It fell onto my plate with a loud crash, shattering into tiny pieces. Water spilled everywhere, soaking my dress and the tablecloth. The sound of breaking glass was enough to silence the room, and all eyes turned to me.I froze, unable to move as all eyes shifted to me. Every single person at the table was staring, their expressions a mix of surprise, disgust, and amusement. I felt my face burn with embarrassment, the heat crawling up my neck and into my cheeks. My stomach churned, and my heart pounded so loudly that I thought it might burst out of my chest.“Good job, human,” Zara’s voice cut through the silence. “Humans are so pathetic. She can’t even get through dinner without embarrassing herself.”Her words were like a slap, and I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. I opened my mouth to respond, but my voice betrayed me, shaking as I mumbled a half-hearted apology. “I’m… I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean—” But my words didn’t seem to matter. The laughter started almost immediatel
The next morning felt different, like the air itself had shifted. The soft sunlight poured into the room through the slightly parted curtains, casting a golden glow across the walls. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make me feel like maybe today could be better. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My body ached, and my heart still felt heavy, but somewhere deep inside, there was a flicker of determination that hadn’t been there the night before.I had spent most of the night crying until exhaustion took over, but as I lay in bed afterward, staring up at the ceiling, I made a decision. I couldn’t control how people here treated me, but I could control how I responded. If they wanted me to crumble, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. I was going to make the best of this situation, no matter how hard it got. I owed it to myself—and to my baby.I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet brushing against the cold wooden floor. The chill sent a small shiver up my spine, b
I blinked, startled, and quickly wiped at the corners of my eyes. “I’ll be right out,” I replied, my voice trembling slightly but firm enough to carry through the door.Taking one last look at my reflection, I adjusted the towel wrapped around me. My hands lingered on my stomach for a moment longer before I dropped them to my sides. The room felt a little brighter now, the soft light streaming through the curtains casting a gentle glow over everything.I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping my towel tightly around me, and walked into the bedroom. The soft scent of warm bread and fresh fruit hit me immediately, the warmth of it wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. My eyes were immediately drawn to the breakfast tray sitting neatly on the bedside table. A small teapot, a plate with buttered toast and fruit, and a tiny jar of jam had been arranged with such care, as though to make me feel at home. Beside it, a white sundress was spread out across the bed. It was beautiful in it
I caught my reflection in the mirror as I stood. The girl staring back at me looked... different. There was still a hint of weariness in her eyes, but the dress and sandals gave her an air of quiet strength she didn’t know she had. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I smoothed down the fabric of the sundress.“I can do this,” I whispered to myself, though my voice wavered slightly.The thought of meeting Meredith still made my chest tighten, but I reminded myself that I’d faced worse. Even if she wasn’t kind, I would get through it. I had to. This wasn’t just about surviving anymore; it was about finding a way to live, even in a place where I didn’t belong.I sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the breakfast tray closer. My stomach grumbled loudly, reminding me just how hungry I was. The food smelled amazing—warm bread, fresh fruit, and a small plate of eggs. I didn’t even hesitate as I picked up a piece of bread and took a big bite.The flavors hit my tongue, and I
Margaret nodded approvingly. “Exactly. And I’m sure you’ll do just fine, dear.”I couldn’t help but feel a small wave of relief at their kindness. It was the first real warmth I’d experienced since I’d arrived here, and it felt almost foreign. But I was grateful. More than I wanted to admit.“So, what’s the plan for today?” I asked, trying to shift the topic. I didn’t want to dwell on my discomfort for too long.Meredith smiled. “Well, my mother mentioned something about shopping. I think it would be good for you to get some clothes that fit a little better and make you feel more comfortable.”I glanced down at the sundress I was wearing. It was lovely, but it was the only dress I had, and I didn’t want to wear it every day. “That sounds like a good idea,” I said, trying to sound more confident.Margaret smiled warmly at me. “I’m glad you’re open to it. You’ll be in good hands with Meredith. She knows the best places around here.”I glanced at Meredith, feeling a mix of nervousness an
We finally stopped at a small boutique, the door chiming softly as we stepped inside. The store was cozy, with soft lighting and rows upon rows of neatly arranged clothes. The scent of fresh fabric and new clothes mixed in the air. I glanced around, feeling a bit out of place. A few women were shopping, and I immediately felt their eyes on me. I told myself not to let it bother me, but the nervous flutter in my chest wouldn’t go away.Meredith, or Mer, as she had asked me to call her, was already pulling dresses from the racks and holding them up to me. She smiled brightly. “This one will look perfect on you,” she said, holding up a soft pink dress. Her confidence was contagious, and I tried to match her energy.I turned my head slightly to glance around the store, trying to keep my mind occupied. I noticed a few women eyeing us, their whispers barely audible over the soft music playing in the background. My face heated as I caught snippets of their conversation. "She’s nothing more t
We made our way to the fitting rooms, and Mer stood outside, her eyes bright with excitement. "I'll be right here if you need anything," she said, giving me a thumbs up before I disappeared behind the curtain. The fitting room was small but cozy. The walls were a soft beige, and the lighting was flattering, casting a warm glow. I hung the dress on the hook, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over me. What if it didn’t look right? What if it just made me stand out even more? Shaking off the thoughts, I pulled the dress over my head. The fabric was soft and smooth, the green shade a perfect contrast to my skin tone. When I turned in front of the mirror, I was surprised at how well it fit. The dress flowed gracefully over my body, hugging in just the right places. It wasn’t too tight, not too loose. It felt like it was made for me. I stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The dress made me feel… different. Not just beautiful, but confident. For the first time since I’d arrived at
“You okay?” Mer asked, her voice teasing. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”“I’m fine,” I said quickly, though my voice betrayed me.Mer gave me a knowing look. “Don’t let Zara get to you. She may think she has a claim on him, but trust me, Kai’s not going to mark her.”I didn’t know what to say to that, so I stayed quiet. Instead, I focused on the sparring match in front of me, letting myself get lost in the raw power and intensity of it.But then, as if he could feel my gaze, Kai’s eyes flicked in my direction. It was only for a brief moment, but it was enough to make my heart race. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and I quickly looked away, my face burning.Mer smirked. “He saw you.”“No, he didn’t,” I said, though I could still feel the heat of his stare.“Oh, he definitely did,” she said, her grin widening. “And he looked at you like he sees something he likes.”I didn’t know how to respond, so I just shook my head, hoping she’d drop it. They each fought well, their movements flui
Finally, he stepped aside, and I hurried past him, not daring to look back. I needed to get as far away from him as possible before I completely broke down. My chest felt tight, and my eyes stung, but I refused to cry in front of him.As I walked down the path leading away from the house, I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. The morning air was cool against my skin, and the soft rustling of leaves overhead was almost comforting. I needed this moment of peace, away from the tension and the ache in my chest. I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of my footsteps, one after the other, moving me farther from the mansion and all the confusion that came with it.My thoughts kept drifting back to Kai, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. I couldn’t get the image of him and Zara out of my head. The way he kissed her with so much passion made my heart ache. I bit my lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I was tired of feeling hurt and co
When I got to Kai’s room, I hesitated at the door for a moment. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting—maybe to find him there, waiting to talk, or maybe still asleep. But when I pushed the door open, the room was empty. A strange mix of relief and disappointment washed over me. I let out a small sigh and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind me.The room looked just as I had left it earlier. The bed was still a bit messy, the sheets rumpled from where I had been lying down. The faint scent of Kai lingered in the air—a comforting, familiar smell that made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to think about him right now, but it was hard not to when everything in this room reminded me of him.I walked over to the window, pushing the curtains aside to let the sunlight in. The morning light spilled across the floor, brightening up the space. I glanced out at the view of the garden below, watching the breeze make the flowers sway. It was peaceful—too peaceful compared to the storm of emot
We continued walking along the path, taking our time. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, warming the cool morning air, and the smell of pine and wildflowers filled the breeze. I couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter after talking to Mer, even though the ache in my chest was still there. Just having her by my side made things a little more bearable.The sound of birds singing softly in the trees seemed to match the rhythm of our steps. I noticed how the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Mer and I walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of us just soaking in the calm of the morning.Then my phone buzzed, startling me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out of my pocket, glancing at the screen. The name "Elliot" flashed across it, and I hesitated for a second before answering.“Hello?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unexpected call.“Hey, Lily! It’s Elliot,” came his cheerful, upbeat voice. I could almost pictur
Lily’s POV But then I had seen him kissing Zara. My heart had shattered right there in his office, and I couldn’t shake the image from my mind. It hurt so much. I felt embarrassed, stupid even, for letting myself hope that Kai might choose me over her.Mer was still looking at me, her eyes full of concern. I bit my lip and shook my head slowly. “It’s nothing,” I whispered, but the crack in my voice gave me away.Mer’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a tight hug, not saying anything. I closed my eyes, leaning into her, grateful for the comfort even if I couldn’t tell her the whole truth.It was too much. I felt like such a fool for thinking Kai could ever put me first. Of course, he still loved Zara. She was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, confident, and most of all, someone Kai had always protected. I was just... there.I couldn’t help the small sob that escaped, and Mer rubbed my back soothingly. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not re
Lily’s POV I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet, too quiet, and it took me a moment to realize that the bed beside me was empty. I turned over, my hand brushing against the cool sheets where Kai should have been. He was gone.A part of me didn’t know how to feel about his absence. Should I be relieved that I didn’t have to face him right now, or hurt that he didn’t bother to stay? My heart felt heavy, and I couldn’t decide which emotion to focus on. I took a deep breath, trying to push away the knot forming in my chest.Slowly, I sat up, feeling the familiar ache in my lower back. I moved carefully, not wanting to jostle myself too much. My hands instinctively went to my baby bump, cradling it gently. At least I wasn’t completely alone. The little one inside me was a constant reminder that, no matter what, I had someone to fight for.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching slight
Kai’s POV Lily had ran off, I felt the guilt settle over me like a heavy weight. I knew I’d made a terrible mistake, and I didn’t know how to fix it. I couldn’t get the image of Lily’s devastated expression out of my head. I hated myself for hurting her. I wanted to go after her, but I couldn’t leave Zara alone, not when she was this vulnerable.Maybe Rhys was right. Maybe Lily would be better off with someone who wouldn’t hurt her the way I did. Someone who wouldn’t make stupid mistakes and break her heart. But the idea of her being with him made my chest feel tight and my hands clench in frustration. I didn’t want to lose her, but I had no idea how to make things right.I slowly got up from the bed, moving as carefully as I could so I wouldn't wake Lily. She looked so peaceful, lying on her side with her back to me, her dark hair spread out over the pillow. I wanted to reach out and touch her, to feel the warmth of her skin and reassure myself that she was still here. But I didn’t
Kai’s POV I woke up early, long before the sun had risen. I hadn’t really slept at all, just lay there in the dark, staring at the ceiling and then at Lily’s back. She was still asleep, curled up on her side, facing away from me. Her breathing was soft and even, completely unaware of how much my heart ached.I couldn’t stop staring at her. I wanted to reach out and touch her, to pull her close and feel her warmth against me, but I knew better. I’d hurt her, and it was my fault. The guilt was eating me alive, and I couldn’t shake it.Last night had been hell. I’d tried everything to fall asleep—closing my eyes, forcing my mind to go blank, counting backward from a hundred—but nothing worked. Every time I shut my eyes, I saw Lily’s hurt expression when she called me out for kissing Zara. I couldn’t blame her for being upset. I hated myself for letting it happen.It hadn’t meant anything. I never wanted to kiss Zara. She had come into my office looking sad and miserable. I had been goin
I kept walking, not bothering to check if Kai was following me. I just needed to get away from the mess of emotions swirling inside me. My feet carried me through the hallways until I finally reached his room. Without a second thought, I shoved the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, but I didn’t bother turning on more lights. I just headed straight for the bathroom, needing a moment to collect myself.Once inside, I closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep, shaky breath. My heart was still racing from the confrontation with Kai and Rhys, and I couldn’t help but replay it over and over in my head. I pushed those thoughts away and moved to turn on the shower, waiting for the water to warm up before stripping off my clothes.Stepping under the hot spray, I let the water wash away the tension from my muscles. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, feeling the warmth seep into my skin. My thoughts were still a chaotic mess, but the steady stream of water h
We headed for the door together, but as we passed by Kai's chair, I felt it—a light, fleeting touch of his hand brushing against mine. My heart jumped, and for a split second, I almost froze. But I forced myself to keep walking, refusing to look back. I couldn’t afford to give him the satisfaction of knowing that one small touch still had that much power over me.Once we were out in the hallway, I let out a shaky breath, finally allowing myself to feel the impact of the evening. My heart was still pounding, and my hands were a little clammy. Rhys must have noticed because he gently squeezed my shoulder."You good?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.I nodded, though it wasn’t entirely the truth. "Yeah. Just... exhausted, I guess."He gave me a small smile. "That’s understandable. You’ve had a rough few days."It was time to go to sleep and I couldn’t bear the thought of sleeping in Kai’s room or my room. Biting my lip, I hesitated before asking, "Hey, um... would it be okay if