New Walls,Old Fears

Wearing a pair of sunglasses, Aurora stood quietly in front of the massive mansion that would now be her home.

She still couldn't believe it.

All her life, she'd never once imagined living in a place like this. A mansion? It felt like something out of someone else's dream...not hers. Just yesterday, her mother had broken the news. And now, she was here.

Leaving Gret had never crossed her mind. She loved her hometown...the narrow streets, the smell of wet soil after rain, the small coffee shop where she graded papers. North Morsvil may have had better roads and shinier buildings, but it would never feel like home the way Gret did. Not where her mother still lived.

With a heavy sigh, she rolled her suitcase forward and climbed the steps to the front porch. She rang the doorbell, her fingers shaking just a little.

The door creaked open to reveal an elderly butler with a kind smile. His grey hair thinned at the sides, strands falling lightly over his temples.

"Good day, Miss Aurora," he greeted, bowing slightly.

"It's so good to see you, Mr. Jones." Aurora offered a warm smile in return.

"Come in," he said, stepping forward to grab her luggage.

"Let me," she insisted quickly, laughing a little. "You might fall with the weight of that bag."

Mr. Jones chuckled softly, familiar with Aurora's nature. She never liked people fussing over her. Always did things on her own...even as a child.

"Where's Aunty?" she asked as she rolled her suitcase past him, stepping inside the vast hallway of the mansion.

"Madam will be here shortly. She had a meeting today. Peter and Vivian are in their rooms," he informed her gently. "Your room is ready."

Aurora nodded wordlessly and made her way up the grand staircase.

She didn't want to disturb her cousins.

Upon entering her new room, she let go of the handle and dropped onto the neatly made bed with a sigh. It smelled like lavender.

Mr. Jones really had put effort into making it feel comfortable.

Lying on her back, Aurora stared at the ceiling as her mind wandered—inevitably—back to yesterday.

"Rora, you're moving."

Those words had sent an icy chill down her spine.

It was morning. She'd woken up from another nightmare...her usual routine. Insomnia had plagued her for years, her mind rarely resting, haunted by dreams that made her dread sleep. That day was no different.

She had dressed for work and stepped out of her room to find her mother frowning over the dishes.

"Morning, Mother," Aurora greeted softly.

Her mother stopped and turned, wiping her hands slowly.

"What's wrong?" Aurora asked, suddenly alert.

"You're moving to Stella's," came the simple reply.

Aurora's eyes widened. "Why, Mother?" she asked, stunned.

Her mother didn't say much. Just, "I think it's time you move."

It wasn't an answer, but Aurora didn't argue. She never could with her mother.

Back in the present, Aurora frowned.

Even now, she didn't understand why she had to leave.

She rose from the bed and headed into the adjoining bathroom. Aunt Stella...her mother's sister had always been kind. Years ago, after Aurora's father passed away, Stella had asked her to move in. But Aurora had refused. She loved her town too much.

Aunt Stella wasn't poor...far from it. But after her husband's betrayal, she had buried herself in work. The man had left, claiming he had fallen in love with someone else, and disappeared without a trace. Despite everything, Stella still had the mansion, the cars, the properties. She just never had closure.

After freshening up, Aurora changed into a simple blue knee-length dress and tied her wavy black hair into a loose ponytail. She sat down at the edge of the bed, lost in thought...until a soft knock pulled her back.

She opened the door to find Vivian standing there.

"Hello, Rora," the younger girl said, giving a small, practiced smile.

Vivian and Aurora were never close.

Vivian, younger by a few years, wore a printed short skirt and a sleeveless crop top. Her brown hair curled perfectly over her shoulders, red lipstick too bright for indoors. With her heels on, she looked taller than Aurora.

"Hi, Vivian," Aurora greeted, lifting a hand in a small wave.

"Heard you arrived," Vivian said, tone laced with sarcasm. "Thought I'd say hello."

"Thanks. I'll come down later...just unpacking." Aurora smiled politely, hoping she'd leave.

Vivian was always...a lot. They never got along, and their bickering was a constant headache for both their mothers.

She could already hear her mother's voice: "I never fought with Stella—why are you two always at each other's throats?"

Vivian never respected space, and Aurora valued hers deeply. That alone made them incompatible.

"Well, see you at dinner," Vivian said, waving her manicured fingers as she walked away.

Aurora quietly closed the door and exhaled in relief.

Later that evening, Aurora headed downstairs and spotted her aunt.

Aunt Stella sat on one of the dining room chairs, her short blonde curls glowing under the chandelier. She spoke quietly with Mr. Jones, who listened intently beside her.

Vivian and Peter were already seated at the dining table—Vivian scrolling through her phone, Peter staring blankly at his plate.

Peter had chestnut-brown curly hair and sharp black eyes. He looked distant, lost in thought as usual.

"Aurora," Aunt Stella called warmly.

Aurora smiled and went to sit at her place. Her food had already been served.

"We were waiting for you," her aunt said, pleased.

"How have you been?" Aurora asked softly.

"I've been well," the woman replied, gently placing an extra piece of steak onto Aurora's plate. "Eat up. Make sure to have plenty of veggies."

"Hello, cous," Peter said quietly.

He had always been the quiet one—detached, mysterious. But he was kind, and Aurora had always liked him for that.

"Sorry I didn't come up. I figured you'd be tired from your... not-so-easy journey," he said with a small smirk.

Aurora smiled faintly at his attempt to tease her.

"Rora," Aunt Stella spoke, "have you decided what you'll do here?"

"Yes, Aunt. I'll teach at the university...like I did back in Gret."

Her voice was calm, but inside, she still felt like a stranger in this new, unfamiliar world.