Cherry Wood Manor: Part Five (special preview)

Watching your best fall for someone you hated was never easy. Eden had watched Lydia become enamored with a man too old for her, who also set off too many warning signals. But by the time this was all happening, Eden was heading to school and they couldn’t do much to halter the progress other than keeping up with Lydia over the phone. By the time Eden was through with law school, Lydia was married and had been living with the guy for ages.

Eden wasn’t allowed to come around because they were a succubus. Lydia’s husband claimed he didn’t trust Eden, he thought they would seduce them and hurt Lydia. This was far from the case, Lydia found nothing worthwhile about the man. Eden and Lydia found other ways to see each other. It was too late though, Eden worried they couldn’t save their best friend.

Lydia was excited when Eden arrived, she even ran down the stairs to greet her friend. Meanwhile, new doors were being put in, Asher’s tail excitedly whipped as he saw his cousin.

“It’s such a shame!” Eden huffed. “Those doors you had before were stunning.”

Lydia huffed. “I know. But luckily, the restorer I got them from can repair them. It’ll take her a year though, so these doors will do.”

Eden hadn’t been inside the house since Lydia’s husband had passed away. Even before that they had maybe taken two steps inside the place. Already the house had an aura around it that readiated a more welcoming glow.

“I hope the crew I selected are working out well. I’d hate to think you’re paying for some slacking low lives.” Eden cut their eyes to Asher as they said this.

“They’ve been wonderful, a blessing really. I may try to find ways to keep them around longer after the renovations are complete,” Lydia chuckled.

Eden smirked knowingly. They had worked hard to make sure each member would give Lydia something she needed, “Well you can have Asher for free, I’ll gladly give him away to you. It’s been nice having the house to myself.”

“I know you miss me,” Asher laughed after them.

Once inside, Lydia took Eden to the kitchen and they sat down at the breakfast nook. Lydia got an urgent look upon her face as Eden set her dark briefcase upon the table. “So, have you heard anything?”

“I’ve gotten a few things back.” Eden snapped open the latches to the case. “I’ve not gotten far with the police station here. They keep handing me excuses so I may have to go down there at some point.” Eden took out a folder and slid it across the table. “Your husband was certainly blowing his money on something before he died.”

Lydia took up the folder. “I’m not surprised,” she murmured as she opened it to the contents. “I had always hoped he would cheat on me and avoid that awful prenup.”

“Well, luckily, you got out of it another way. But what makes you think a smashed window leads to his mistress?” Eden asked.

“The note that was on the brick. If you want a new life, leave. I dunno, something about it doesn’t settle right with me. I don’t think someone threw that being entirely mad about a door.” She looked up to Eden. “I think they did it because they hate me, personally.”

Eden smirked. “Because you got what they felt they deserved.”

Lydia looked over the documents before her with a calm expression. “I deserved this, they’re just entitled. Everything I have I earned by living with that man. They have no idea what I went through in this house.”

“What will you do to this person if they exist?”

Lydia set down the evidence and smirked. “Well for one, sue them for damages and whatever else comes up. Not to mention file a restraining order on them that hopefully forces them from their home. I don’t care if it’s cruel, they’re trying to force me from my home too.”

Eden’s smile softened. “Don’t get your hopes up too much. But it would be nice for a home around here to become vacant so maybe Asher and I could move out of our old place.”

“I can’t believe I never met Asher until now. You always talked about him when we were young. I was quite surprised by how similar the two of you look, especially when he’s in his more feminine form.” Lydia looked up in attention when she heard Knox shouting at the front door.

Eden reached out across the table and placed their hand over Lydia’s balled up fist. “His family always traveled, that’s one reason he moved in with me while I was in law school. I needed help, and he needed solid footing.”

Her shoulders slouched and Lydia relaxed with Eden’s warm touch. She opened her hand, taking Eden’s palm into her own. “Both you and him make me feel safe.”

“I’m glad.” Eden squeezed her hand. “Why don’t you show me some of these renovations?”