Chapter2 The Accusation
1437 Words
“Arora, how could you?”
My mother’s voice reached me before she did.
The drawing-room doors flew open, and she swept inside wearing last night’s gown, her hair slightly disheveled and dark mascara gathered beneath her eyes.
She looked as though she hadn’t slept at all.
Maybe she hadn’t.
Or maybe she was simply very good at looking the part.
I stood beside the cold fireplace in a silk robe someone had given me, my arms folded tightly across my stomach.
“Mother!”
“Don’t.”
She pressed a hand to her chest and turned straight toward Edward.
“I am so sorry, Edward. I truly don’t know what has gotten into her.”
Behind her, my father entered.
He moved more slowly, hands buried in his pockets.
He didn't look at me.
That hurt more than my mother’s accusation.
I waited for him to say something.
Anything.
But he didn't.
Edward stood near the windows, his arms crossed over his chest. Morning light fell across one side of his face, leaving the other in shadow.
“I don't want an apology,” he said. “I want an explanation.”
My mother lowered her eyes.
“Of course.”
“How did my wedding night end with the wrong sister in my bed?”
Her lips parted.
Then she sighed.
“She’s always been jealous of Lilian.”
The words came too easily.
My stomach tightened.
“Mother.”
“She has.” My mother looked at Edward with the sad, understanding expression she used whenever she wanted people to believe she was being reasonable. “Ever since they were children. Lilian was always the one people noticed. The pageants, the attention, the boys…”
She glanced toward me.
“Arora never complained. That was the problem.”
I stared at her.
“You're saying I was jealous because I didn't complain?”
“You watched your sister receive everything.”
“And?”
My mother's expression hardened for the briefest moment before the sorrow returned.
“Quiet resentment can be dangerous.”
“That isn't true.”
My hands tightened beneath the robe.
“I have never resented Lilian.”
“Then explain what happened.”
My father finally spoke.
I turned toward him.
He was looking at me now, but there was no anger in his eyes.
Only exhaustion.
“Just tell the truth, Arora.”
“I am telling the truth.”
He looked away.
That tiny movement told me more than any accusation could have.
He had already chosen his side.
Maybe he'd chosen it before he walked through the door.
“I don't remember what happened after eleven last night,” I said. “I don't know how I got to Edward's room. I don't know why I'm wearing this ring. But I didn't plan any of it.”
Edward's expression didn't soften.
“Then explain it.”
“I can't.”
“That’s the problem.”
“I know.”
The words barely left my mouth before the door opened again.
Lilian walked in.
She wore a pale robe, her hair loose over her shoulders. Her eyes were swollen and red. She looked exhausted.
The moment she saw Edward, her face crumpled.
“Edward.”
She crossed the room quickly.
He barely had time to turn before she slipped her arms around him.
He caught her automatically.
I looked away.
Of course he did.
She was his wife.
Or at least, she was supposed to be.
“I woke up alone,” Lilian whispered against his chest. “I didn't understand what had happened. I thought…”
Her voice broke.
Edward's hand moved over her back.
“What did you think?”
“I don't know.”
She pulled back and wiped beneath her eye.
“Someone must have…”
She stopped.
Her gaze landed on me.
For a moment, something passed between us.
Then she looked at Edward again.
“I don't understand how Arora ended up wearing my dress.”
My breath caught.
“What?”
Lilian's chin trembled.
“You were in my room, Arora. On my wedding night. Wearing my dress and my ring.”
“I don't know how that happened.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to believe what I'm telling you.”
Her eyes filled again.
“I would never accuse my own sister without reason.”
Something in the way she said sister made my skin prickle.
“You think I did this to you?”
My voice came out quieter than I intended.
“Lilian, I would never—”
“Then how did you end up in my dress?”
“I don't know!”
The words burst out of me.
Everyone went silent.
My mother's hand flew to her throat.
I forced myself to lower my voice.
“I've said that since I woke up. I don't know how I got there. I don't know what happened after eleven. But nobody has asked me what happened.”
I looked around the room.
“Everyone keeps asking why I did it.”
No one answered.
Edward watched me.
For one brief moment, I thought he was actually listening.
His expression shifted.
Not much.
Just enough to make me wonder if, finally, he saw that I was as lost as he was.
Then Lilian made a small sound beside him.
Edward looked down.
She leaned against him, and his arm tightened around her.
Whatever doubt had appeared in his eyes disappeared.
“I've heard enough.”
My heart sank.
“Edward, please.”
I stepped toward him.
He looked at me.
“Enough.”
He didn't shout.
He didn't have to.
“Your own mother says you've resented your sister for years. Your father won't defend you. Lilian is standing here trying to understand why her wedding night ended this way.”
His gaze dropped briefly to the ring on my finger.
“And your only answer is that you don't remember.”
“Because that's the truth.”
“Maybe.”
The word surprised me.
Then his expression hardened again.
“But I'm not going to stand here and pretend this makes sense.”
“I never asked you to pretend.”
“No. You simply expect me to believe you.”
“I expect you to give me a chance to find out what happened.”
His mouth tightened.
“I don't know what game you and your family are playing.”
“My family?”
He gave a cold smile.
“Your mother says you've been jealous of Lilian for years. Your father won't even defend you. And somehow, on the night I marry her, I wake up beside you.”
He stepped closer.
“You're asking me to believe all of that happened by accident?”
“I’m asking you to believe I don't know.”
His eyes stayed on mine.
“I don't.”
There was something final in his voice.
“I've heard enough.”
I swallowed.
Then I looked at my mother.
She immediately turned her face away.
My father stared at the carpet.
Neither of them met my eyes.
Something inside me sank.
I'd spent my entire life believing that no matter how complicated things became, my family would at least hear me out.
Now I understood how little that belief was worth.
“Fine.”
My voice sounded strangely calm.
“Believe whatever is easiest.”
I turned toward the door.
I couldn't let them see what was happening to my face.
I took one step.
Then another.
And stopped.
Something had caught my attention.
Lilian was still pressed against Edward, her face buried near his shoulder.
But she was looking at me.
Her tears were gone.
So was the trembling.
For half a second, the mask slipped completely.
Her lips curved.
Not kindly.
Not sadly.
But a small, satisfied smile.
A smile meant for me alone.
Then she lowered her eyes, softened her expression, and murmured something against Edward's chest.
I stood there, staring at her.
She looked innocent again.
If I hadn't seen it, I might have believed her.
I walked out without saying another word.
My footsteps carried me down the corridor, but my mind remained in that room.
That smile.
That single, fleeting smile.
I replayed it again.
And again.
Until there was no room left for doubt.
Lilian knew.
She knew exactly what had happened last night.
And whatever she was pretending to be…
The heartbroken bride, the innocent sister, the victim.
She wasn't innocent.
Not even close.
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