Page 109 of Love so Hot

It is a resignation, a farewell not just to what was, but to what can never be. As he steps back, the finality of our parting hangs in the air, as tangible as the branches that sway above us, whispering of endings.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Willow

The Uber pulls upto the imposing front gate of my parents' sprawling estate. The gate guard leans out of his booth, eyeing the car suspiciously. "ID please," he barks.

My driver looks at me with uncertainty. "Are you sure this is the right place?"

I sigh, rolling down my window. "It's okay, Tony. I got this."

The guard does a double-take as I lean out. "Miss Wilhelmina? Is that really you?"

"In the flesh," I reply with a wry smile. "Been a while, hasn't it?"

He chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'll say! Welcome home." He waves us through and the wrought-iron gates slowly creak open.

As we wind up the long, tree-lined driveway, my stomach churns with anxiety. I can't believe I'm actually doing this - coming back to the lion's den after all these years. What the hell was I thinking?

The Uber drops me off in front of the grand entryway. I step out, taking a deep breath as I gaze up at my childhood home. It's just as ridiculously opulent as I remember - all white columns, marble statues, and meticulously manicured topiaries. A monument to the Hargraves family fortune.

Steeling myself, I ascend the steps and knock on the heavy oak door, the dull thud echoing through the foyer.

"Just a moment!" a muffled voice calls from inside.

The door swings open, revealing a familiar face - our family butler, Andrews. His eyes light up when he sees me. "Miss Wilhelmina! What a wonderful surprise!"

I can't help but grin. "Hey Andrews. Long time no see."

"Far too long," he agrees, ushering me inside. "The house just hasn't been the same without you. We've missed you terribly."

"Aw shucks, you're gonna make me blush." I glance around the cavernous foyer, taking in the crystal chandelier, the sweeping double staircase. "Place looks exactly the same."

"Your mother prefers things just so," Andrews notes with a knowing look. "Some things never change."

Don't I know it, I think wryly.

I'm home, for better or worse. Now the real fun begins.

"Wilhelmina? Is that you?" My mother's voice rings out from the top of the stairs. I look up to see her hurrying down, her heels clicking on the polished marble.

Before I can even respond, she's sweeping me into a bone-crushing hug, her perfume enveloping me in a cloud of Chanel No. 5. "Oh, my darling girl! I can't believe it's really you!"

I awkwardly pat her back, trying to extricate myself. "Hey, Mom. Surprise?"

She pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. "Let me look at you. You're so thin! Have you been eating enough? Andrews, tell Chef Dan to prepare something immediately."

"Mom, I'm fine," I protest, but she's already ushering me further inside.

That's when I notice my father standing in the doorway to his study, watching us with an inscrutable expression. Our eyes meet and I feel a pang of something - guilt, maybe, or regret. I'm not sure.

Mom follows my gaze, her smile faltering slightly. "William, look who's here."

Dad steps forward, clearing his throat. "Hello, Willy. Welcome home." He extends his hand and I shake it, the gesture feeling oddly formal after all this time.

"Hi, Dad."

An awkward silence descends, broken only by Mom's overly cheerful voice. "Why don't we all go sit in the kitchen? I'll make us some tea and you can tell us all about what you've been up to."