Chapter nine

Her new name was Zoey Scàndova.

Zoey Scandova had only just begun to adjust to her new life, and today, the house felt more like a new reality than just a place to stay.

She followed Corelle through the grand hallways, her eyes widening at the opulence. The mega mansion was a maze of polished marble floors, gleaming chandeliers, and intricate artwork hanging on every wall. The house was more like an art piece itself,a statement of wealth and exclusivity.

"Not bad, huh?" Corelle grinned, noticing Zoey's amazement.

"Not bad? This is insane!" Zoey replied, glancing up at the towering ceilings.

Corelle led her to the rooftop pergola, where they sat, the city skyline stretching out before them. They had sweet pastries and chilled drinks, and Zoey was still taking in the lavish atmosphere. "So, what's next after the house tour?" Zoey asked, curious about what kind of life awaited her in this bubble.

"Let's just say... a life of endless possibilities." Corelle winked before taking a sip from her glass.

As they made their way back, Leslie was waiting in the house library. The room smelled like rich leather-bound books and polished wood. Leslie was sitting casually on one of the plush chairs, a book resting on his lap. When he noticed Zoey, his lips curved into a subtle smile.

"Hey, Zoey," Leslie said, his tone warm, his eyes flickering with genuine interest. "You guys had a good tour?"

"Yeah, it's breathtaking," she responded, her voice soft but carrying the weight of her wonder.

"I was just about to leave for some work, but…" she hesitated before speaking up, "Would it be alright if I came over to revise my notes here with you?"

Leslie chuckled, looking amused. "Of course, I'm all for it. It'll be a good change of pace. You sure you're up for the studying part though?" His playful tone made her smile.

"I think I can handle it," she replied, feeling comfortable with him. "You always homeschooled, right?"

"Yep," Leslie leaned back in his chair, twirling his pen in his fingers. "It was different, but it gave me a lot of freedom. I didn't have to worry about a school schedule, just a personal one. Plus, all those vacation trips my parents insisted on… didn't hurt either," he added with a chuckle. "How about you? You go to a regular school?"

"Yeah, until I had to leave and start fresh here," Zoey answered, glancing at the thick stack of notes she had brought. "I'm 20, you know. Still figuring out how to juggle everything."

Leslie gave a soft nod, his gaze lingering on her with something thoughtful behind it. "I get it. I'm 23, but sometimes I feel like I still have so much to figure out myself."

They shared a moment of quiet understanding, their words connecting in ways neither expected. The easy conversation continued for a while, transitioning from school and vacations to family stories and plans for the future.

By the time dinner rolled around, Zoey was feeling more at home in the mansion than she had all week. After the meal, she retreated to a quieter space, dialing her family for another check-in. The conversation was light, almost normal, with the girls asking about Leslie and her new life in the mansion. When they finally hung up, Zoey felt a pang of longing.

It was so different now,so far removed from her life before.

Sunday morning arrived with an air of anticipation. The family priest came over for service in the grand sitting room, the sound of hymns echoing softly through the mansion. Zoey found peace in the ritual, the slow rhythm of the prayers grounding her as the day began. Breakfast followed, a quiet meal filled with soft chatter as the family shared their morning together.

As soon as breakfast ended, Zoey headed back to the library, determined to finalize her notes. The space was still serene, and she felt a small sense of focus as she dove into her work. Just as she was hitting her stride, her stylist arrived, carrying a selection of stunning dresses for her to try on.

Zoey briefly looked up, her mind momentarily pulled away from the books. "The big day's tomorrow, huh?" she murmured to herself, pushing her thoughts back into place.

By evening, the entire house seemed to settle into an almost eerie quiet. Everyone was asked to rest early for the next day's big event—the moment Zoey had been preparing for since the moment she stepped into the mansion. It was a step into the next chapter of her life, one that would come with both challenges and opportunities. But for now, she lay in her room, the weight of what was to come hanging in the air, her thoughts drifting as sleep took over.

Tomorrow, her new life would truly begin.