chapter 1
In the woods of Whispering Pines. I have been living here since forever. I love the way the woods smell; they always bring me peace. Today I am on my usual round of the forest. The view is almost breathtaking, it never gets old.
Taking a deep breath, I jog through the forest at a slow pace. I can hear the chirping of birds. It’s serene, peaceful. I wander around for another half an hour before heading back.
When I reach home, I smile. My place is a beautiful villa built in the middle of the forest. My mother she’s a retired forest officer. These days she’s often busy visiting the city. She doesn’t like the forest much anymore, but I love it. She says I’m more like Dad. He also loved this forest as his own and I do too.
He died when I was young, around twelve, but I still remember every single thing about him. I smile as I open the main door and see a wall filled with pictures of him, Mum, and me. After Dad passed away, Mum became more cheerful; she didn’t want me to miss him too much.
I close the door behind me, remove my shoes, and head straight for the shower. After this run, I’m sweating and I stink. Finally, after a refreshing shower, I make myself a good breakfast. Then I get ready to leave for my therapy center.
Wearing a blue jumpsuit over a white t-shirt, I locked the door behind me and headed to the garage. My old jeep was waiting , scratched here and there, but mine.
As soon as I turned the key, Taylor Swift’s voice filled the air. I’ve been impatient for her new album to drop, counting days like a child waiting for summer.
The breeze rushed against my skin the moment I rolled down the windows. A burst of excitement fluttered through me, so natural, so alive.
I giggled as Wildest Dreams played in the background. Out here, in the woods, every moment felt like magic.
“Get up, Sir Andres. Time for office,” I heard Patrick’s voice the head of our house staff. He sounded worried. I struggled in my sleep.
“Or Grandfather is going to be upset with you,” came my father’s stern tone. As if that’s all we ever had to talk about Grandfather.
“Baby, this is how our lives are meant to be. Your father and grandfather both value time very much.” My mother’s sorry voice. But we both know she loves the system of this house . She’s a working woman herself.
I turned to the other side of the bed.
“You are a disappointment.” My uncle Drake’s voice cut through. My breath turned uneven. I am not a disappointment.
“Time is money.” And finally, my grandfather’s voice.
“STOP ITTTT!” I woke up with a jerk. The same dream. The same nightmare. Every morning.
Since high school, time has mattered more than life in our house. Since childhood, we barely talked about anything else except what should be done, and at what time.
Exactly on time sharp 5 a.m.and now this nightmare is only my alarm. It wakes me daily, no Patrick pounding on my door, no reminders that I’m late.
My head has been pounding a lot lately. With a groan, I dragged myself into the shower. The water hit me, but my thoughts didn’t wander anywhere beyond business because that’s all that ever matters here, and all anyone expects from me. I feel like a robot, stuck in the same endless cycle.
When I came out, my clothes were already laid neatly on the bed. I dressed quickly, and as usual, a cup of black coffee waited on the trolley. One sip, and the bitterness grounded me, even if only for a moment.
I walked down the grand staircase toward breakfast. The house never changes, but it always feels colder. My cousins live here, but the one person I miss most is my younger brother the only one who had the courage to leave. He eloped, defying the rules that suffocate all of us. The bravest, most fearless act anyone in this family has dared for decades.
And me? At thirty years old, all I’ve managed are a few sneaky escapes little rebellions that never lasted.
Author’s Note
Hi everyone! This is me, Hafsah Khan. 💕 Thank you so much for picking up my story, it means the world to me. The beginning might feel a little unusual, but trust me, everything will come together as the story unfolds. Stick with me, and I promise you’ll enjoy the journey!
If you enjoy the story, don’t forget to follow my Inkitt profile and my Instagram @A_ira_writes for daily updates and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks ✨
