The Inherited Stranger

"Thank you for coming today. And... my condolences for your uncle's passing," said Mr. Smith, the family lawyer who had served the household for over a decade. His voice was calm, but his eyes carried the weight of something more than just grief.

​"Miss Elena," he continued, sliding a crisp white envelope across the polished mahogany desk. My name was inked boldly on the front, the handwriting unmistakably my late uncle's. "He asked me to deliver this to you personally. His final instructions."

​My throat tightened as my fingers hovered over the letter. Something about the way Mr. Smith avoided my gaze told me this wasn't just any letter. My fingers trembled as I broke the seal and pulled out the paper.

​Dear Elena,

​If you're reading this, it means I am no more. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this earlier, but I wanted you to have this after I was gone. You've been like a daughter to me since I took you in, and I want you to know I'm proud of you. This letter contains the will to an island I have left behind for you-Erténa Island. There are rules you must follow once you arrive, and you will not be alone...

​"What?!" I screamed, slamming the paper onto the table. "I have to live there for a year with some rando?" The name, Lucas Vance, was written in bold, unforgiving letters.

​"I'm sorry, Elena, but those were your uncle's instructions," Mr. Smith said calmly, seeing the desperation in my eyes as I sat speechless.

​Who the hell is Lucas Vance, and why does he get to stay on my island?

​

Lucas's POV

​

The crash of the ocean waves was the only sound I heard as I stood at the edge of Erténa Island. The wind tugged at my shirt, carrying the faint scent of salt and earth. This island was supposed to be my escape, my solitude. But solitude never lasts long, does it?

​Mr. Smith's call still echoed in my head. "You won't be alone there, Lucas. The late Mr. Alden made arrangements."

​Arrangements. That was one word for it. Shackles was another.

​I clenched my jaw, folding the letter tighter in my hands until the paper crumpled. A stranger, some girl I'd never met, was about to share my exile. Her name was Elena Hayes. I had no idea who she was, but if she thought this island was going to be hers, she was in for a surprise. Erténa wasn't just an island to me. It was the only place where my sins could be buried. And now, she was coming to dig them up. I reached into my pocket, grabbed my phone, and made a call.

​"Get everyone ready to welcome our expecting guest," I said into the phone. "Elena, huh? Let's see what you're about."

​Elena's POV

​I drove back home, the will a chaotic blur in my mind. I had lived with Uncle Frederick, his wife Clarissa, and