: My Frac

rie'

ckground, replaced by a rising sense of dread. I followed the tall man-at least six foot two-with broad s

ence that had settled around us. I glanced back. Jake's mother stood on the balcony, her eyes fixed on m

it open. Blinding sunlight spilled in, for

" I murmure

a good day, Miss," he said,

weight in my chest. The mansion loomed behind me-beautiful, yes, but now ominous. As I walked d

ent, so private, that Jake co

sh air hit me like a wave, but I couldn't shake the unease that clung to my

s, I thought, I'll fin

I couldn't ignore this any longer. I needed to s

-

e's

weeks

. My room felt like a cage. It had been three weeks sinc

by c

s accident. She'd called me home urgently,

ared speak freely around here, sat beside me. He s

tly. "You've been cooped up in this ho

t's Valerie," I said. "She hasn't called, has

bably focused on exams. You disappeared witho

this marriage to her friend's daughter-Jill." The name left a bitter taste in my mouth. "She says Valerie isn't in our class, says marryin

. "A wedding? Man, you haven't even spoken to

to her. Clear the air. I love her, Seb. And I

h her for you. But Jake, you have to be prepared. S

t I need to face that. I need to fight for

hen tapped away on his phone. "A

a sliver of hope s

of the mansion seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a sense of foreboding; I th

contrast to the silence that had fallen between us. I glanced back at Jake's mother, w

revealing a bright sunlight that seemed almost blinding after the dimly l

d, feeling a sense of a

ive, " Have a good day, miss" he said