A Place That’s Not Home

Hannah stepped out of the car, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. Adrian's mansion was enormous—modern, cold, and imposing, with towering glass windows and pristine, sleek architecture. It felt less like a home and more like a palace, one she didn't belong in. The front doors opened, and a middle-aged woman with a warm, motherly demeanor approached her.

"Welcome, miss," the woman said with a kind smile. "You're so beautiful! My name is Julie, and I'm the housemaid here. It's lovely to finally meet you."

Edward, Adrian's assistant, nodded toward Julie. "Julie, this is Mrs. Ashford. Please take care of her and ensure she has everything she needs."

Julie beamed at Hannah. "Oh, I'm sure you must be tired after the long day. Please, let me know if you need anything at all."

Hannah gave a polite smile, still feeling out of place. "Thank you."

Edward turned to Hannah one last time. "Call me if you need anything, ma'am," he said before leaving, his parting words hanging in the air.

Julie, ever-attentive, brought Hannah a glass of freshly squeezed juice. "You must be thirsty after all the stress today," she insisted, holding the glass out.

Hannah politely refused at first, but Julie's persistence won out. "You should try to relax a little. Adrian has always been so thoughtful. He made sure everything was prepared just for you. He's such a good man," Julie continued, her voice filled with admiration for her employer.

Hannah remained silent, forcing a small sip of the juice, but inside, her mind was restless. "Can I go to my room?" she asked, needing a moment alone.

"Of course," Julie said, her tone chipper as she led Hannah up the grand staircase. They arrived at a large room that looked like it had been designed with care. It was decorated in a minimalist, luxurious style that screamed of Adrian's personal taste—sleek furniture, muted tones, and not a thing out of place.

"This is your room now," Julie said, pushing the door open wider. "I'll bring up your things in just a moment."

Hannah nodded, trying to suppress the heaviness in her chest as she entered the room. Julie disappeared briefly, returning with a few of Hannah's personal belongings in hand.

Trying to shake off the unsettling feeling of being so out of place, Hannah quickly changed into something more comfortable—a simple cotton dress.

But the vastness of the room, with its grandeur and perfectly arranged décor, felt suffocating. It wasn't hers. None of this was hers. She felt like a guest in a life she hadn't asked for.

Her eyes drifted toward the large wardrobe on one side of the room. Drawn to it for reasons she couldn't explain, she hesitantly approached and opened the doors, revealing a collection of expensive suits and shirts. They were all impeccably arranged, each piece bearing the mark of luxury brands she had only seen in magazines. The wardrobe was undoubtedly Adrian's—filled with tailored jackets, silk ties, and shoes that looked like they belonged on the red carpet.

As she browsed through the wardrobe, a sinking feeling grew inside her. There was no space for her, no corner of this room that felt like it belonged to her. She was simply another object, placed into Adrian's world. Where do I fit in this?

Needing to put her things away, she walked toward the adjoining dressing area, hoping to carve out some space for herself. However, upon entering, she was met with the same realization—Adrian's presence filled every corner. The wardrobes, shelves, and drawers were packed with his belongings. Designer suits, shoes, watches, and personal items crowded the space. Not a single inch seemed to be reserved for her.

Frustration bubbled up as she tried to find a spot to place her few belongings, but there was none. It was as if Adrian hadn't considered her existence beyond the marriage contract, as if she was supposed to mold herself into the life he had already built for himself, without ever making room for her own.

She moved a few items, her hand brushing against a stack of files on one of the shelves. In the process, something slipped out and fell to the floor. Curious, she bent down to pick it up, only to discover that the file contained photos. Photos of her.

Her heart stopped.

The photos were of her from different points in her life—some from years ago, some more recent. She flipped through the file, finding detailed reports, documents, and information about her life that she had never shared with anyone.

Adrian had been keeping tabs on her. All this time, he had been watching her.

Fury and betrayal washed over her as the realization hit. He's been monitoring me, tracking my every move… She shoved the file back into its place, her chest tightening as her emotions swirled out of control.

Hannah stormed out of the dressing area and into the bedroom. Needing comfort, she frantically searched through her things until she found her stepfather's photograph. Clutching it to her chest, she sank onto the bed, tears streaming down her face.

"I wish you were here with me, Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what to do... I feel so lost."

With the weight of the day bearing down on her, exhaustion took over, and Hannah curled up on the bed, still holding her stepfather's photo close as sleep finally claimed her.

Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian's meeting had finally concluded. As he left the boardroom, his mind wandered back to the mansion—to Hannah. The thought of her being in his home, in her room, brought him a rare sense of peace. I can't believe she's finally here, he thought, a small smile playing on his lips. He felt strangely content, happier than he had been in a long time.

Before heading back, Adrian called his personal designer and ordered a special dress for Hannah to wear the next day. His parents were coming to visit, and everything had to be perfect.