Believe Me Once

Renée PoV

I woke up to the sound of an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing shortly."

I blinked, sitting up straight, and looked out the window, the reality of where I was settling in.

The plane began its descent, and the city lights came into view.

It looked so beautiful.

I couldn't believe I was back.

The city looked so small. The lights made it look almost ethereal.

It felt harmless, but the heavy feeling in my chest told a different story.

It wasn't like this before. He made it different.

Easy.

The memories kept flooding in like a tsunami. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to clear my head.

A sudden jolt pulled me out of my thoughts.

The captain's calm voice filled the cabin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed..."

I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.

The seatbelt sign turned off with a ding. People around me started collecting their belongings and moved toward the exit.

I stood up, not as eager to get out.

I wish I felt that eager to meet my loved ones. I knew what was waiting for me when I got out of this plane.

I was pulling my bag from the overhead compartment when someone bumped into me.

"I'm sorry."

I looked back and saw a young girl standing there. Her expression changed slightly, recognizing who I was.

The girl hesitated before asking, "Aren't you...?"

I could see the judgment brewing in her eyes, already deciding what kind of person I was.

I can't deal with this right now.

"Excuse me."

I walked past her, not offering any acknowledgment.

Nothing had changed—judgment, people... the same as I left.

A car was waiting for me when I stepped out of the airport. I made my way toward it, each step heavier than the last.

The driver smiled at me. "Welcome back, Ms. Whitmore."

I smiled at him. "When will you stop calling me that? I told you, call me Renée."

Charles had been with me since I was a baby and was currently the only person who was happy to see me.

An uninvited thought crossed my mind. Does he know I'm back?

Charles's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "Renée, are you ready to go home?"

Home. That's one way to put it.

Charles opened the car door for me. I smiled at him and sat inside.

The car felt cold. Expensive. I should be used to it by now.

An uninvited thought crossed my mind. Does he know I'm back?

I pushed the thought aside before it could settle.

"How was your flight?" Charles asked from the driver's seat.

"It was okay. Nothing special."

Charles looked at me through the rearview mirror. I rested my head against the window, avoiding eye contact.

Charles kept his eyes on me through the mirror.

His calm, concerned voice broke the quiet hum of the car.

"Hey, you look tired. Did you get any sleep on the plane?"

My chest felt heavy hearing his concern. I brushed it off with a wave of my hand.

"I'm not tired."

I clenched my fists as I thought about them. I wish they were more like him.

I turned my head toward the window, not wanting to continue the conversation.

Outside, the city passed in a blur, the same as the day I left.

I closed my eyes as unwanted memories started to flood in. Good and bad.

"Renée, we're here."

I woke up to Charles's voice announcing our arrival. I didn't know when I had dozed off. I guess the long travel got to me.

The car slowed down, and I looked out the window. A grand mansion came into view.

I kept playing with the edge of my sleeve. It had been years since I last saw them.

Will they be happy to see me?

That was the only thing going through my head.

The car came to a stop, my heart pounding against my chest as I reached for the door handle, but I couldn't move.

It felt like I was frozen in time.

I kept my eyes on the seat in front of me, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Charles noticed my hesitation, his comforting voice filling the car.

"Renée, everything's going to be okay. Take your time."

I looked at him, a bit calmer than before.

"I can do this. I'm ready."

I didn't know who I was trying to convince—myself or Charles.

Charles stepped out and opened the door for me. He gave me a small, encouraging smile as he held out his hand.

Cool air hit my face as I stepped out, the little girl in me hoping to see her parents waiting by the entrance to welcome her home.

My heart sank when I realized no one was there.

What did I expect?

I walked toward the entrance, each step heavier than the last.

The doors opened as I stepped in, and I noticed a servant standing there.

She smiled at me. "Welcome home, Miss Renée."

I nodded with a forced smile. At least the servants were here to greet me.

I walked past her, heading inside.

I observed my surroundings. Everything felt the same. Cold and luxurious.

I was making my way toward my room when I stopped mid-step.

I turned back to the servant. "Where are my parents?"

The servant replied in a formal tone, "They are with an important guest."

Important guest? My chest tightened slightly as I noticed the servant avoiding eye contact.

Could it be him?

A voice interrupted my thoughts. "Do you need anything else, madam?" Martha asked.

I shook my head. "No, that will be all."

"Wait—are they in the study?" I asked Martha.

She hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes. Your parents asked not to be disturbed."

I nodded as I spun on my heel and changed direction toward the study.

I could hear Martha trying to keep up with me. "Madam, please wait—"

I didn't turn back. I kept walking.

Then something she said made me freeze on the spot.

"It's Mr. Pierce. He's here."

My heart felt like it was about to explode.

After all this time...

So it begins.