CHAPTER 17

As I walked through the corridors, my mind was filled with the enigmatic revelations I had encountered since stepping into Misthavan. I recalled the shadowy secrets of the family's past, the heart-wrenching betrayal, and the torment that Sarah had endured. Those memories were etched into my consciousness, urging me to uncover the truth.

Reaching the Misthavan family portrait, my emotions swirled like a tempest. Sarah's false smile, which I had once seen as genuine in a previous vision, now bore the weight of her hidden sorrows. She had been a prisoner in her own home, a victim of the deceit that surrounded her. I yearned to give her the solace she had been denied.

Johnathan's image, the source of her anguish, reignited the flames of anger within me. He had torn her world apart with his betrayal, and it was his actions that had set this tragic chain of events in motion. The broken vase and the shard of porcelain served as my silent proclamation of the justice I sought for Sarah.

Leaving the shattered remnants of the vase behind, I descended the grand staircase. The corridors, once intimidating, had become the path to understanding. The mansion, with its concealed truths, called out to me like a siren, tempting me with its enigma.

The weight of unanswered questions pressed upon me, and I knew that I couldn't turn back. I had become an integral part of Misthavan's story, and its history was interwoven with my own.

With each step, I delved deeper into the heart of this mysterious mansion. The shadows whispered their secrets, and I listened with a mix of trepidation and determination. My quest for truth had become an unquenchable fire, driving me ever onward.

But it was as I entered the kitchen, in search of water and fresh air, that the most unexpected encounter awaited me. Gazing out of the window, I was met with a view of the forest. The same forest that had witnessed so much of the Misthavan family's history.

And then, a voice, gentle and haunting, spoke from behind me. "You know, the lady Misthavan used to love looking out this window."

My heart leaped, and I spun around to find Mr. John standing there, his presence unexpected and startling. I choked on my surprise, the water bottle almost slipping from my grasp.

Mr. John chuckled softly, a faint smile on his lips as he apologized for startling me. I assured him that it was fine, but my curiosity got the better of me.

He began to share stories of Sarah, revealing that she had found solace in looking out at the forest, taking walks that allowed the breeze to kiss her face and make her feel momentarily free. However, there was a tinge of sadness in Mr. John's voice as he mentioned "at that moment though," hinting at something deeper.

His revelations left me with a sense of sorrow. The woman I had seen in my visions had suffered so much, and the weight of her pain lingered within these walls. I couldn't help but ask Mr. John how he knew about Sarah's feelings and actions.

With a gentle smile, he explained, "Because I was with her on each and every one of those walks. She always asked me to accompany her."

His words deepened the connection between Sarah and the loyal butler, adding layers of complexity to their relationship. Mr. John wore the weight of his knowledge with grace, having been both a witness to her joys and a guardian of her secrets.

As he finished speaking, Mr. John turned and made his way towards the front door. I stood in the kitchen, stunned by the revelations I had just received. They were unexpected, shedding new light on the enigmatic Sarah and her bond with the ever-loyal Mr. John.

Mr. John turned back and looked at me, asking if I was coming. With a sense of determination, I tossed the empty water bottle into the trash and hurried to join him. As we stepped out of the mansion and toward the forest, a cool evening breeze enveloped us, and for a moment, we walked in silence, sharing the weight of the past and the mysteries of Misthavan.