“I want to go out and breathe some fresh air.” I pulled away the covers and moved my legs to the side.
“Let's take a few steps in the room first, OK?” Ethan asked, coming to stand in front of me and extending his hands.
I nodded, using him as support.
“You go, Ava! Very soon you'll be unstoppable." Ethan cheered as he slowly walked backward.
"I'm truly sorry for missing your appointment, Ava.” I startled at the quiet voice and turned to see Hugo leaning against the door frame. "You knew how much I wanted to be present."
It wasn't nearly convincing enough. It was work; it would always be work.
As Ethan threw him a reproachful glance, I simply shrugged, feeling the tension mounting in the room.
I forced a smile as I resumed my careful walk. "Don't worry about it. I wasn't really expecting you to make it."
That was a lie, I’d expected it—no, I hadwantedhim there and his absence felt like a punch to the gut.
"Ethan was here so everything is fine," I added and Ethan glared at Hugo once more, not even bothering to hide it anymore. "The doctor told me I could walk a little every day to build up my strength. He wants me to walk at least 30 minutes each day." I paused, turning to him again. “I desperately want to feel the fresh air on my face."
Hugo stepped forward quickly, extending his hand. "I'll take you to the gardens," he offered.
At this, I took a step back and averted my eyes. I was not in the right mood to be alone with him. "N-no, it's okay. Ethan already offered. I’m sure you have work to do."
Hugo winced. "As you wish. I will be in my study if you need me."
I looked at him leave before taking Ethan’s arms and walked slowly out of the house and to the garden, hating the nagging guilt I felt for dismissing him.
I felt my legs get tired before even reaching the end of the path leading to the back garden. I’d been walking for less than 10 minutes and I already felt worn out.
“Let’s sit for a minute," Ethan said, helping me to the bench by the roses.
Once seated, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, enjoying the cool wind on my face and the smell of the roses. I'd never realized how much I would miss something as basic as fresh air until being on house arrest.
I rested my hands on my lap and let out a sigh of contentment. “These gardens are absolutely stunning.”
“I know. I’ve never seen something quite like this." His voice carried an awe akin to mine.
I looked at him with a frown. “Why are you acting like you are discovering this place for the first time?”
“Because I am.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. “That makes no sense.”
Ethan let out a tired laugh. “Hugo inherited this house when he was… about twenty, I think?” He cocked his head to the side. “It is not part of the St-John legacy; this house belonged to his maternal grandfather. I don’t know much about Hugo’s mother, but she was of Italian nobility and her family had a lot of high-value assets in this country. This manor included.” He gestured to the land in front of us. “Father has never been invited here, either. It is Hugo’s sanctuary. No one is welcome here and I was surprised he let me in.”
“And me.”
He shook his head. “It's different for you. I still have a hard time believing it, but…”
“Yeah.” I looked away and sighed.
"How are you doing, Ava? Really?" Ethan asked, a note of concern in his voice.
I shot him a surprised glance.
"I'm—"
"And don't say you're just fine because I can see right through you and you're miserable. Almost as miserable as that snobbish SOB," he jerked his head toward the house.