Chapter 201
Chapter 201:
The moment we stepped into the lobby of The Aurelia, the tension in my neck began to dissolve. The marble floors gleamed under warm lighting, and the air didn’t smell of violence or damp earth. It smelled of polished wood and dried herbs — the scent of safety.
An elderly woman with silver hair pulled into a tight bun was waiting by the elevators. She smiled as we approached, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
“You must be Adella,” she said, her voice raspy but warm. “I am Elder Eleanor p>
I bowed my head respectfully, exposing my neck slightly — a reflex I couldn’t quite shake. “It’s an honor, Elder Eleanor p>
She chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, stop that. Call me Eleanor.” She stepped closer, and her scent washed over me — baked apples and cinnamon. The smell of a grandmother’s kitchen, instantly disarming every one of my defenses. “Come. Let me show you Unit 4B p>
As she unlocked the door, I held my breath.
The apartment was breathtaking. It wasn’t opulent like Dallas’s penthouse — it was serene. Pale oak floors stretched under high ceilings, and a fireplace made of dark Blackwood mountain stone anchored the living room. The furniture was creamy and soft, accented with sage green throws that looked impossibly comfortable.
𝘋оw𝘯𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘢𝖻𝗹𝗲 рD𝖥𝗌 o𝗻
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, wandering into the center of the room.
“Wait until you see the back room,” Eleanor said, her eyes twinkling with a secret.
I followed her down the hall and gasped. It was a small room with a massive window — north-facing, flooding the space with cool, consistent, shadowless light.
“Perfect for detailed work,” Eleanor noted casually. “I heard you enjoy art restoration. The light here is unforgiving, but honest p>
My heart skipped a beat. It was exactly what I needed.
“How much is the rent?” I asked, bracing myself.
Eleanor named a price that was shockingly low. Seeing my confusion, she patted my hand. “The Moon Goddess guides us to protect our own, child. I need a tenant who will respect the space, not a party animal. Consider it a family discount p>
I looked at Azalea, who gave me a thumbs-up and a grin that looked — for once — genuinely relieved.
“I’ll take it,” I said, my voice trembling slightly with emotion.
Ten minutes later, I was signing the lease on the kitchen island. The paper bore the letterhead of Blackwood Holdings.
“Welcome home, dear,” Eleanor said, pressing a heavy brass key into my palm.
As she left, I spun slowly in the center of the empty living room, laughing softly to myself. I had done it. I had found a sanctuary.
“You good?” Azalea asked, heading for the door.
“I’m perfect,” I said, clutching the key to my chest. “Thank you, Azalea. For everything p>
“Yeah, well — don’t mention it,” she said, a strange little smirk playing at the corners of her lips. She tapped her temple, her eyes glazing over for a fraction of a second as she engaged her Mind-Link. Then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her.
I didn’t pay it any mind. I was already planning where to put my easel.