Chapter 4 No place for you here

Chloe kept her gaze firmly on her plate, pretending not to notice Aaron's persistent stare. She could feel his eyes on her, sharp and invasive, but she forced herself to remain calm. She had enough to deal with already.

Nicholas, seated beside her, spoke up again, his tone slicing through the silence. "Aaron, do you have something to say? Or are you just here to stare at my wife?"

Aaron smirked, leaning back in his chair as if the tension amused him. "Relax, brother. I'm just admiring your taste. She's... different from the others."

Nicholas's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to Chloe. "Eat," he said firmly, his tone softer but still commanding.

Chloe nodded and took a small bite, though her appetite was nonexistent.

Verona let out a laugh, breaking the tension with her biting words. "This is already getting interesting. How long before she realizes she's just a pawn like the rest of us?"

"Verona, that's enough," Mr. Knight said sharply, his voice carrying the authority of someone who wouldn't tolerate disobedience.

Verona huffed but didn't say another word, her eyes filled with defiance.

The rest of the meal passed in tense silence, broken only by the occasional clink of cutlery against plates. Chloe kept her focus on surviving the moment, ignoring the swirling chaos around her.

When the meal finally ended, the family began to disperse. Chloe stood, unsure of where to go or what to do next, when Nicholas addressed her.

"Come with me," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Chloe followed him out of the dining room, her heart pounding. He led her through the vast mansion, past ornate halls and countless closed doors. Finally, he stopped in front of a room and opened the door, gesturing for her to enter.

It was a study, lined with shelves of books and a large mahogany desk in the center. Nicholas closed the door behind them and turned to face her.

"I'm sure you've noticed by now that this family isn't normal," he said, his voice steady but cold.

Chloe nodded, her throat dry.

"I brought you here to remind you of something," he continued. "You're here for two reasons: to pay off your family's debt and to play the role of my wife. That's it. Don't get involved in anything else. Don't trust anyone, not even the ones who smile at you."

Chloe's brows furrowed, his warning sending a chill down her spine. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked cautiously.

Nicholas's expression darkened. "Because I know what happens when someone in this family gets too comfortable. And I don't need more problems."

His words hung heavy in the air, and Chloe realized just how dangerous her situation truly was.

"Do you understand?" he asked, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Good," he said, turning toward the door. "Stay in your lane, Chloe. That's the only way to survive here."

With that, he left, leaving Chloe alone in the cold, silent study. She sank into the nearest chair, her mind racing.

She had entered the Knight family knowing it would be difficult, but now she understood-it wasn't just difficult. It was a game of survival. And the rules weren't in her Favour.

Chloe stepped out of the study room, unsure of where to go next. She glanced down the hallway, trying to remember which way led back to her the dinning ,but everything looked unfamiliar. The mansion was massive-so big it felt like a maze.

She decided to head to the right, hoping it would lead her somewhere familiar. But the further she walked, the more confusing it became. Every hallway looked the same, with endless doors and turns that seemed to lead nowhere.

Just as she was about to turn back and retrace her steps, she heard the sound of footsteps. Looking ahead, she saw Daniel and Daniella walking toward her with another girl, who she assumed was Nora. Two maids trailed behind them.

Chloe forced a smile and stepped closer to the children. "Hi," she said softly, hoping to break the ice.

The children stopped in their tracks. Daniel stood still, his calm and cold expression making it clear he didn't want to be approached. Chloe bent down slightly, intending to pat his head, but he stepped back, his icy gaze freezing her in place.

"You should understand," Daniella said sharply, her tone filled with disdain. "There's no place for you here. Don't touch my brother, and we don't want another mommy. Just go away." Without waiting for a response, Daniella grabbed Daniel's hand and walked off, leaving Chloe standing there, she stared at them as they walked away.

Only Nora remained, her wide eyes studying Chloe. After a moment, Nora spoke in a small voice, "You look beautiful."

Chloe crouched down to her level, her heart softening at the child's innocence. "Thank you. You must be Nora, right?" she asked gently.

"Yes," Nora replied with a shy nod.

"You're beautiful too," Chloe said with a warm smile.

Before Chloe could say anything more, Verona appeared, her expression furious. She grabbed Nora's arm and pulled her away from Chloe. "Stay away from my daughter," Verona snapped, her voice dripping with anger. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Chloe standing there, stunned.

The harshness of the moment hit Chloe like a wave, and she couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes. Her heart ached, not just from Verona's words but from the painful reminder of her past.

As she wiped her tears, she heard a voice behind her. "Are you okay?"

She turned around quickly, surprised to see Danis standing there. His calm demeanor and gentle tone were a stark contrast to the chaos she had just experienced.