Chapter 12 - Exploring The East Wing And The Past Left Behind
Grace walked up the grand staircase alone,
stepping into the cavernous East Wing where Sloane Mercer had reigned queen for over two years.
The rooms were largely stripped bare,
with expensive designer clothes, imported cosmetics, and gold-plated picture frames packed neatly into cardboard boxes labeled for shipment.
Yet,
despite the packing boxes,
the atmosphere felt lighter,
cleaner,
as if a heavy, toxic fog had finally been lifted from the entire mansion.
Caleb was standing by the tall arched window,
holding a leather-bound folio,
his sleeves rolled up to his forearms and his tie completely removed.
He looked up as Grace entered the room,
his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made the air feel suddenly thin.
"You missed a spot,"
Caleb said dryly,
gesturing toward a small vanity table in the corner where a forgotten crystal perfume bottle sat alone.
Grace walked over,
picked up the bottle,
and placed it carefully into an open packing box.
"Miss Mercer seems to have left behind her favorite scent,"
Grace noted quietly.
"Good riddance,"
Caleb replied,
tossing the folio onto a leather sofa.
"Sloane cared more about how things looked on the outside than what they were made of on the inside.
It took me far too long to realize that."
Grace turned around,
leaning slightly against the edge of the vanity table.
"People with a lot to lose often forget what really matters,
Mr. Westbrook."
Caleb walked slowly across the hardwood floor until he stood just a few feet away from her.
"Call me Caleb,
Grace,"
he said softly,
his gaze dropping to hers with a warmth that sent shivers down her spine.
"When you're standing in my East Wing reorganizing my life,
'Mr. Westbrook' feels a bit too formal."
Grace swallowed hard,
her heart hammering against her ribs.
"Okay... Caleb."
The sound of his first name on her lips felt forbidden,
yet strangely natural.
May you like
Before either of them could speak further,
a soft knock echoed at the open double doors.
