Echoes of Ever Garden
The city of Sterling Heights gleamed under the weight of December’s snowfall. Towering glass buildings reflected the pale winter sun, their surfaces dusted with frost. Below, luxury cars slid smoothly across salted streets, and designer-clad pedestrians rushed between high-end boutiques. It was a city of power, of status—everything Felix Anderson had built his life around.
Inside the top floor of the Vérone Prestige headquarters, Felix leaned back in his leather chair, eyes scanning the skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. The office excluded opulence: sleek marble surfaces, warm golden lighting, and an original art piece worth more than some people’s yearly salaries. The scent of rare oud and fresh espresso lingered in the air.
“Mr. Anderson, your meeting with the Milan team is in five minutes,” came the deep, steady voice of his assistant, Jake, through the intercom.
Felix sighed, rubbing his temple. “Reschedule it for tomorrow. I have something to take care of.”
A pause. Then, “Of course, sir. Should I notify them of a specific reason?”
“Just tell them it’s personal.” He cut the line before Jake could reply.
His phone buzzed again, but this time, it was personal. His brows furrowed as he saw the name flash across the screen: Mother.
He exhaled before answering. “Hello?”
“Felix, you forgot, didn’t you?” Her voice was warm but tinged with disappointment.
He frowned, glancing at the calendar on his desk. “Forgot what?”
“Your grandfather’s death anniversary. Felix, it’s been six years. You promised to visit his grave in Ever Garden.”
Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, guilt settling in. “I’ve been busy. The brand’s expansion into Paris has been—”
“Felix, you always say you’re busy. This isn’t about business. It’s about family. He raised you.” Her voice softened. “Please, just go. For him.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. Sterling Heights was a world away from Ever Garden, a quiet little town frozen in time. He hadn’t visited in years, and truth be told, he had no desire to return. Something about the place unsettled him. Still, his mother’s words weighed heavy.
“Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll go.”
“Thank you, darling.” He could hear her smile through the phone. “I’ll let the caretaker know you’re coming. Be safe.”
As the call ended, Felix stared at his reflection in the window. He had spent years shaping Vérone Prestige into a global empire, surrounding himself with the finest things money could buy. And yet, a single grave in a forgotten town still held power over him.
With a sigh, he stood, reaching for his coat. “Jake,” he called over the intercom, “cancel my meetings for the rest of the day. Book me a train ticket to Ever Garden. First class.”
“Understood, sir. Departure at 4 PM. The schedule is sent to your phone.”
Felix checked his watch. He had two hours.
The train station was a stark contrast to Sterling Heights’ glitz. The cold metal benches, flickering overhead lights, and the distant echo of an announcer’s voice felt oddly foreign to him. Wrapped in a dark wool coat, Felix adjusted his gloves as he stepped onto the platform, his breath curling into the icy air.
He boarded the train, finding his seat in the nearly empty first-class carriage. As the train rumbled to life, he settled against the plush seat, staring out at the frozen landscape blurring past the window.
Half an hour into the journey, his phone buzzed. A message from Jake.
Sir, the Paris division needs final confirmation on the winter collection. Urgent.
Felix sighed and started typing his response when he noticed something odd.
The signal bars on his phone flickered before disappearing entirely. No Service.
Strange. The train was still near major towns. He frowned, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Outside, the scenery had changed. The world had turned quieter, more desolate. Snow-laden trees lined the tracks, their branches skeletal against the gray sky.
A movement in his peripheral vision made him glance toward the aisle. Someone passed by, their reflection flitting across the window. It was a woman, walking briskly, her pale hair tucked under a scarf. She wore a long coat, the kind people in colder towns favored, though something about her posture seemed distant, almost melancholic.
Felix turned, expecting to see her still walking down the aisle, but it was empty.
He frowned slightly, his fingers tapping idly against his knee. Maybe she had turned into another compartment. Maybe he was just tired.
Leaning back against his seat, he exhaled, trying to shake off the strange feeling creeping into his chest.
Outside, the snow fell heavier. The further he traveled, the closer he got to Ever Garden—and to something waiting for him there.
