The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 411

Liora’s POV

The week went by more quickly than I would have liked. Midterms were over, and Saturday arrived with a minor spring heatwave—just enough to make me wake up a little earlier than I intended as the hot sun beat against the windows.

Callum and I were in his car by eight that morning, driving along the winding roads with the windows down. He had his hand firmly planted on my thigh while the other steered, and the radio was playing some old rock and roll tunes on a low volume in the background.

“I’m asking once again,” he said, glancing at me. “If you’d rather not do this at all.”

I shot him a look. “That’s the third time you’ve brought it up.”

“Just taking precautions. My parents are… not the most fun people to be around.”

“It’ll be fine.” I squeezed his hand. “We’re together now. Nothing can change that.”

Callum smiled at that, looking more relieved than I expected him to. We fell into a comfortable silence for the remainder of the drive.

It was around noon that we made it. His parents’ estate was exactly as I remembered; dark, brooding, conical roofs poking into the sky like claws grabbing at the air. The pine trees grew tall and thick all around the perimeter of the estate, and a pebbled circular driveway took us right up to the front door.

A butler in an all-black uniform with white gloves was waiting for us in the foyer when we arrived. He took Callum’s bag, bowing sharply at the waist, then turned to me and hesitated.

“This is Liora,” Callum said, putting his arm around my waist. “She came here once before. You remember her, right?”

“Yes, of course.” The butler nodded his head politely. “May I take your bag, Miss Liora?”

I nodded, thanking him, and handed my bag over. Just then, a voice called out, “Make sure you take her things to the Rose Room.”

“It’s alright, Callum.” His mother shot him a look. Then, she turned to me and sighed. “Listen. I know I haven’t been kind to you in the past. But I’m trying to make amends now. Truly.”

Callum looked at me. I nodded to him, forcing a smile, and followed his mother up the stairs.

The Rose Room was aptly named for its soft, rosy pink wallpaper and the large, circular window overlooking the rose gardens below. Many of the bushes were just barely starting to bloom, bright green buds punctuated by the occasional red or pink flower.

“Dinner tonight is at six,” Callum’s mother said as the butler scurried around the room, opening drapes and fluffing the pillows. She turned to me and smiled. “I have something for you. Close your eyes.”

I hesitated, but did as she instructed, although I kept my eyes just barely open so I could see movement through my lashes. I saw her walk over to the closet, retrieve something, then come back.

“Open,” she said.