The black SUV rolled smoothly through tall, black gates that opened like welcoming arms. Esther stared out the window, her breath catching as the mansion came into full view, a regal structure bathed in late afternoon light, with sprawling gardens, marble pillars, and a fountain that sang quietly in the center of the circular driveway.
She barely had time to take it all in before Thomas stepped out and opened the door for her.
"Welcome to the Lewis estate, Miss Cole," he said with a small bow of his head.
Esther stepped out, her modest shoes tapping against the granite stones. The air felt different here, clean, sweet, and heavy with roses. Before she could fully register the grandeur, the tall front doors opened.
A smiling elderly woman in a crisp, cream-colored dress stepped forward . Lady Bell, Mr. Lewis elder sister and the unofficial matriarch of the house.
"Esther, am glad you decided to accept the offer " she said warmly, her arms outstretched. "Welcome home dear."
Esther hesitated, caught off guard by the kind tone, but soon accepted the hug. It had been a while since someone outside her family embraced her so gently.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Lady Bell chuckled softly.
"None of that 'ma'am' business. You'll call me Aunt Bell like everyone else here does. Now come, we've been expecting you."
Just behind her, a few staff members were already lined up, the head housekeeper Mather, a young maid, the chef, and the gardener's son, all offering polite smiles and nods. Esther nodded shyly back, suddenly aware of how small and simple she felt in her thrift-store jeans and worn-out bag.
As they walked through the grand foyer, marble floors, a chandelier that looked like it belonged in a fairytale, walls lined with subtle but expensive art, Lady Bell kept a gentle hand on Esther's back.
"You're to be treated like family while you're here. Daniel's orders. And don't worry, we don't bite," she teased.
Esther gave a nervous laugh, still unsure what to do with the warmth.
Just then, a sound came from the staircase, a small figure peeking from the top. Betty.
Lady Bell followed Esther's gaze, her eyes softening.
"Betty, your governess is here," she called out gently.
And in the blink of an eye, Betty's feet came flying down the stairs, her face lit up with excitement, eyes sparkling at the edges. She didn't speak, but her joy was loud enough.
She held up her tablet and quickly typed something. A cheerful voice from the device announced,
"Come on, let me take you to your room!"
Before Esther could say a word, Betty grabbed her hand and darted back up the stairs, her little legs moving faster than Esther expected.
"Betty!" Lady Bell called after her, laughing despite her concern.
"Slow down, darling! You're going to drag your poor governess into a wall."
But Betty was too thrilled to hear. She was practically bouncing with joy, tugging Esther through the second floor hallway.
At last, she stopped in front of a white door and flung it open with flair.
"Ta-da!" the machine chirped, voicing Betty's typed words.
Esther stood frozen for a moment.
The room looked like something out of a lifestyle magazine, soft pastel walls, floral curtains, a four-poster bed draped with velvet throws, and a dresser already stocked with perfume bottles, new clothes, and glittering accessories. Everything was fresh, carefully arranged, and still tagged.
Esther blinked back the sudden well of emotion. She had never owned anything this fine, not the clothes, not the space, and definitely not the luxury. But what overwhelmed her most wasn't the price.
It was the thought behind it all.
Betty quickly typed again, holding up her tablet.
"What do you think? Do you like it?"
Esther turned to the little girl, who looked up at her with hopeful, eager eyes. Her fingers gently pinched Betty's cheek as she smiled brightly.
"It's not like, it's love. I love it, Betty."
Betty beamed and spun around in a little happy twirl.
Just then, Lady Bell stepped into the room, watching the scene with affectionate eyes.
"I'm glad you love it," she said. "Betty put in so much effort getting it ready. You should've seen her ordering the staff around. Had them on their toes all day."
She chuckled fondly, placing a hand on Esther's shoulder.
"I haven't seen her this alive in years, Esther. She's been so quiet, so guarded… but today? Today she had light in her eyes again. I truly believe you'll bring that light back into her life."
Esther glanced between the woman and the child now hiding behind her leg.
In that moment, she didn't feel like a guest. She felt like she had arrived where she was needed.
Night clouds showered in , and Esther was called down by a maiden to join
The hours had slipped by like the blink of an eye. And though time moved fast, Esther had spent every second wrapped in Betty's presence, watching, helping, learning.
It had been a little overwhelming at first. Betty's eagerness, her constant need for attention, the endless questions typed into her tablet. But Esther didn't flinch. As a student of psychology, she recognized the signs instantly, a child not just in need of care, but desperate to feel chosen, prioritized… safe.
Not just as part of a family, but as someone worth staying for.
"Thanks for helping me unpack," Esther said, finally letting herself collapse onto the oversized, velvet-draped bed. She hadn't brought much, just a single suitcase, and was glad she hadn't. The Lewis family had filled her new wardrobe with more clothes and accessories than she'd ever owned in her entire life.
She tilted her head toward Betty, who stood by the dresser inspecting a hairbrush like it was a secret artifact. "So, what do you usually do around this time?"
Betty glanced over and gave a small shrug, before tapping on her screen.
"That's a long list," the mechanical voice replied with a theatrical sigh.
Just as Betty's fingers moved to elaborate, a gentle knock came at the door.
Esther got up and opened it to find Mather, the head maid, standing with her signature warm smile.
"My apologies for disturbing, miss," she said softly, "but Sir Lewis is home. Also, Madam Bell requests you and young ma'am to join downstairs for dinner. Five minutes."
"Thank you, Mather. We'll be right down," Esther said with a nod.
Downstairs, the mood shifted.
Daniel Lewis had just stepped through the front door, tailored coat draped over his arm, jaw set in its usual sternness. His presence was quiet, but it held weight. Authority clung to him like a second skin.
"Good evening, sir," the butler greeted. "Miss Esther has arrived."
Daniel paused at the foot of the stairs, glancing up just in time to see the two descend. His gaze swept over Betty first, her face glowing with energy he hadn't seen in a long time. Then to Esther, who walked a step behind, calm and composed.
"Good evening, Mr. Lewis," Esther greeted politely.
He gave a brief nod in return, his voice low. "Evening."
He didn't say more, but he didn't need to. The change in his daughter's demeanor said enough. She was smiling, wide and real, and clinging to Esther's hand like it was a lifeline. He felt something stir in his chest. Relief, maybe. Or guilt.
From the kitchen, Lady Bell's voice floated in.
"Esther, Betty! You're just in time. Come, take your seats. Dinner's almost ready!" she called, arms full of dishes as she helped Mather and the staff with the final touches.
"You two get started," Daniel said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Betty's forehead. "Daddy's going to freshen up."
Betty beamed, typing quickly.
"We're eating together tonight?" the machine chirped.
Daniel's eyes softened. "Yes. All of us."
Esther watched the exchange quietly. No matter how distant or stern he seemed, it was obvious, Daniel Lewis loved his daughter deeply. But somewhere along the line, he'd forgotten how to show it.
She turned back toward the table, gently guiding Betty to her seat. Her heart settled a little more. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as she thought.
Maybe… this was where she was meant to be.
Everything was set. The silver gleamed, the napkins were folded with crisp perfection, and the aroma of grilled chicken and herbed potatoes mingled with the earthy scent of sautéed greens. All that remained was the man himself, Daniel Lewis.
And then, he entered.
His presence didn't just arrive. It descended. The quiet murmur of the servants hushed into reverent silence. Their once fluid movements sharpened into mechanical precision. Plates were laid, glasses filled, and the wine poured with expert grace, yet no one dared breathe too loud.
Esther sat stiffly, her back only half touching the carved wooden chair. The opulence of it all pressed against her like velvet walls. A dinner this grand? It could've easily fed ten families from her neighborhood. Her eyes moved warily to the man at the head of the table, Daniel Lewis. Impeccably dressed, posture regal, his face unreadable.
And worst of all… she was seated a single chair away from him.
Lady Bell, ever the gentle bridge, offered a warm smile. "Esther," she said, "please feel free to ask for anything you need. This is your home now too."
Esther returned a polite smile, her hands curling slightly in her lap. She cast a quick glance at Daniel. Still silent. Still unreadable. The only sign of life in him was the subtle way he tapped his finger against the stem of his wine glass.
Beside her, Betty poked listlessly at her food, holding her spoon like it was a chore. She didn't eat much, but she didn't look troubled either. Just… done. And finally, when she'd had enough of pretending, she laid down her spoon and turned to Esther with a flick of her tablet:
"Break time. Let's go."
Esther didn't need telling twice.
They all but sprinted upstairs, giggling, barefoot, chasing the freedom only a child's command could offer. Esther's room welcomed them with familiar quiet, a soft contrast to the intense formality downstairs. But just as Esther began to breathe again, a knock broke through the calm.
Mather, ever composed, stood at the door. "Miss Esther, young madam's nap time," she said gently.
Betty pouted like the night had betrayed her, but she didn't argue. She shot Esther a long, reluctant glance and trudged off with Mather like a child headed to jail.
And just like that, the silence returned.
Esther sank into the bed, hands behind her head, eyes tracing the ceiling. Her thoughts wandered far across the ocean, Had they landed? Was her mother safe? Why hadn't Zianab called? The promise was that she'd text the minute they touched down, but the hours had slipped by like water.
Then..
Knock.
She sat up, heart thudding. Not Betty again…
She opened the door.
And there he was.
Daniel Lewis.
In the soft hallway light, he looked less like a mogul and more like a man, but no less intimidating. His expression was carved in cool stone, yet something flickered behind his eyes. Something unspoken.
"May I come in for a moment?" he asked, his voice low and deliberate.
Esther stepped aside slowly, unsure if she was more nervous… or curious.