Chapter 8

Riley's POV

I sat at the dinner table, feeling like a small fish in a big pond. The nobles around me were all chatting and laughing, but I couldn't help feeling like an outsider.

Meredith, Damon's girlfriend, was sitting across from me, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of disdain and amusement. She didn't miss a beat to openly taunt me about not fitting in.

"You're really something, aren't you?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, who would have thought that a little runt like you would be sitting at the same table as us?"

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, but I tried to keep my cool. I knew that Meredith was just trying to get under my skin. And I wouldn't allow her to have that advantage over me, dealing with her kind of person wasn't new to me.

The triplets got up to speak privately to Mr. Crestwood, and Meredith's demeanor changed. She leaned in close to me, her voice taking on a menacing tone.

"Listen, runt," she said. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but you need to be careful. You're not like us, and you never will be. You're just a little plaything for the triplets to amuse themselves with."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Meredith's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. I exhaled loudly, trying to calm myself. I wouldn't allow her words to get to me. People like Meredith are always known for being petty.

"You need to get out of here while you still can," she continued, seeing I wasn't bulging. "Run away, little runt. Save your life.” She paused then whispered. “You don't know what harm could befall you if you keep hanging around here.”

‘Save my life?’ My mind raced even as I tried to ignore her statements.

I felt a surge of fear, but I tried to push it aside. I wasn't going to let Meredith intimidate me. Showing my fear in front of a despicable person like her would only make her taunt me more.

As the dinner dragged on, I found myself growing more and more anxious. I needed to get out of there, to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the dinner table.

So, I excused myself and slipped out onto the balcony. The cool night air was a welcome relief, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Just as I turned to lean against the railing, I saw Kirk standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed intently on me.

My heart skipped a beat as he stepped forward, his movements fluid and predatory.

"Riley," he said, his voice low and husky. "I've been looking for you."

Looking for me?

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he approached me, his eyes burning with intensity.

"I want to marry you," he confessed, his voice firm. "Tonight. I promise you, I'll give you a better life than any of my brothers can."

A better life? Was that why he thought I'd marry him? Just because he promised me a better life. I swallowed, turning to look into his eyes.

I felt like I was drowning in his brown eyes, unable to look away.

And then, he leaned in close, his lips inches from mine.

Was he going to kiss me? My mind raced hard. I tried to pull back but it felt like a force was holding me in place.

Just as he was about to sealing his lips with mine, Norman appeared out of nowhere, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Kirk, what the hell are you doing?" he growled, his voice felt like it vibrates the whole building.

I could see the vein in his forehead rise and fall. Kirk must have noticed his dangerous look also.

He stepped back, his eyes still gluing to mine. He then brought his best smile, now facing Norman who now stood just a few feets from us.

"I'm just trying to make her happy," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

But Norman wasn't having it.

"Get away from her," he snarled, his eyes flashing with anger.

Kirk raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Or what?" he said, his voice dripping with contempt.

Norman's eyes narrowed, his face twisted in anger. "You know exactly what," he growled.

The tension between the two brothers was palpable, and I felt like I was caught in the middle. I took a step back, trying to defuse the situation.

"Stop," I said, my voice firm. "Just stop."

Norman's eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of understanding. But then, his face hardened again, and he turned back to Kirk.

"This isn't over," he snarled.

Kirk just smiled, his eyes glinting with the now familiar contempt. "I'm counting on it," he said.

And with that, the two brothers stormed off in opposite directions, leaving me feeling bewildered and confused.

I took a deep breath, trying to process what had just happened. Kirk had asked me to marry him, and Norman had intervened, claiming that I was his. But what did it all mean?

I felt like I was caught in some kind of crazy feud, with no way out. Would I be the one to cause a rift between these brothers? And to make matters worse, I had no idea what I wanted. Norman was the first that captured my attention, but then Damon came by, and now Kirk? It feels like a heavy load is pressing me down.

I stood there, trying to make sense of it all, then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Mr. Crestwood standing behind me, a concerned expression on his face.

"Riley, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

I nodded, trying to compose myself. "Yes, I'm fine," I said.

But Mr. Crestwood's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "Don't lie to me, child," he said. "I can see the confusion in your eyes. You're torn between the three brothers, aren't you?"

I felt a surge of embarrassment, but I nodded, unable to deny the truth.

Mr. Crestwood's expression softened, and he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, child," he said. "You'll figure it out. Just follow your heart."

With that, he patted my shoulders once more then left.

I sighed heavily while looking at his retreating figure, I couldn't help but wonder if it was really that simple.