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TWENTY SIX (3): Harsh Words
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2024-11-21 16:45:02Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at it absently—it was a message from one of the servants, asking if she wanted tea before bed. She quickly sent a polite decline. Tea wouldn’t fix the turmoil in her chest. Instead, she sent Lila a short text, telling her she might come and see her this weekend. Right now, Sea’s Edge seemed more inviting than ever.
She sat down at the small vanity by the window, staring at the moonlit reflection of the garden outside. Her mind wandered again to Andre. What was it about him? She hadn’t intended to let the kiss happen. She was confused and unsure of her own emotions. But then, his presence had been so consuming, so undeniable. And now she was left trying to piece together what that kiss meant. Why had she let it happen? Why had she felt so drawn to him? Her thoughts were spiraling. She knew she shouldn’t have kissed him. She didn’t even know him, not really. He was just another complica
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Her father’s silence was telling. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he paced to the side of the desk, his movements deliberate.Annabelle shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “You’ve spent so much time strategizing, trying to control everyone around you, that you’ve forgotten people aren’t pawns. Lila isn’t coming back, not for James, not for you, not for this company.”“That bridge will be crossed when we find her,” David said at last, his tone brooking no argument. “But if there’s even a chance of repairing the damage James caused, Rachel has to be gone first. She’s a distraction. Worse, she’s a liability.”Annabelle let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “And how exactly do you expect me to make that happen? Rachel isn’t going to just pack her bags and leave because I ask her to.”“That’s why I&
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With a bounce in her step, she made her way to the kitchen. Aaron and Winnie were already seated at the table—or rather, Winnie was eating while Aaron stood on his chair, trying in vain to grab a syrup jar Dominic held just out of his reach.“You’re going to be late for school,” Dominic reminded Aaron, raising an eyebrow as the boy made a desperate grab for the jar.Aaron gave up the fight when he spotted Lila. “Lila!” he shouted, jumping off the chair and rushing to hug her. He barely reached her waist, but his arms wrapped around her tightly. “Are you sleeping over again tonight?”Lila knelt slightly to hug him back. “Not tonight,” she said gently. “But I’ll come see you after school, okay?”Aaron pouted but nodded, reluctantly returning to his chair. Dominic, meanwhile, had noticed what she was wearing, and his gaze lingered on her a little too long. Lila’s cheeks burne
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The mental image of easygoing Marcus as some cruel, overbearing employer made Lila burst out laughing. She doubled over slightly, clutching her stomach as Dominic watched her with an amused expression.“You’re ridiculous,” she managed between giggles.He shrugged nonchalantly. “Ridiculous, maybe. But effective.” His gaze softened as he stepped closer, his hand sliding around her waist. His voice dropped to a low murmur. “And for the record, seeing you in my shirt is doing things to me.”Lila felt a pleasant warmth flood her cheeks, but she met his eyes with a grin. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to bring myself to give it back.”“Good,” Dominic said without missing a beat. “Because I wouldn’t even dream of asking you to.”The space between them grew smaller, their laughter fading as they leaned in. Lila’s breath hitched in anticipation,
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She met Rachel’s gaze evenly. "Some of us prefer silence over unnecessary chatter."“I’m just making an observation.”Annabelle didn’t look up from her plate. "And you seem overly interested in my mood this morning. Something you’d like to say?"Rachel didn’t hesitate, as though she had been waiting for this exact opening. "My cards have been restricted."Annabelle blinked, taking a small bite of her toast. She chewed slowly, savoring the crispness of the bread as Rachel’s words sank in. After swallowing, she finally said, "And how is that my problem?"Rachel leaned forward, her manicured nails tapping against the table. "I was out this morning to get a coffee. Just a coffee, Annabelle. And both of my cards declined. Both. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was?"Annabelle cut a piece of her toast in half, her expression neutral as she buttered it. "Sounds like you should t
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