Soren almost always tells me, however curtly, when he’s leaving the estate. The fact that he didn’t this time sits strangely in my stomach.
“Yep,” Selina says cheerfully. “Probably putting a bullet in someone’s brain.”
Lorraine shoots her a mild look but doesn’t correct her. “Anyway, we all get a card. Has to be made and approved by Soren himself.”
I nod slowly. Of course, nothing here is truly legal in the way normal people understand it. Soren’s legitimate businesses… like the chain of luxury car dealerships… might cover some things, but someone like Lorraine, who’s “just” the housekeeper, could never explain her salary on paper.
Selina reaches into her pocket. “Before Armen left, he slid this into my pocket.”
She pulls out a very small, neatly folded envelope. My full name is scrawled across the front in Soren’s familiar, sharp handwriting.
My stomach twists. “I shouldn’t open this…” I whisper, turning the envelope over in my hands. “This isn’t mine… you’re all going to get into trouble…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Selina says lightly. “He’s not going to fire me, Armen, or Lorraine. Not when all we’rereallydoing is letting you have a nice, safe day out with moneyhe’sprovided for you.”
I hesitate for another long second, then carefully tear the envelope open without damaging it. Inside is a sleek black credit card. My name is printed on it in crisp white letters.
Selina snorts with amusement. “Oh my god, he’s unofficially claimed you.”
I stare harder at the card and feel my face pale. “Why wouldn’t he just put my last name…? It says…Sinclair.”
Lorraine’s voice is soft and kind. “I think it suits you,Christopher Sinclair.”
Selina laughs again. “Trust me, there’ll be a good reason. Now then, Kit Sinclair, let’s go spend some money.”
A tiny, surprised laugh escapes me despite everything. “Do you even know how much is on this?”
“Oh, trust me…” Selina winks. “There’splenty.”
I glance around my cramped little room, at the uncomfortable single bed that’s been my safe space for two years. “I’d like a new bed.”
Selina blinks, genuinely surprised. “Really?”
I nod shyly, cheeks warming. “It’s kinda uncomfortable.”
“The first thing you think of is something youneed, not something you want?” She shakes her head, grinning. “Oh my god, Iknowyou have a personality somewhere in there, Kit.”
Lorraine just smiles softly, warm and knowing, as the three of us leave my room together and start down the hallway. For the first time in a very long time, the estate doesn’t feel quite so suffocating.
???
I walk through the enormous supermarket feeling completely out of place, my jeans and oversized hoodie making me the most casually dressed person in the entire building. This isn’t like any store I’ve ever been to before;it feels more like a members-only warehouse hidden inside a massive, sleek building, with everything from fresh produce to high-end furniture spread out under bright lights. The staff at the entrance greeted Lorraine like an old friend, smiling warmly and chatting about bulk deals and seasonal bargains. She explained cheerfully that this is where she comes for all the estate’s produce because the prices are better when you buy in large quantities.
The whole time we’ve been inside, I haven’t let go of Selina’s hand once. I know I must look like a scared little lamb clinging to her, but she doesn’t seem to mind at all. She just squeezes my fingers gently every now and then, keeping me close as we move through the wide aisles.
An elderly lady with perfectly styled silver hair and a shopping trolley full of flowers suddenly approaches us, her face lighting up with a warm, grandmotherly smile.
She looks between Selina and me, clasping her hands together. “Oh, what a lovely young couple you two make! So sweet, it warms my heart.”
My eyes go wide and I freeze, heat flooding my cheeks. I can’t speak. The words are stuck somewhere deep in my throat; it feels like I’ve completely forgotten how to socialise with normal people after two years of living in Soren’s world, where everyone is intimidating and every conversation feels dangerous. I just stand here, embarrassed and staring at the floor.
Selina bursts out laughing, bright and easy. “That’s so kind of you! Actually, he’s my little brother. He’s a bit shy and doesn’t speak much.”
The lady nods understandingly, still smiling. “Well, aren’t you two just adorable. Enjoy your shopping, dears.”
As soon as she walks away, I let out a tiny breath I didn’t realise I was holding. Selina just grins and gives my hand another squeeze.
We eventually make our way over to the furniture section. Selina swings our joined hands lightly and says, “Let’s get the boring stuff over with first.”
