The Mistress Who Took Everything

ch2: Lily

Her fingers lingered on the edge of the bedside table. She closed her eyes briefly.

Then, without another thought, she turned off the light and lay down on her side of the bed. The other side remained untouched. Sleep came in fragments, thin, restless, slipping through her fingers every time her mind wandered back to the same image: the woman.

At some point, the night gave in.

In the morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a soft warm glow. Alina stood by the dining table, placing a cup of tea down. Everything was arranged as usual, plates aligned, cutlery perfectly set, breakfast still warm.

Footsteps echoed from the stairs, light and quick.

“Mom!”

Alina turned immediately, smiling again since yesterday. Lily ran toward her, wrapping her small arms around her waist. Alina exhaled, her hand moving to her daughter’s hair.

“Good morning,” she said gently.

“Good morning,” Lily replied, her voice bright.

For a moment, everything felt the same.

Then... Lily's voice broke it. “Who’s that?”

Alina’s body stilled. She followed Lily’s gaze to see Serena standing near the doorway, already dressed and smiling happily. Alina straightened a bit.

“A guest,” she replied calmly.

Lily tilted her head, curious. Serena stepped forward, crouching slightly to meet Lily's gaze.

“Hi,” she said warmly. “You must be Lily.”

Lily nodded slowly, staring at her with quite interest. Serena’s smile softened. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Alina’s fingers tightened on Lily’s shoulder. “Have you?” she asked.

Serena glanced up briefly, meeting her eyes.

“Of course.”

Lily moved closer to Alina, her small hand gripping her sleeve. “Daddy said you will be staying here with us,” Lily said to Serena.

Alina’s gaze moved to Damian, who had just entered the room.

Serena laughed softly. “Only if that’s okay with you.”

Lily looked between them, then shrugged lightly. “Okay.”

Alina forced a faint smile. “Go sit. Your breakfast is getting cold.” Lily nodded and moved to the table.

Serena straightened, her gaze lingering on the child a second longer before turning away, and join in.

The clink of cutlery was the only sound heard in the room. Lily glanced at Serena more than once. Curious.

“Do you like pancakes?” Serena asked out of the blue. Lily looked up, a little surprised. “Yeah.”

Serena smiled. “Me too. I make really good ones.”

Lily’s eyes brightened a bit. “Better than Mom’s?”

The question was innocent. Harmless.

Alina’s hand stilled around her cup. Serena chuckled lightly. “I don’t know… I haven’t tried hers yet.”

Lily looked at Alina. Alina met her gaze calmly. “Eat your food.” Lily nodded and looked back down.

Later, the house was quieter. Damian had left for work. The staff moved about silently in the background. Alina sat in the living room with a book in her hands.

Across the room, Lily sat on the floor and Serena sat right beside her. Alina didn’t interrupt, she just watched them.

“Do you like drawing?” Serena asked.

Lily nodded. “I’m good at it.”

“Really?” Serena leaned closer. “Can you show me?”

Lily hesitated for a second, then turned reaching for her sketchbook. “Here,” Lily said, handing it over.

Serena flipped through the pages slowly with a soft smile. “These are beautiful,” she said gently.

Lily smiled, a little proud.

Serena tilted her head slightly. “Does your mom draw with you?”

Lily paused.

Alina’s fingers tightened around the edge of her book.

“I don’t know...” Lily said slowly. “She’s always busy.”

Serena nodded gently. “Moms get busy sometimes.”

“But it’s nice when I sit with you and we draw together, right?”

Lily nodded. “Yeah.”

Alina closed her book. The sound was soft but it cut through the room instantly. Both of them looked up.

She stood and walked toward them slowly.

“Lily,” she said calmly, “it’s time for your lesson.”

Lily blinked. “Now?”

“Yes.”

There was a brief pause, then Lily nodded and stood, brushing her hands off.

Serena smiled. “We can continue later.”

Lily smiled back. “Okay.”

Alina turned without another word. Lily followed her upstairs. The door closed behind them.

Inside the room, Lily moved to her desk, pulling out her books. Alina stood by the door for a moment watching her. Thinking. Then she spoke. “You like her?”

Lily hesitated. “She’s nice,” she said.

Alina nodded slowly. “I see.” She walked further into the room, her voice remained calm. “Did she say anything else to you?”

Lily frowned slightly. “No.”

Alina stepped closer, gently placing her hand on Lily’s head. “You know you can tell me anything,” she whispered softly.

Lily nodded, but she didn’t speak.

Alina watched her for a moment longer, then straightened. “Finish your reading,” she said gently. “I’ll be downstairs.”

Lily nodded again, already reaching for her book.

Alina turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

For a while, the house remained still. Lily tried to focus on the words in front of her, but her mind drifted. After a few minutes, she closed the book, slid off the chair, and wandered out of the room.

The hallway was quiet but downstairs… she could hear Serena’s voice. She hesitated for a second before making her way down.