As soon as James left for work, the house felt emptier. Charlotte sighed, leaning against the door after watching his car disappear down the long driveway. She had gotten so used to having him around that the silence felt almost too loud.
She wandered back inside, unsure of what to do with herself. For so long, her life had been controlled—by her stepmother, her stepsisters, and even the forced marriage. But now, for the first time, she had freedom.
And she intended to enjoy it.
A Day of Self-Care
Charlotte headed to the kitchen, deciding to bake something. She wasn't an expert, but she had seen James sneak sweets more than once, so she figured a surprise treat wouldn't hurt.
After a few minor mishaps (including almost dropping a bowl of flour), she finally managed to bake a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies. She smiled proudly as she placed them on a cooling rack.
With her treat prepared, she moved to the living room and curled up on the couch with a book. It had been ages since she had read for fun. As she got lost in the pages, she found herself genuinely relaxing, forgetting her loneliness for a while.
Dancing Like No One's Watching
After a couple of chapters, Charlotte stretched and decided to put on some music. A soft melody played through the speakers, and before she knew it, she was swaying to the rhythm.
One song led to another, and soon she was spinning, twirling around the living room, laughing at herself.
James would have teased her if he saw her now.
The thought made her smile.
A Simple Happiness
By the time the afternoon rolled around, Charlotte realized she hadn't been as lonely as she first thought. She had spent the day doing things she enjoyed, things that made her feel… free.
She sat on the balcony, sipping tea, as the sun began to set. A gentle breeze brushed against her skin, and she sighed contentedly.
James would be home soon. And for the first time, she felt like she had truly made this house her home.