2. Safe Place
My hands trembled as I hovered near the doorbell, torn between pressing it and turning around. Would he accept me? I knew he loved me dearly, but he loved Mom more. What if he took her side?
Taking a deep breath, I finally mustered the courage to ring the doorbell of the luxurious apartment before me. Shuffling sounds came from inside, and I braced myself. The door swung open, revealing the one person I had always felt safe with.
"God, I missed you so much," I breathed, throwing my arms around my grandfather, Alistair.
Alistair was more than just my paternal grandfather—he was my friend, my confidant. Though in his seventies, he was still strong, carrying himself with the same pride and determination that had defined his youth. Some people even mistook him for my father, and honestly, I could see why. Unlike many his age who had retired and relied on their children for support, Alistair was a man of honor, still working, still independent.
His NYC apartment was a testament to his hard work—a home built not by inheritance but by his own relentless effort. He had a charm that made him easy to be around, regardless of age. But as much as I adored him, I knew one thing for sure: he never broke his word. If Mom had already asked him to send me back, if he had promised her anything, nothing would change his mind. And that terrified me.
I wasn't going back. I refused. I wouldn't let them throw me into a marriage with a man old enough to be my grandfather, just because he was wealthy and willing to accept me. They called it a blessing, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I called it a nightmare. The way they treated me compared to my siblings was unfair, and I had enough of it.
"Mara, what are you doing here, baby?" Alistair asked, rubbing my back.
I melted into his embrace, allowing myself a rare moment of comfort. This—this was what I needed.
Pulling away slightly, I studied him. "You look younger than before, Ali. Are you seeing someone?" I teased, wiggling my eyebrows.
He scoffed, feigning a strict expression. "Like I could find someone at this age." But his laughter soon betrayed his act.
I plopped onto the sofa, and he soon joined me, his keen gaze studying me. "Now, Mara, tell me why you're really here. My gut tells me there's a reason—and you know how strong my intuition is." His voice was gentle but firm.
I sighed. He was right, as always. There was no hiding anything from him.
"Fine, I'll tell you everything," I said, folding my arms. "But this time, you have to promise me you won't take Mom's side."
He exhaled, shaking his head. "Mara, I need to know the full story first. What if you're in the wrong, and Carin isn't? You know I'll always support the one who is right."
I clenched my jaw. He had a point. My grandfather was never biased; he always sided with the truth, no matter who was involved.
"Okay," I conceded. "Just promise to hear me out and make a fair decision."
He nodded, and so I began, telling him everything—how my parents had arranged for me to marry a man I barely knew, a man decades older than me. I left out the part about Arthur Vance. He wasn't the main reason I was here, even if a small part of me wished he were.
"So I had to pack my things and leave, Ali. What else could I do?" My voice cracked as I tried to hold back the wave of emotions threatening to break through — not usually my style, but sometimes, it was just too much. "Why am I the one who's always treated differently? Elizabeth and Rogan are their pride and joy, and I'm…what? A burden? Am I really that much of a disappointment in their eyes — so much so that they'd rather disown me for saying no to something I don't want?"
My grandfather pulled me into another hug, his strong arms wrapping around me like a shield.
"That's insane," he said fiercely. "How can your parents force their deceit on you? I gave Carin the freedom to live her life the way she wanted — never once did I force my will on her. How could she turn around and do the exact opposite to her own daughter?" His voice trembled with anger.
"What else should I do, Ali?" I asked, wiping at my eyes. "They make me feel so worthless. Don't I deserve to make decisions for myself? I just want to build a career and live life on my terms. But they're trying to rip even that away."
My grandfather gently rubbed my arm. "Don't worry, Mara. You are not marrying anyone you don't like. Not while I'm alive." His voice was steady and reassuring. "I'm glad you came here. You're staying with me until I say otherwise. No arguments."
"Really?" I blinked up at him. "You're not mad at me?"
"Why would I be mad?" he chuckled softly. "You didn't do anything wrong — except maybe running away from home." He gave me a playful wink. "But honestly? I understand. Besides, I've been feeling lonely lately... missing your grandmother more than I can put into words. Having you here...it's good for me, too."
My heart softened. I missed Grams so much. She had been the sweetest woman, always gentle — though she often sided with Mom, no matter what. Maybe if she were still here, I wouldn't have dared to come.
"Thank you, Ali," I whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you." I pulled away and tried to lighten the mood. "Anyway, tomorrow I'm going job hunting. That way, if you ever decide to throw me out, I'll at least have something to fall back on." I grinned.
He let out a laugh. "You know that's never going to happen." He patted my back before rising from the couch. "For now, don't worry about anything. You must be exhausted from the trip. Go get some rest."
I nodded. "Which room am I taking?" I asked.
The apartment had four rooms, but two of them were off-limits: the master bedroom my grandparents once shared and the one filled with Grams' belongings, which felt sacred and untouched. That left two rooms — one by the kitchen and another spacious one with a beautiful balcony. I silently prayed he'd let me take that one. It looked like the perfect retreat... though I'd have to be cautious. The balconies were so close that hopping from one to the next wouldn't be a challenge for anyone determined — a thought that gave me chills. I'd need to keep the sliding door locked tight.
"You can take either of the two rooms, but for tonight, stay in the one with the balcony," my grandfather said gently. "I'll ask the maid to clean the other one tomorrow if you decide to switch."
"No, no, I actually prefer that room," I said with a soft smile, already gathering my things. But then a thought struck me. I hesitated and looked up at him. "Ali… what if Mom calls you?"
He smiled knowingly. "Don't worry about that. I'm her father — I know how to handle her."
That simple reassurance filled my heart with warmth. For once, I felt safe, like someone truly had my back.
"Thank you so much," I whispered, hugging him tightly. "Good night, Ali."
"Good night, my child," he said softly, and I could feel the sincerity in his voice.
I headed to the room, and to my surprise, it was cleaner than I expected. "Huh," I breathed out, relieved. "At least I don't have to do much work tonight."
I placed my bags neatly in the corner and noticed my phone had completely died. I plugged it in to charge, and as I sat on the bed, my eyes drifted to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. I had been thinking about that balcony earlier... and now, I couldn't resist.
Even though the night air was biting cold — especially at this height — I felt like I needed fresh air. I rummaged through my bag, found a soft shawl, and wrapped it tightly around myself before sliding the door open and stepping out.
The cold hit me immediately, but I didn't mind. I had always loved this balcony. It felt like a little sanctuary in the sky, a place where I could just... exist.
I walked over to the railing, closed my eyes, and let the silence wrap around me. For a moment, I felt at peace.
Then, I noticed him.
Out of the corner of my eye, on the neighboring balcony, a man stood with his back turned toward me. A thin cloud of smoke surrounded him — he was smoking, his posture casual but heavy, as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I could tell he was about to turn. Quickly, I averted my gaze, not wanting to come off as some weirdo spying on him. He had every right to be out here. His smoke didn't bother me. This was his space just as much as it was mine.
I looked back out toward the night sky, my heart full of emotions I couldn't voice. There was so much I wanted to scream out loud — frustration, hope, fear — but all of it stayed locked inside me. I clenched the railing tighter and closed my eyes again, letting the cold wind carry away the chaos in my mind, at least for tonight.
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A/N: Hey my loves, here is the first chapter what do you think about it? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments.