I've lost track of how many weeks it's been since I moved in with my uncle.
Every day blurred into the next the steady clink of forks at breakfast, the lingering trace of Beatrice's perfume in the hallway, Samantha's laughter drifting from upstairs when she thought I couldn't hear her.
And me, always trying to shrink myself.
Trying to take up as little space as possible.
Trying not to bother anyone.
But silence, I learned, can sting just as much as words.
Beatrice never needed to raise her voice.
The way she looked at me like I'd done something wrong just by existing was enough.
Keep your things out of sight, Rose, she told me the previous day. This is not a playing ground.
I nodded quickly, clutching my little suitcase to my chest as if it could shield me. "Yes, ma'am."
Samantha snorted beside her mother. "Do people even say 'ma'am' anymore?"
Nathan chuckled, eyes glued to his phone.
And Uncle Albert just stood there, rubbing his temple like he wished none of us were talking.
That was how it always was
Uncle Albert, quiet and distracted.
Beatrice, ruling the house with a cold sort of authority.
And the kids, following her lead.
This morning I stood in front of the small mirror in my room, brushing my hair until it looked halfway decent. The uniform felt stiff and new though it wasn't exactly new. It was one of Samantha's old ones. It smelled faintly of lavender and something older, something that didn't belong to me.
Beatrice had dropped it on my bed the night before without a word. "You'll wear this. It's good enough."
"Thanks," I whispered, but she was already gone.
I checked my reflection again. My collar was crooked, so I straightened it. My shoes weren't as shiny as Samantha's, but they were clean. That had to count for something.
A sharp knock on my door jolted me. It wasn't the kind of knock that waited for it.
"Rose!" Samantha's voice sliced through the door. "Mom says come down. We're late."
"I'm coming," I called, grabbing my bag and hurrying downstairs.
The dining room smelled of toast and eggs. The chandelier sparkled overhead, the table perfectly set: four seats taken.
My uncle at the head, Beatrice beside him, Samantha next to her, and Nathan across from her. They had already started eating. I searched for any available seat, hoping I wouldn't disturb them.
Beatrice barely looked up as I sat. "You're late."
"I… I was fixing my hair," I murmured.
"Then wake up earlier," she replied, slicing her toast. "Punctuality is a habit, not an excuse."
Samantha grinned. "Maybe orphans don't learn that kind of thing."
"Samantha," Uncle Albert said quietly, still not looking up from his newspaper.
"What?" she shrugged. "I was just saying."
I kept my eyes on my food, pretending not to hear. The breakfast looked good, but my stomach was too tight to eat.
Nathan leaned back lazily. "Nervous about school? St. Helena's isn't like wherever you came from."
"I'll be fine," I mumbled.
"Fine," Samantha echoed, mocking. "That's what they all say before they end up crying in the bathroom."
Beatrice didn't scold her. Instead, a small, satisfied smile tugged at her lips.
Uncle Albert finally folded his newspaper and stood. "Enough. Let's go. We're late."
Beatrice reached for her coffee. "Nathan, Samantha, I'll drive you. Rose can take the other car."
I blinked. "The… other car?"
Albert sighed. "I'll drop her."
Beatrice's smile was thin. "How kind of you."
The drive to school was quiet. Rain tapped softly against the windows as Uncle Albert kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other drumming absently against his thigh. I wanted to thank him for the ride, for the school, for something but the words stuck in my throat.
Finally, he spoke. "Beatrice means well, you know."
I glanced at him. I wasn't sure if I believed that. "She doesn't like me."
He exhaled, almost a laugh. "She doesn't like most people."
A small smile tugged at me, but it faded. "She… she said I should be grateful."
"She's right about that," he said evenly. "St. Helena's is the best school in the city. Make the most of it."
I nodded. "I'll try."
"Good."
That was all he said. The rest of the drive passed in silence.
When we pulled up to the school gates, I stared at the tall buildings, the manicured lawns, the polished cars dropping off students. Everyone looked perfect. I felt small all over again.
Albert handed me a card. "Your schedule and ID are inside. Don't lose it."
I took it carefully. "Thank you, Uncle."
He nodded, already checking his phone. "Someone will pick your kids up after classes. Don't cause trouble."
"I won't," I whispered.
He drove off before I could say anything else.
As I turned toward the gate, I heard sharp, familiar laughter. Samantha and Nathan had just arrived. Samantha shot me a smirk.
"Try not to embarrass us, okay? People already think you're a charity case."
I froze. "I didn't…"
"Just stay out of my way," she hissed. "And don't tell anyone you live with us."
"But I…"
She walked off before I could finish.
Nathan gave me a half-smile. "She's dramatic. Don't take it seriously."
"Okay," I whispered.
"Still… maybe don't sit near us." Then he followed his sister.
I stood there, clutching my bag. My shoes suddenly felt too tight. My heart thudded against my ribs.
When I stepped into the courtyard, I felt eyes on me. Whispers drifted through the air.
"Who's that?"
"New girl."
"She looks lost."
"Did she come with Samantha and Nathan?"
I tried to ignore them, walking faster as the bell rang. The hallway buzzed with voices and footsteps.
As I rounded a corner, a tall boy stepped in front of me, blocking my path. He looked older than sixteen , maybe with dark, curious eyes.
"Rose Whitmore?" he asked.
I blinked. "Yes…"
He studied me for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Did your father own Whitmore Industries?"
My breath caught. "He… he did."
A shadow passed over his expression. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "But you shouldn't tell people that here."
My voice was barely audible. "Why not?"
He glanced around and lowered his tone. "Because not everyone's glad your family is gone."
Before I could speak, the bell rang again loud, sharp.
He turned and walked away, leaving me frozen in the hallway, my heart pounding so hard it drowned out the noise around me.
I didn't even know his name.
But his warning kept echoing in my mind.
And for the first time since I arrived, fear settled deep in my chest.