Chapter 4 - The House on the Hill
The drive was silent, filled only with the gentle hum of the car's heater blowing warm air over the girls' frozen limbs. Arthur watched them in the rearview mirror. Cara had already fallen asleep, her head resting on Zelda’s shoulder, while Zelda remained awake, watching the passing city lights with cautious wonder.
They pulled through the massive iron gates of the Vance Estate, a sprawling manor surrounded by snow-covered gardens. When Arthur carried them inside, the warmth of the grand foyer washed over them like a physical embrace.
Mrs. Higgins, Arthur’s longtime housekeeper, gasped when she saw the state of the children. "Oh, Mr. Vance! The poor lambs!"
"They are my family, Mrs. Higgins," Arthur said, his voice ringing with a newfound clarity and purpose. "Please, let's get them into warm baths, find some clean clothes, and have the chef prepare something warm and easy on their stomachs."
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For the next hour, the manor was a whirlwind of gentle care. Zelda and Cara were washed, their tangled hair combed out, and they were dressed in soft, oversized flannel pajamas. When they were brought down to the small dining room, a feast of chicken soup, warm bread, and hot cocoa awaited them.
Arthur sat across from them, watching them eat. The stark contrast between their tiny frames and the opulence of his home was jarring. He realized that while his wealth had grown exponentially over the years, his life had been entirely empty until this very moment. Looking at his nieces, he vowed to use every resource at his disposal to ensure they never felt abandoned again.
