The Unexpected Journey

Chapter 22

The Unexpected Journey

EMELIA

I tiptoed out of bed, glancing over at Keiden, who was still sprawled out, fast asleep. His breathing was steady, completely undisturbed, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at how effortlessly calm he seemed. How does he do that? But with his reminder from last night echoing in my mind, I knew I had to get ready quickly. We were supposed to leave first thing, even if “first thing” seemed to only apply to me.

I closed the bathroom door quietly behind me and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face, trying to wake myself up. I brushed my teeth and began my shower, savoring the feeling of the hot water on my skin. I let it run over my shoulders, hoping it would calm the strange nerves building up inside of me. Today’s the day. Whatever Keiden’s planning, it starts now.

By the time I stepped out, Keiden was gone, and the room was empty. I wrapped myself in a towel, glancing around. A simple but elegant outfit was laid out on the bed—a soft white blouse with delicate embroidery and well-fitted black pants. It was tasteful and comfortable, yet stylish. But as I slipped it on, I couldn’t help but wonder about the women who owned these clothes. How does he have all of this here?

I decided to let my hair down today, running a brush through it until it was smooth. After a quick look in the mirror, I tied a low, loose braid to one side, with a few tendrils falling free. Giving myself one last look, I squared my shoulders and walked out, feeling ready—almost.

The house was strangely quiet as I made my way to the sitting room. I glanced around but saw no sign of Keiden. I let out a small sigh and settled into one of the chairs, figuring I’d just wait until he was ready.

A few minutes later, I heard his footsteps coming down the stairs. He was dressed in a crisp, dark button-down, sleeves rolled up slightly, making him look both relaxed and somehow intimidating. I stood, surprised. “But… I didn’t see you pass by to go to the bathroom,” I stammered, frowning. “When did you—”

He looked down at me, one eyebrow raised. “Maybe you’re blind, Emelia,” he replied coolly, his voice biting. “Or maybe all those years of being pushed around by your stepsister and stepmother did something to your eyesight.”

His words felt like a slap, stinging more than I cared to admit. Wasn’t this the same man who’d been kind to me last night, even wrapped his arm around me this morning? I swallowed, feeling a pang of hurt that was deeper than I expected.

“I—I’m sorry,” I managed, not knowing what else to say. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just didn’t see you, that’s all.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” he sneered. “It’s your eyes that aren’t working, not mine.”

I clenched my fists, the apology dying on my lips. What’s with him today? I knew there was no use fighting back, so I stayed quiet, trying not to let his words get to me. But the memories of last night flashed back, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Weren’t you the same person who—who held me when I woke up? Or was that my ‘bad eyesight’ too?”

He let out a sharp laugh, a sound so cold it sent a chill down my spine. “If you’re obsessed with me, Emelia, there are better ways to say it,” he drawled, his eyes gleaming with a mockery that made me feel smaller than ever. “Don’t accuse me of things just because you’re looking for attention.”

His words felt like a punch to the gut. Shame washed over me, hot and humiliating, and I wished I could take back everything I’d just said. I turned away, swallowing the lump in my throat, trying to hide how hurt I felt. He didn’t wait for a response, simply gave me a nod and said, “Let’s go.”

I followed him out without another word, forcing myself to keep my head down, feeling more like a shadow than a person. He led me to a sleek, black limousine waiting outside the house, its dark, polished surface gleaming in the morning light. My jaw dropped slightly. I knew he had money—more than I could even imagine—but seeing this felt surreal.

He caught my expression and scoffed. “I’m assuming you’re smart enough to figure out how to get in,” he said sharply.

I blinked, quickly pulling open the door and slipping inside, saying nothing. Who is this version of him, and what happened to the person from last night? I wanted to ask if I’d done something to upset him, but every instinct warned me to stay quiet.

Keiden slid in beside me, settling in with ease as if he hadn’t just sliced me with words. I turned my gaze to the window, watching the world outside flash by as the limousine began to move, the scenery shifting from familiar streets to the open countryside. Birds soared across the sky, the soft blue of the morning blending with the distant mountains. It was beautiful, but somehow, I felt like I was too weighed down to fully appreciate it.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension, but my mind kept churning with questions. Why was he so cold? What did I do wrong? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t bring myself to face that hostility again.

After a while, the soft rhythm of the drive and the rolling countryside began to lull me, and I felt my eyelids grow heavy. I rested my head against the seat, feeling the pull of sleep, the quiet comfort of the scenery offering a strange sense of peace.

The next thing I knew was something cold rushing all over me.

I gasped as freezing water slammed me awake. Spluttering, I sat up, my mind reeling. The last thing I remembered was being in the car, lulled into sleep by exhaustion. Now I was surrounded by sneering faces, their eyes glinting with malice.".