Chapter 2 A Replacement
780 Words
The last message came with a photo.
Lila was spinning in my custom couture gown, the fabric flaring around her, while Adrian stood behind her, adjusting the waist as if it had always belonged to her.
I stopped walking. Then I slipped my soaked phone back into my bag.
When I turned away, I tossed the broken umbrella into a roadside puddle. The gold-stamped logo on the fabric blurred almost instantly under the rain.
Headlights swept toward me in the distance. I raised a hand to shield my eyes as a taxi slowed to a stop. The driver rolled down the window. "Miss, need a ride?"
As I pulled the door open, I glanced at my phone one last time. Victor's message was still there, glowing faintly through the damp screen.
I swiped it away without hesitation. "Take me to the nearest hotel," I said, sliding into the seat. My soaked dress left a dark stain on the leather.
I ran a high fever for three days.
The private physician sent by the Hawthorne family had just left when a maid delivered the gown for the evening event. The dress in the box wasn't the one I had chosen. The neckline was cut far too low, and the waist had been altered.
"Mr. Hawthorne said you've lost weight, so the size was adjusted," the maid said quietly. "Miss Ashbourne helped select the design."
My fingers trembled as I traced the embroidery along the hem.
This had been my engagement gown. Now, Lila had laid claim to it.
My phone lit up. A message from Adrian appeared.
Adrian: Seven o'clock. Don't be late.
I stared at the screen for a long time. I typed a reply, deleted it, then typed again. In the end, I sent only one word.
Serena: Mm.
The event was held at Hawthorne Estate.
When I stepped out of the car, Lila was already at the entrance, her arm looped through Adrian's as they greeted guests.
She wore a champagne-gold gown. Around her neck hung the Hawthorne family heirloom, the Imperial Jade Necklace that should have been mine.
"Serena!" she called, hurrying over to take my hand. "Are you feeling better? Adrian was so worried."
I pulled my hand back, my fingertips cold.
Adrian stood not far away, his gaze sweeping over me briefly, indifferent, as if I were a child throwing an unnecessary tantrum.
"Come inside," he said. "We're about to begin."
The ballroom glittered under crystal chandeliers.
I stood alone in a corner as Adrian led Lila onto the dance floor.
The host's voice rang out clearly across the room.
"Thank you all for attending. Tonight, Miss Ashbourne will perform the opening dance in place of Miss Vale."
Applause erupted. My nails dug into my palm.
Lila smiled brightly, radiant under the lights. Adrian's hand rested at her waist as they moved in perfect rhythm. The jade necklace shimmered at her throat, each glint stabbing into my eyes.
When the music ended, Adrian walked toward me.
The crowd parted instinctively, every gaze turning to watch.
"Are you upset?" he asked, lowering his voice as his fingers brushed against my collarbone. "You've been ill. You shouldn't be dancing."
I said nothing.
His touch was cold, detached, like he was handling something with no real value.
Then, as if performing a trick, he produced a diamond choker. "Don't make a scene," he said. "I'll make it up to you when we get home."
The cold metal settled against my skin. I could smell Lila's perfume lingering on him.
After the event, I went straight to the guest room, and as I removed the necklace, I noticed a tiny engraving inside, LA, Lila's initials.
I stepped onto the balcony. Below, the swimming pool reflected the moonlight, its surface fractured like a shattered mirror.
I lifted my hand. The necklace traced a silent arc through the air before disappearing into the water with a soft splash.
"Go get it." Adrian's voice came from behind me.
I hadn't heard him enter.
His suit jacket was slung over one arm, his tie loosened. "That's Lila's necklace," he said, stepping closer. His fingers closed around my chin. "You've worn it. Now return it to its owner."
I wrenched free. "And the heirloom?" I asked. "Does that belong to her now too?"
"She's borrowing it for now," Adrian said, frowning. "Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"
A splash echoed from the pool.
Lila had somehow made her way into the water. She held up the necklace triumphantly, waving it toward us.
"Found it!"
Water dripped from her hair, her silk gown clinging to her body.
Adrian's gaze darkened.
- Writer
