The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 42

“Yes, I’m full,” Ondine replied with a nod.

“Then let’s get you home so you can rest.”

“Okay.”

The car entered a gated community of sprawling villas and stopped in front of one in particular. Seth led Ondine inside.

As soon as they stepped through the door, a butler and a housekeeper approached with warm smiles. “Good evening, sir,” they said in unison.

“Evening,” Seth replied, then gestured toward Ondine. “This is Mrs. Thorne.”

Ondine’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to introduce her that way.

“Good evening, Mrs. Thorne,” the butler and housekeeper chorused.

“Hello,” she managed.

“This is Milton and Cara,” Seth explained. “If you need anything at all, just ask them.”

“Alright.”

The staff took the luggage from the driver and followed them. Seth led Ondine to the elevator. “The ground floor has the living room, kitchen, dining room, and a sitting room,” he said as they ascended. “Second floor is bedrooms and the study. Third is the gym, fourth is the home theater. There’s also a pool and a garden out back.”

“Okay,” Ondine nodded, taking it all in.

He showed her to her bedroom. “This will be your room. Mine is just across the hall.”

The housekeeper placed Ondine’s suitcase inside.

“If there’s anything you need, let Milton or Cara know,” Seth said, then turned and went to his own room.

Ondine opened her suitcase, intending to unpack her clothes and toiletries, but Cara stepped forward.

“Allow me, Mrs. Thorne,” she said in a gentle tone.

Ondine waved her off. “It’s fine, I can do it myself. You can get back to your duties.”

“Of course,” Cara said. “The clothes in the wardrobe are all new, prepared in your size. The skincare products on the vanity were also delivered today. Mr. Thorne arranged for everything.”

Ondine glanced at the vanity and saw it was covered in products from high-end brands she’d only ever seen in magazines. She was stunned by his thoughtfulness. “Okay, I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

Cara smiled. “It was my pleasure, Mrs. Thorne. I’ll leave you to it. Please call if you need anything.”

[Don’t be silly. We’re best friends. Just make yourself at home.]

[Okay.]

[I was going to have dinner with you and come back with you, but something came up at my Boreal jewelry store that I had to deal with. So sorry!]

Zaria had a natural talent for design, winning awards for her jewelry even in middle school. Her family had opened a boutique for her as soon as she turned eighteen, with its flagship in Riverdale and a new branch that had opened in Boreal a couple of years ago.

Just as Ondine was about to reply, another message came through.

[It’s so weird. I’ve never had an emergency before that required me to handle it personally. Why today of all days?]

Ondine’s fingers paused over her screen as a thought flickered through her mind.

Her breath caught.

No, it couldn’t be…

It had to be a coincidence.