174 — The Adams family

I know Julian said I didn’t need to worry, but the moment he drove beyond the iron gates of the villa, my heart rose to my throat.

My trembling hands clutch the fabric of my dress while my eyes linger on the landscape around us. The estate is so big that we need to drive for at least ten minutes along the long stone road.

The surrounding forests bring me a strange sense of peace like we are outside the world. It’s hard to believe that Julian’s family has a forest on their property, and I wonder what it must be like to explore it.

The lowered window lets a refreshing breeze into the car, and I inflate my lungs, hoping that this will somehow boost my courage.

When I finally see the magnificent classical mansion, my heart skips a beat. It’s simply majestic. In fact, it even looks like a castle. The large white pillars add a sophisticated, antique aesthetic that matches the family’s influence. But it’s no wonder the villa is so i