The Smith Estate

Several weeks had passed since the unsettling incident with Leina at school, and while life in the Reinhardt household had resumed a semblance of normalcy, an unspoken tension still lingered. It threaded itself through their conversations, shadowed their laughter, and settled in the quiet moments between them. Leina, especially, had retreated further into herself, her usual quiet now weighted with something deeper, something unsaid.

To lift their spirits, Logan proposed a weekend getaway to the Smith estate.

"I think it'll do them good," he had said to Giselle one late evening. "A change of scenery, some time away from everything. We all need it."

Giselle had agreed. Their children were strong, but even resilience had its limits. A visit to the Smith estate promised fresh air, open space, and a semblance of peace. It would also allow Logan to catch up on business with his childhood friends, Michelle and Reginald.

As they drove through the winding countryside, Giselle stole a glance at Leina, who sat by the window, her gaze unfocused. The rhythmic hum of the car seemed to lull her into thought, her fingers absently tracing the hem of her sweater. She had always been introspective, but now, her silences carried a weight even her brothers had begun to notice.

She wasn't sure what was worse—the way her brothers had started tiptoeing around her or the way they sometimes looked at her when they thought she wasn't watching, concern flickering behind their playful teasing. It made her stomach twist. She didn't want to be fragile. She didn't want to be the reason things felt off.

When the Smith estate finally loomed before them, bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, it was a sight to behold. The sprawling grounds stretched endlessly, a patchwork of manicured gardens and dense woods. The long gravel driveway crunched beneath the tires, and the iron gates creaked open with a slow, deliberate welcome. Tall oaks flanked the entrance, their branches whispering secrets to the wind.

At the grand front doors, Henry, the ever-present butler, greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome, Mrs. Reinhardt, Mr. Reinhardt. The children are already inside. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are expecting you."

The boys tumbled out of the car, their excitement barely contained. Lester, Levy, Liam, and Louis darted off toward the gardens, eager to stretch their legs and rekindle their ongoing games. But Leina lingered. Her gaze wandered across the estate, taking in the ivy-covered walls, the ornate fountain in the courtyard, and the way the late afternoon light softened the stone facade. It was beautiful, but beauty did not ease the unease coiled within her.

Giselle, sensing her daughter's hesitation, stepped beside her. "You don't have to join them if you don't want to."

Leina turned, offering a small, tired smile. "I like the quiet."

"I know," Giselle said softly. "Whenever you're ready, we'll be inside. You know where to find us."

Leina nodded, her fingers tightening around the sleeves of her sweater. As her mother walked away, she made her way toward the gardens, each step slow, deliberate. The scent of blooming jasmine filled the air, mixing with the crisp earthiness of freshly cut grass. Birds flitted between the hedges, their melodies a stark contrast to the noise in her mind.

Inside the estate, Logan and Giselle reunited with the Smiths. Reginald, tall and formidable, greeted Logan with a firm handshake. "Logan. Giselle. It's been too long."

"Too long," Logan agreed, glancing briefly toward the window where the children played. "The kids needed this. We all did."

Michelle, poised as ever, greeted Giselle with a warm embrace. "I'm glad you're here. The children have been buzzing about this visit all week."

Giselle smiled, though it faltered slightly at the edges. "A change of scenery will do us all some good."

"Then let's make the most of it," Michelle said, gesturing toward the drawing room. "There's plenty to catch up on."

Meanwhile, outside, the children explored the vast grounds. Alexander stuck close to Lester, the two boys engrossed in talk of strategy games and upcoming chess matches. Louis and Liam tore across the lawn in an impromptu race, their laughter ringing through the air.

Leina, however, kept her distance. She watched as her brothers gravitated toward Samantha, the Smiths' youngest daughter. Samantha, bright-eyed and charming, had an effortless way of drawing people in. She laughed freely, twirled carelessly, and basked in the attention of Leina's brothers.

Leina shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't that she disliked Samantha—it was more complicated than that. There was something about the way her brothers adored Samantha that made Leina feel small. Invisible.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her sweater, a familiar tightness forming in her chest. She wasn't sure if it was jealousy, resentment, or something else entirely, but whatever it was, it made her want to disappear.

"Ugh, she's such a baby," she muttered under her breath, her arms crossing.

Samantha, unaware of Leina's growing irritation, beamed as she challenged the boys to a game. They eagerly accepted, their enthusiasm grating against Leina's nerves.

Levy appeared beside her, smirking. "Jealous much?"

Leina shot him a glare, though her lips twitched slightly. "No."

"Right," Levy drawled, ruffling her hair before jogging off to join the others.

Leina let out a quiet sigh, sinking onto a bench near the rose garden. The scent of the flowers was overwhelming, their rich fragrance pressing against her senses. She wished she could make sense of the emotions churning within her—frustration, loneliness, longing—but they tangled together in a knot too tight to unravel.

As the evening waned, the Reinhardts gathered for dinner. The dining room glowed with warmth, the air thick with the comforting aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread. Conversation ebbed and flowed, laughter punctuating the meal. Logan and Giselle sat close, their hands brushing in quiet affection. Reginald, ever the observer, arched an amused brow.

"Do you two ever stop?" he teased as Logan pressed a kiss to Giselle's temple.

Logan grinned. "You should try it sometime."

Michelle rolled her eyes. "Hopeless, both of you."

Leina, quiet amidst the chatter, watched as her brothers leaned into Samantha's stories. Despite herself, she felt the knot in her chest loosen, just a little. Maybe she didn't need to figure everything out right now. Maybe she just needed to be here.

Later that night, as Alexander wandered the halls, he paused outside his parents' room. Their voices were low, urgent.

"The incident..."

"Suspicious man..."

Alexander frowned, his heart picking up pace. He hadn't seen much of Leina that day. She had been distant, lost in thought. Now, as pieces of a larger puzzle fell into place, a realization settled over him.

So that's why she seemed so distant.

But why hadn't she told him?