Chapter 149
Stepping out into the world after being with Nathan for an extended period is always a jarring experience.
及零
After weighing the risks of getting caught in the west wing–whether it would be worse to be found with Nathan or alone–we decide it’s safer if I sneak back to my room by myself.
We can’t risk any suspicion about what’s going on between us.
I make it down the stairs without being spotted, and relief washes over me as my foot touches the floor at the final step.
I press my hand to my chest, willing my pounding heart to cease. I glance down at my left hand, and I scoff at the irrational sadness that hits me at the sight of my bare ring finger.
I’ve been engaged for less than six hours, and I’m already missing my ring?
I can hear the soft chatter and musical clinking of cutlery coming from the dining hall, signaling that the girls are at dinner.
My stomach rumbles, and I consider joining them. But then I remember the look on Eliza’s face earlier this morning.
I know I owe her an explanation, but I can’t give it to her until I talk to Lara. The abject betrayal on Lara’s face makes my stomach churn with something that’s not hunger.
I spin on my heels and head to the east wing.
My mind swirls, planning how I’m going to fix the rift that’s torn open between me and my friends, thanks to Lucas fucking Ashford.
One thing is glaring—I have to tell Lara the truth.
It would hurt her, but there’s no way I can happily run off, leaving my friend to marry a monster. Eliza, too, needs to know what family she’s marrying into.
I have no doubt that Peter will take care of her, but she shouldn’t go into it blind.
When I arrive at my room, I use the intercom to call the kitchen and request that my dinner be brought up.
I lie on my bed, a giddy smile plastered on my face.
It’s a little hard to worry about the unpleasant interactions ahead when my mind keeps shifting to my time with Nathan.
I slip the velvet box out of my pocket and bite back a squeal as my engagement ring winks up at me.
I’m getting married.
A pang of sadness pierces through me when I glance at the empty side of the bed. I wish June was here. She’d be so excited, maybe even more than I.
But when Nathan and I leave, we’ll take her with us. The three of us will be a family–and then Nathan and I will have children of our
own.
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Chapter 149
I cover my lace, squealing as I kick my feet against the bed.
I can’t believe this is the trajectory my life is taking. It’s almost too good to be true.
A knock snaps me out of my ditzy daydream, and I sit up, shoving the velvet box under my pillow.
“Come in!”
The door opens and Lucy steps in, holding a tray of food.
My stomach grumbles and my mouth waters. Although Nathan provided ample food for lunch, our…activities afterwards burned those calories right off.
“Oh, I’m starving,” I say as Lucy moves towards me.
My gaze shifts from the tray to her, and I frown slightly when I notice the way she’s walking–stiff and jerky. Like she’s in pain.
“Are you alright, Lucy?” I ask.
She gives me a watery smile, and her voice wobbles when she answers. “I’m fine.”
My frown deepens as I take her in. Her blonde hair, which is usually in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, is wild and loose around her shoulders. Her eyes are slightly red and watery, and God, her whole body is trembling.
“Are you sure?” I stand and take the tray out of her hand.
I turn around and deposit it on my bed before turning back to her. I press my palm to her forehead. “Your face is red. Do you have a
fever?”
“I said I’m fine.” She reaches up to swat my hand away from her head.
It drops to my side, and I sigh. “But you don’t look-”
I freeze, my gaze drawn to the sliver of her neck revealed beneath her unbuttoned collar.
She takes a step back, but my hand flies out and grabs her collar, holding her in place.
She inhales sharply. “Miss April?” Her voice is a shaky whimper, but I ignore her, unable to focus on anything but the diamond gleaming
around her neck.
“What,” I say lowly, “is that?”
She tries to close her collar, but I don’t relinquish my grip.
“Answer me, Lucy,” I whisper.
“It’s…a gift.”
My eyes snap up to hers. Her blue eyes are wide and pleading, tears brimming on the surface, tremors running through her body.
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Chapter 149
Slowly, my other hand reaches up and I undo her second button, baring the necklace to my eyes.
And thix–on exclusive partnership with Marrow Fine Jewelry. A 9 carat diamond necklace, crafted in 14k gold.
It’s mistakable, the necklace.
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“Who gave you this?” I ask, my voice a low tasp.
Lacy jerks away from me, and I release her collar. She holds it close, but the sight of the necklace is already burned in my brain.
“Who, Lucy?” I ask, even though it’s a useless question–I already know the answer.
I remember Lucas taking the necklace after I rejected it, slipping it into his pocket. I remember the gold bracelet Sarah wore–too expensive a piece of jewelry for a maid to own.
I like my playthings to have pretty things.
“Lucy,” I gasp in horror.
She begins to shake, tears spilling down her cheeks. “It…it hurts,” she whispers.
My heart cracks open.
“What hurts?”
She shakes her head. “I…c–can’t say no. He gets m–mad if I say no. And he makes me“-she hiccups-“k–keep…it inside me while I work, and it hurts. He makes me wear my hair down, and he grabs me when I’m walking down the hall, and he-”
She breaks down, her entire body heaving with sobs.
My hand slaps over my mouth as silent tears roll down my cheeks, and nausea swims in my stomach.
Oh God. Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.
I was so grateful when it felt like Lucas was done with me.
But that was because he found something else to occupy him.
A new plaything.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
