour later, carrying flowers and a paper bag filled with pastries.
The moment she saw Clare, her eyes filled with tears.
“You saved my life.”
Clare shook her head.
“I helped you.”
“You got hurt because of me.”
“I got hurt because someone chose to attack you. That's not your fault.”
Lily sat beside her.
“I keep remembering the knife. Every time I close my eyes, I see it.”
Clare reached for her hand.
“That's a normal reaction after something frightening. It may take time before you feel safe again.”
“Does it ever stop?”
“Sometimes the memory stays, but it becomes less powerful. You learn that you're allowed to feel safe again.”
Lily wiped her eyes.
“Will you help me?”
Clare smiled.
“Of course.”
Adrien watched from the doorway.
He had arranged expensive therapists, private security, and a temporary retreat outside the city. Lily had rejected all three.
But she had accepted Clare's offer to sit beside her and talk.
That evening, Lily made a proposal.
“I want you and Noah to stay with us while you recover.”
Clare immediately shook her head.
“That's kind, but we can't.”
“Why not?”
“Because your family has enemies, and I don't want Noah caught in the middle.”
Adrien stepped forward.
“Your apartment is not secure, and the man who attacked Lily may have accomplices.”
“Then help us find a safer apartment.”
“We can do that.”
“Without making me a prisoner?”
“Without making you a prisoner.”
Clare studied him.
“And I pay my own expenses.”
Adrien started to object.
She raised an eyebrow.
He stopped.
“Your expenses will be your responsibility. I'll cover the security upgrades to the apartment, if you agree.”
Clare considered the offer.
Finally, she nodded.
“Temporary. Until the police establish that the threat is over.”
Lily hugged her.
“Thank you.”
Clare laughed softly.
“You haven't even asked Noah whether he wants to move.”
When they told him, Noah asked only one question.
“Does the mansion have a library?”
Adrien looked at him.
“Several.”
“And a swimming pool?”
“Yes.”
Noah thought for a moment.
“Then I suppose we should inspect the place.”
For the first time in months, Clare saw her brother smile without worrying about the next medical bill.
The following afternoon, they arrived at the Voss mansion.
It stood behind iron gates, surrounded by gardens and security cameras. The interior was beautiful, but Clare immediately noticed that the corridors were too quiet.
There were no family photographs in the main hallway. No shoes scattered by the entrance. No ordinary signs of people living together.
The mansion looked expensive.
It also looked lonely.
Lily led Noah toward the library while Maya showed Clare the guest suite.
At the doorway, Clare turned toward Adrien.
“Why is there only one photograph of your family?”
He glanced at the empty walls.
“Because photographs give people something to take from you.”
Clare looked at him sadly.
“Or something to remember.”
For several seconds, he had no answer.
May you like
Then he looked toward the library, where Lily and Noah were laughing over a book.
Perhaps, for the first time in years, he began to wonder whether his carefully protected home had become another kind of prison.
