Chapter 8

"This is far from over." Were Maria's final words to me before stomping away.

Paul shot me one last glare before walking off, his face tense. The others followed, some muttering under their breath, others casting cold glances my way.

Only Tristan lingered, standing a few feet away with his hands in his pockets, watching me.

"You should rest," Cole said, stepping closer. His voice was firm, as if he were giving an order rather than a suggestion. "It's been a long night."

I nodded, because he was right. I was exhausted. I turned to Alfred, who had stood silently during the confrontation. "Please show my family to their rooms."

"Of course, Miss Caldwell," Alfred said with a slight bow. He gestured for my mother and Chloe to follow him.

"I'm not leaving her alone with these vultures," Chloe protested, crossing her arms.

"I'll be fine, Chloe," I assured her. "Go with Mum. Get some rest."

Chloe hesitated, her eyes darting between me and Cole. Finally, she let out a huff and followed Alfred, mumbling something about calling her if I needed her.

Once they were gone, Tristan moved closer to me. Cole almost got in the way but decided to let him speak.

"The New Mistress Caldwell." Tristan began, breaking the silence. "You handled that better than I expected."

"Thanks, I guess," I replied, unsure if it was a compliment or a backhanded remark.

"You're going to need to be tougher, though," he added, his tone casual but his words sharp. "They're not going to stop trying to take this place from you."

"I'll handle it," I said firmly, though my voice betrayed a hint of doubt.

Tristan smirked. "I'm sure you will." He walked closer, his movements smooth and deliberate. "But if you ever need a… friend, you know where to find me."

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, disappearing down one of the many hallways.

Cole cleared his throat, drawing my attention. "You know he can't be trusted, Right?" he said, his voice low.

"I don't trust anyone," I replied, brushing past him. "Not yet, anyway."

---

Alfred led me to the master bedroom, and I stopped in the doorway, staring at the massive space. The room was luxurious, with high ceilings, a grand four-poster bed, and a balcony that overlooked the estate grounds. It felt overwhelming, like stepping into someone else's life.

"This was Mr. Caldwell's room," Alfred said gently. "He wanted you to have it."

I nodded, stepping inside. The bed was neatly made, and the room smelled faintly of cedar and leather. I ran my fingers over the edge of the bedpost, the weight of everything sinking in.

"Will that be all, Miss Caldwell?" Alfred asked.

"Yes, thank you," I said softly. He gave a small bow and left, closing the door behind him.

For a moment, I just stood there, unsure of what to do. The events of the night replayed in my mind—Maria's threats, Tristan's smirk, and Cole's strong presence. I sat down on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called, expecting Alfred or maybe even Chloe.

The door opened, and Cole stepped inside, his expression unreadable.

"I thought you might need this," he said, holding out a steaming cup of tea.

I took it, surprised. "Thanks."

He didn't move to leave, instead leaning against the doorframe. "You did well tonight," he said after a moment.

"Is that your professional opinion?" I asked, taking a sip of the tea. It was warm and soothing, a stark contrast to the cold tension of the night.

"It's my personal opinion," he replied, his eyes meeting mine.

I looked away, focusing on the tea. "It doesn't feel like it."

"You stood your ground," he said. "That's more than most people would've done."

I sighed, setting the cup on the bedside table. "What happens now?"

"Now, you establish yourself," Cole said simply. "This estate is yours. The staff, the assets—everything. But the family won't make it easy. You'll need to be stronger."

"I don't even know where to start," I admitted.

"Start by getting some sleep," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll go over everything—your responsibilities, the estate's affairs, and security measures."

"Security measures?"

Cole nodded. "You're a target now, Astrid. Tonight was proof of that. We need to make sure you're protected."

I shivered, the memory of the assassin flashing in my mind. "Okay."

He turned to leave but paused at the door. "If you need anything, I'll be just outside."

"Cole," I called as he stepped into the hallway.

He turned back, his dark eyes meeting mine.

"Thank you," I said softly.

He nodded once before closing the door behind him.

---

I didn't sleep much that night. Every creak of the house, every shadow in the room made me jump. I lay in the massive bed, staring at the ceiling and wondering if I'd made a mistake.

When the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, I finally got up. I stepped out onto the balcony, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. The estate grounds stretched out before me, perfectly manicured and quiet.

This was my life now.

I took a deep breath, letting the cool morning air calm my nerves. For a brief moment, everything felt still—peaceful.

Then a scream shattered the silence.

I jolted, my heart pounding as I rushed to the bedroom door. When I swung it open, I nearly ran into Cole, who was standing right outside.

Had he been there all night?

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice unsteady.

Cole's expression was unreadable, but his posture was tense. "Stay here. I'll check it out."

Another scream rang out, sharper this time.

I swallowed hard, every instinct telling me to listen to him. But standing still while something was clearly wrong? Not a chance.

The moment Cole stepped away, I followed.