Chereads / BRIDE of THE MIST / Chapter 16 - Tale of Sarah (Lilly’s daughter)

Chapter 16 - Tale of Sarah (Lilly’s daughter)

Years pasted and Lilly gave birth to a pretty child and named her Sarah.Sarah grew up to become a very ambitious young lady and Hardworking.

Sarah had never been to the island before. It was a remote place, shrouded in mist, surrounded by treacherous waters. But she was drawn to it, inexplicably drawn to the promise of adventure and escape.

She had been hired as a tutor for the wealthy Pembroke family, who owned the island and its sprawling estate. Sarah was eager to begin her new job and start a new chapter in her life.

As she stepped off the boat and onto the dock, she was greeted by James Pembroke, the head of the family. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes and dark hair that fell across his forehead in a tousled manner. He was handsome, but there was something unsettling about him, something that made Sarah uneasy.

"Welcome to our island, Miss Carter," he said, extending his hand.

Sarah took his hand, feeling a shiver run down her spine. "Thank you, Mr. Pembroke. It's lovely to meet you."

James smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Please, call me James. And let me show you to your quarters. I'm sure you're eager to settle in."

Sarah followed James through the mist, feeling a sense of trepidation. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to this island and its inhabitants than met the eye.

Little did she know, she was about to embark on a journey of love and mystery that would change her life forever.

Sarah settled into her new role as tutor, teaching the Pembroke children and getting to know the other staff members. She found herself drawn to the island's natural beauty, the misty cliffs and rocky shorelines, the lush forests and hidden coves.

But there was a sense of unease that lingered, a feeling that she couldn't shake. The Pembroke family was polite but distant, and James himself was elusive, disappearing for days at a time without explanation.

One evening, Sarah was walking along the cliffs, trying to clear her head. As she gazed out into the misty sea, she saw a figure approaching from the shoreline. It was James, and he looked different somehow, his eyes dark and haunted.

"James, are you okay?" she asked, approaching him.

He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I'm fine, Sarah. I just needed to clear my head."

They stood in silence for a moment, the mist swirling around them.

"Sarah, I know we've only just met, but I feel like there's a connection between us," James said, his voice low.

Sarah felt a flutter in her stomach, but she pushed it aside. "James, I'm here as a tutor, nothing more."

But James didn't seem deterred. "I understand that, Sarah. But there's something between us, something that I can't ignore."

Sarah pulled away from him, feeling uncomfortable. "I think it's best if we stick to a professional relationship, James."

James nodded, but Sarah could tell he was disappointed. As she walked back to the estate, she couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake in coming to the island.

Days turned into weeks, and Sarah settled into her routine on the island. She taught the children, explored the beaches and forests, and tried to keep her distance from James.

But it wasn't easy. James was always there, watching her, drawing her in with his enigmatic presence. And despite her best efforts, Sarah found herself drawn to him too.

One evening, James invited Sarah to dinner in the estate's formal dining room. The table was set with crystal glasses and silver cutlery, and the room was lit

Sarah couldn't help but feel nervous as she made her way to the dining room. She had never been invited to a formal dinner before, especially not in such an opulent setting.

As she entered the room, James was already there, waiting for her. He looked dashing in his suit, his dark hair neatly styled and his blue eyes sparkling.

"Sarah, you look beautiful," he said, offering her his arm.

Sarah blushed, feeling self-conscious. "Thank you, James. You look quite dashing yourself."

They took their seats at the table, and Sarah was surprised to see that there were only two place settings. It was an intimate dinner, just the two of them.

As they ate, James talked about his family's history on the island, about the generations of Pembrokes who had lived there before him. Sarah listened, fascinated by the stories of love and loss, of triumphs and tragedies.

And then, in a moment of vulnerability, James opened up to her.

"Sarah, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice low.

Sarah looked up, curious. "What is it, James?"

James took a deep breath. "I've always felt like an outsider in my own family, like I don't belong here. And then, when I met you, it was like everything fell into place. I've never felt so connected to anyone before."

Sarah felt her heart skip a beat. "James, I-"

But before she could finish, the door burst open and a figure appeared in the doorway.

It was Charlotte, James's sister, and she looked terrified.

"James, you have to come quick," she said, panting. "There's been an accident."

James jumped up from his seat, his face pale. "What kind of accident? Is everyone okay?"

Charlotte shook her head. "It's Mother. She's fallen down the stairs. I think she's hurt badly."

James turned to Sarah, his eyes pleading. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I have to go. Will you come with me?"

Sarah nodded, her heart racing. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but she couldn't just sit there while someone was hurt.

Together, James and Sarah ran through the mist, their hearts pounding. They had no idea what lay ahead, but they knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

As they arrived at the grand foyer of the manor, Sarah could see the panic in James's eyes. He rushed to his mother's side, who lay at the bottom of the grand staircase, her body twisted in an unnatural way.

Sarah felt her heart drop as she approached the scene. She had seen her share of accidents working as a nurse, but this one looked particularly grim.

James's mother, Lady Pembroke, was a tall, elegant woman with graying hair and a regal air about her. But now, as she lay there, her face contorted in pain, she looked vulnerable and frail.

Sarah knelt beside her, taking her pulse and checking her breathing. She quickly determined that Lady Pembroke had a broken leg and several bruises.

"We need to get her to a hospital," Sarah said, looking up at James.

"I'll call for an ambulance," he said, rushing to the phone.

As they waited for the ambulance to arrive, Sarah tended to Lady Pembroke's injuries as best she could. She knew the woman needed proper medical attention, but they had to make do with what they had.

It was a tense wait, with Lady Pembroke moaning in pain and James pacing back and forth, his face etched with worry.

Finally, the ambulance arrived, and Lady Pembroke was rushed to the hospital. Sarah and James followed in his car, their hearts heavy with fear and uncertainty.

As they sat in the waiting room, waiting for news of Lady Pembroke's condition, James turned to Sarah.

"Thank you for coming with me," he said, taking her hand. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Sarah smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "I'm just glad I could help."

They sat in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Sarah couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. She had only just arrived on the island, but already she was swept up in a whirlwind of love and mystery.

As the hours ticked by, Sarah couldn't help but feel a connection growing between her and James. It was as if they were two puzzle pieces that had finally found each other.

But Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on beneath the surface. She didn't know what it was, but she knew it was something that would change everything.

The night passed in a blur for Sarah, with James by her side the entire time. Lady Pembroke's condition had stabilized, but she was still in critical condition, and the doctors were keeping a close eye on her.

As the sun began to rise, Sarah and James decided to take a walk outside to clear their heads. They strolled through the gardens, the mist still clinging to the air, the plants glistening with dew.

Sarah felt a sense of calm wash over her as she took in the beauty of the island. It was as if the troubles of the world had faded away, and all that was left was the gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves.

But as they walked, Sarah noticed something odd. There were strange symbols etched into the trees, symbols she couldn't decipher.

"James, do you know what these symbols mean?" she asked, pointing to the nearest tree.

James frowned. "I'm not sure. My grandfather used to talk about them, but he never explained what they were for."

Sarah felt a chill run down her spine. There was something ominous about those symbols, something that made her feel uneasy.

As they continued to walk, Sarah noticed something else. They were being watched. She couldn't see anyone, but she could feel eyes on her, following her every move.

"James, do you feel that?" she asked, her voice low.

James nodded, his expression serious. "I've felt it too. It's been happening for a while now."

Sarah's heart raced. She didn't know what was going on, but she knew they needed to be careful.

As they turned to head back to the manor, a figure appeared out of nowhere. It was a tall, gaunt man with piercing eyes and a wild mane of hair. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"James Pembroke," the man said, his voice low and menacing. "I've been waiting for you."

James tensed up, his hand going to his pocket as if to reach for a weapon. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man laughed, a hollow, humorless sound. "I'm the one who knows your family's secrets. And I'm not afraid to use them against you."

Sarah's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the exchange between James and the strange man. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew it couldn't be good.

"What secrets?" James demanded, his voice cold.

The man took a step closer, his eyes flashing with malice. "Your family has a long and bloody history, James. You know that better than anyone. And I know all about it."

James took a step back, his face paling. Sarah could see the fear in his eyes, and it made her heart ache.

"We have nothing to hide," James said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The man laughed again, the sound echoing through the mist. "That's where you're wrong, James. You have everything to hide. And I intend to find out what it is."

With that, the man disappeared into the mist, leaving James and Sarah standing there in stunned silence.

"What was that all about?" Sarah asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," James replied, his voice heavy with worry. "But I have a feeling it's connected to my family's past."

Sarah didn't know what to say. She could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on her, suffocating her with its intensity.

As they made their way back to the manor, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settling over her. She knew that something was coming, something that would change everything.

The next few days passed in a blur for Sarah. Lady Pembroke's condition had improved, but she was still in the hospital, and James was beside himself with worry.

Sarah did her best to comfort him, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every time she went outside, she felt eyes on her, following her every move.

One afternoon, as Sarah was wandering through the gardens, she stumbled upon a hidden alcove. It was tucked away behind a thicket of bushes, and she would have missed it entirely if not for the glint of light reflecting off something shiny.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Sarah pushed the bushes aside and stepped into the alcove. What she saw took her breath away.

There, hidden away from the rest of the world, was a small altar. It was covered in symbols and candles, and Sarah could feel the weight of their power as soon as she stepped inside.

As she examined the altar, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was connected to the strange symbols she had seen etched into the trees.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Panicking, she quickly ducked behind the bushes, her heart racing.

It was James. He looked around the alcove, his eyes scanning the area, before finally settling on the altar.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath.

Sarah watched in silence as James examined the altar. She could tell he was just as perplexed as she was.

As he turned to leave, Sarah stepped out from behind the bushes, her heart in her throat.

"James, what is this?" she asked, gesturing to the altar.

James looked at her, his eyes narrowed. "I don't know. I've never seen it before."

Sarah could see the confusion and worry etched into his face. She knew that they were in over their heads, but she couldn't bring herself to leave it alone. Something about the altar was calling to her, drawing her in.

As they made their way back to the manor, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding settling over her. She knew that they were getting closer to the truth, but she didn't know if she was ready for what that truth might be.