“ You already knew ”The atmosphere between them was tense, the air cold and heavy with emotion. Lucas stared at him, the hatred and anger plain in his eyes as he waited for his father's response.“ Yes ”David slowly rose to his feet, his body moving with deliberate slowness as he closed the distance between them. The air in the room was thick with tension. Lucas stared at him. Lucas and his father stood face to face, their eyes locked in a standoff. They were both tall men, standing eye to eye with each other. Although David was a tall man himself, Lucas was slightly taller than him, towering over him with his imposing stature.Their gazes were intense and unyielding. There was a palpable tension in the air as they glared at each other. “ Where is she? ”“ You are better off without her Lucas ”Lucas took a deep breath, he tried to stop himself from yelling. He tried to keep his voice low. “ Let me ask you one last time. Where. Is. She.? ” He spoke each word through clenched tee
“ He is not coming ”A sob escaped my lips and I felt the hand around my waist tightened. It was painful but I didn't yelp in pain. We walked down the aisle, his hands around my waist. He held me close and tightly, he feared that if his grip loosened I would go but I had nowhere to go to now. My vision was unfocused as we stopped before the priest and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse it got worsest. As the priest began the ceremony, his voice was stilted and dry, the words he spoke lacking any warmth or genuine feeling. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people in holy matrimony.”He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on me, I wanted to scream out, but no sound escaped my lips. “ If anyone here has any reason why they should not be joined together, speak now or forever hold your peace.” I closed my eyes, so this was it. The end, my end. “ I do ”My eyes snapped open at the voice. Lucas entered, a gun in his right hand as
I slowly rose up from the couch, slowly pulling my hands out of his hold. He fell asleep and if I was being honest he really needed it. I stared at his handsome face, it looked like he didn't get enough sleep. I raised my hand and caressed his head before planting a soft kiss on his forehead. I wanted to take a shower and get out of this dress as soon as possible. Lucas gave me a tour of the castle earlier but I still struggled to find the bathroom and when I found it I signed in relief. I quickly made my way towards the bathroom, quickly stepping in and I stripped out of the gown letting it pile at my feet. I stepped out of it and turned on the shower. I scrubbed my face, my body. I scrubbed every inch of my body where Daniel had touched me. I only stopped when my skin started burning and it turned red. I wrapped a towel around my body and opened the wardrobe before me. I had no idea where my clothes were or if they were even here. I pulled out a white shirt which was quite big fo
I have no idea how long we stood on the balcony, embracing each other but by the time we were done I was very hungry. “ What do you wanna eat? ”Lucas asked me as he lifted me up and made me sit on the kitchen counter. “ Ummm.. Anything ”I was more than hungry to think of a particular dish, I would eat anything right now. He nodded and got into action right away. He was so skillful that I just sat there and admired him. He looked so attractive while cooking. I rested my face on my fist as my eyes followed his every move, never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined him like this. He looked so focused and beautiful. Lucas stood in the kitchen, his muscular shoulders flexing slightly as he moved around the space. He had a look of intense concentration on his face as he expertly handled the cooking, his movements smooth and practised. As he worked, the scent of the cooking food filled the air, mixing with a subtle hint of his masculine scent. His eyes flicked up occasionall
I woke up in the middle of the night. I reached out for Lucas but my hands met with nothing. He was not beside me on the bed. I sat up and found him on the balcony. He was smoking. I got out of the bed and made my way to where he stood. He had his back facing me. He must have sensed my presence behind him. He stiffed and dropped the cigarette. “ You smoke? ”I stopped beside him. Leaning my back against the railing. “ Sometimes, a little bit ”“ Oh ”I looked at several cigarette butts on the floor. “ It don't look like a little bit ”Lucas sighed. He stepped closer, I sometimes forget how tall he was. He was towering over me and I had to crane my neck to look at him. He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. “ I can't sleep ”He whispered.“ Why? Nightmares? ”He shook his head. “ I am scared that if I close my eyes and sleep, you will be gone. ” I looked at him, his eyes were closed. I didn't know how to respond to it, so I just pulled him closer. “ I am not going any
His other hand hooked with mine. I turned to look at him, he was already looking at me with his dark eyes. I always wondered what he hid behind them, something very dark, something very secret. I leaned in and rested my head on his shoulders. “ What's wrong? ”I heard his voice above me. “ Nothing, just tired ”He caressed my head. I closed my eyes. This was perfect. “ Luc.. ”My eyes snapped open instantly. I knew this voice. I looked at her, Rosie Miller was standing before us. Her gaze was entirely focused on Lucas. Lucas looked at her casually, still caressing my head. “ I prefer you call me Lucas ”Rosie's face turned red. “ I.. Ye-yeah ”Lucas said nothing, he just waited for her to continue. “ my mom wanted to meet you, we could have dinner like old times ”I stiffened. Like old times? My heart dropped. I waited for him to speak. “ No, I am busy ” I saw her clenching her hands. She opened her mouth to say something but was cut off in between by Lucas. “ Is there somet
“ I was so scared ” “ It's alright baby ”He stroked my cheeks and I leaned in, in his touch. My heartbeat has calmed down as well. “ So, will you be okay if I go and cook for us? ” “ Yeah ” He kissed my forehead and walked out of the living room. I wanted to distract myself so I turned on the TV while he cooked. “ Dinner's ready ” “ Coming! ”I jumped off the couch and walked towards the dining room. He has already served and was waiting for me. I sat across from him and dug in my food without wasting any time. As expected from Lucas Whitlock the food was delicious. I smiled as the flavours burst in my mouth. “ Is it good? ” I nodded my head. “ Perfect ” He smiled and brought the spoon to his mouth. “ Lucas ” “ Yeah? ” He looked up from his plate. I swallowed. “ Umm.. What's next? ” His eyebrows frowned in confusion. “ What do you mean? ” I took a deep breath and continued. “ Like, us? ” He dropped his spoon on his plate and reached out to hold my hand. “ We gradu
I froze. What was I supposed to do Or say? I looked over to Lucas for help but he was already trying his best to hold his laugh. Sigh. I have to think of an excuse. “ Mom, I am at a friends house ” My mother looked at me, her eyes narrowed. She didn't look convinced one percent. She didn't push me further, we talked about my school and all that stuff. Once the call ended I took a deep breath of relief. I walked towards the couch and sat beside him. “ Your mom sounds strict ”I nodded. Yes, they could be very strict sometimes. “ Yeah, my parents want me to focus on my studies and make them proud. ” “ Hm, talking about that you have never told me anything about your parents ” I realised that he was speaking the truth. We have been dating for quite some time now and I have never ever discussed my parents. “ Yeah, you never asked ”I shrugged my shoulders. “ So, tell me now ” “ Okay, what do you want to know? ” Lucas inched closer to me and draped his hands around my shoulder
It had been a week. Seven days of pretending to be Pearl. Of swallowing down the truth like a secret that might rot me from the inside out. No one noticed. Not really. They still called me by the name that wasn’t mine. Still treated me like the girl who arrived at the academy dazed and forgetful. Still saw the version of me they expected to see. But I saw it. In the mirror. In the way I stood. The way my voice had softened, lilting into the same cadence Rosie used to have when she whispered to the stars from her bedroom window. I saw it in the way my fingers reached up—absent, automatic—to tuck my hair behind my ear whenever I was nervous. Just like she used to do. Just like I used to do. Rosie was slipping out of me like light through cracked glass, and I didn’t know how to stop it. And Lucas… he noticed something. I could feel it. He didn’t say anything. But I’d catch him staring sometimes, brow creased in that quiet, careful way of his—like he was trying to
And I screamed and screamed as loud as I can to stop the voices in my head, to hush them from consuming me entirely. The room was pitch-black, but I could still see the flames. Still hear the screech of tires, the shattering glass, the last words my mother ever said to me—Rosie, close your eyes. And I had. For years. But now they were open. Wide open. And everything hurt. The door slammed open. I barely had time to breathe before he was there—Lucas, heart in his throat, panic in his eyes. “Pearl!” He was at my side, hands cupping my face like I might vanish. “What happened? Are you okay?” I couldn’t speak. Not right away. Because looking at him felt like bleeding. He was older now. Broader. More haunted. But he still had the same eyes—the ones that used to look at me like I was his world. Not Pearl. Rosie. And that was the part that shattered me most. He was holding me like I was someone else. Like I was a girl with a different name, a different story. But I
The candlelight is low. Flickering. Dying. I walk barefoot down a hallway lined with mirrors—dozens of them, tall and arched, gilded in gold that’s flaking away. The floor is marble, but my footsteps don’t echo. It’s like the air itself is swallowing the sound. Heavy. Watching. My dress clings to me, unfamiliar. Pale gold, stitched with roses. I don’t remember putting it on. Everything smells like rosewater and smoke. I pause beside a mirror. My reflection stares back, but there’s something off. I lean closer. The tilt of my head, the shape of my mouth, the line of my shoulders—it’s all right, and yet… wrong. Like I’ve seen this face on someone else. It’s me. Of course it’s me. But my stomach tightens. I force myself to look away. That’s when I see him. Daniel, standing at the far end of the corridor, dressed in black, shadows curled around his shoulders like a cloak. He holds a bouquet of roses—blackened, wilting, soaked in something that drips down his wrist.
I press the phone to my ear and glance at the stars. The rooftop is cold beneath me, slates hard against my back. The wind carries that soft chill that always makes me feel like something’s about to shift.My mom’s voice comes through the speaker, warm and clipped with concern.“You sound tired, sweetie. Are they overworking you again?”I let out a breath—half a laugh, half exhaustion.“No, it’s fine. Just a lot of assignments.”A pause.“And late-night walks,” I almost add. “And watching someone unravel.” But I don’t.She hums thoughtfully. I can hear her stirring something, probably tea. Home always sounds like comfort.“Have you made any new friends yet? You never talk about anyone there.”I hesitate, then lie.“Yeah. A few.”She doesn’t press. She never does. Maybe she thinks I’m just quiet. Or maybe she’s learned not to dig when I’m like this—floating somewhere far away from where my body is.“Your father says hi,” she says. I can hear him grumbling in the background, something a
I’ve always hated mirrors.They show too much. Too honestly.But now—Now, I can't stop staring.The girl in the glass tilts her head. She’s beautiful in that haunting, aristocratic way. Rosie Miller’s beauty was always cold, like marble warmed by candlelight.And now… it’s mine. Mother did everything so that I look like her. The cheekbones took two surgeries. The lips were easy—subtle filler and muscle memory. I even learned how she blinked. Slowly. Like she knew the world would wait for her.I lean in, brushing a lock of black hair behind my ear, her signature habit. I trace the light scar at my neck. A perfect replica from her dead body.Rosie was always the star. The one with the spotlight in her eyes. The chosen daughter. The heir. The girl people died for.But she’s dead now.And I’m not.I trace the curve of my jaw with one finger, still bruised faintly under the skin where the bone was shaved. Months of healing. Years of training. Voice lessons. Diary entries memorized. Even
The wind clawed at the windows like it was trying to warn me. I stood at the edge balcony leaning against the railing. Below, the ocean was bathed in silver moonlight, still and too perfect. A lie, like everything else lately. The moon hung low tonight, pale and sharp-edged. Pearl would say it looked like a blade. My phone buzzed once on the table. The number flashed. Cale. I snatched it up. “Report.” “Sir,” he said, voice crisp, but edged with something else. Hesitation. “ I have the report .” The cold that slid through me wasn’t a surprise—it was confirmation. I said nothing. Just waited. “She’s not Rosie,” he continued. “… she’s not the one who died in that accident.” I closed my eyes. My chest didn’t rise. I was stone now. “I had to dig deep, sir. Most of the records were burned or erased, but a few medical files survived in private storage. Enough to run a sequence. And... it matched someone else.” “Who?” My voice came out hoarse, like it hadn’t been used in days. “He
Apollo whined softly as I knelt beside him, his blue eyes watching me with quiet protest. His paw pressed against the doorframe like he understood what it meant—that he couldn’t follow me past this point. “I know,” I whispered, running a hand gently down the sleek curve of his back. “I don’t like it either. " He nuzzled my wrist, and I swallowed hard. “I’ll be back after classes, then we'll go back home, alright? You’ll be safe here.” My voice sounded too sure. Like I was convincing myself more than him. He tilted his head, ears flicking at some distant sound, but stayed close—refusing to move from the doorway. “I have to go,” I said, brushing my thumb just under his chin, where the fur was softer. “You know the rules. No panther cubs allowed in Elite Garden’s holy halls.” my phone ringed again, I looked down it was Lucas calling me. " yes, I am coming. ” That almost earned a huff from him. Almost. I smiled down at him. " it's your dad, the classes are going to start
The engine purred beneath my hand, smooth and obedient like always. The car was built for silence and speed—one of my father’s more useful indulgences. Black exterior, sleek leather interior, the kind of vehicle that announced your presence before you ever stepped out of it. Pearl sat beside me, legs crossed at the ankle, eyes on the window. The early morning light painted the world gold, but she didn’t seem to notice it. She hadn’t said much all morning. I kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting near the gearshift, close enough to brush against her thigh if I reached. I didn’t. Music played softly in the background, something mellow she usually liked. She didn’t hum along like she used to. I stole a glance at her. Eyes open, but distant. Her fingers were curled in her lap, nails tracing the lines of her skirt like she was trying to count something she couldn’t name. She looked tired—not the kind of tired that sleep fixed. The kind that lived in the bones. “You okay?” I
The next morning, I move like nothing happened. I pour coffee, feed Apollo, fold a blanket left on the couch. Lucas is in the shower, and I can hear the water running upstairs like white noise. Safe. Familiar. Grounding. But every now and then—just in the gaps between movements—I feel it again. The weight. Not heavy enough to drag me down, but just enough to notice. Like walking through air that's a little too still. Like forgetting what you were doing mid-sentence. Like something watching from the corners, but only when you don’t look directly. I tell myself I’m fine. And mostly, I am. But the dream clings. Not in vivid images—those faded as soon as I woke—but in texture. In the way I flinch when the kettle whistles. In the way I glance at the kitchen doorway without meaning to. In the way Apollo follows me from room to room, tail low, eyes tracking the corners of the ceiling as if he remembers too. I don’t tell Lucas. I make him breakfast. I brush my fingers throug