ch4: Manipulation
897 Words
Alina stepped out of her room after Damian left and noticed the house was unusually quiet. Her gaze instinctively drifted toward the living room. It was empty.
A faint unease settled in her chest. “Lily?” she called out. No response. She walked further in, her steps controlled.
Then, she heard a Serena's voice coming from the garden. Alina paused near the glass doors, her hand resting lightly against the frame. She didn’t step out yet, she listened.
“…you can tell me,” Serena was saying gently.
Alina’s eyelashes quivered.
Lily’s voice followed. “Tell you what?”
“Anything,” Serena replied. “Things you don’t want to tell your mom.”
Alina’s fingers curled slightly.
“I tell Mom everything,” Lily said, a hint of hesitation creeping into her voice.
Serena hummed softly. “Really?”
“Sometimes,” Lily admitted.
Serena’s tone softened even more. “That’s perfectly normal, you know.”
“How?”
“Well…” Serena hesitated just enough to sound cautious.“Moms can be… busy or tired. Or they don’t always understand right away.”
Alina’s jaw tightened.
“She understands,” Lily said quickly, glancing toward the house.
“Of course she does,” Serena replied smoothly. “I didn’t mean she doesn’t love you.” Serena continued, her voice gentle, almost comforting. “I just think… it’s nice to have someone who listens all the time.”
“You listen,” Lily said. Soft. Trusting.
Serena smiled, you could hear it in her voice. “I try.”
Alina stepped out. The glass door slid open softly. Both of them looked up.
“Mom!” Lily face brightened immediately
Serena didn’t move, flinch or look guilty, she mockingly smiled at her. “Alina.”
Alina walked toward them slowly, her gaze moved from Lily to Serena. “It’s getting late,” she said. “Lily, you should go to the house.”
Lily hesitated for a moment, reluctant to leave then, she nodded. She stood up and brushed off her dress lightly. But before she left, she looked back at Serena. “Will you stay?” she asked.
Serena’s smile softened. “Of course.”
Lily nodded and ran back inside. Alina watched her go, and then turned back to Serena. “You shouldn’t do that.”
Serena tilted her head slightly. “Do what?”
“Speak to her like that.”
Serena smiled faintly. “I was just having a normal conversation with her.”
“No,” Alina replied. “You were planting doubt.”
Serena straightened slowly, her expression loosing softness. “You’re reading too much into it.”
“Am I?” A beat passed. Alina stepped closer. “She’s a child,” she continued. “She trusts easily.”
Serena’s gaze sharpened just slightly.
“And that bothers you?”
“Yes.” The answer came instantly.
Serena studied her for a moment. Then softly said, “Or does it bother you that she trusts me?”
Alina didn’t respond immediately but her eyes said enough. Serena smiled. “I’m not trying to take your part as her mother, am being nice to her,” she said.
Alina held her gaze. “You don’t have to try.” She left.
Serena’s smile faltered as she watched her go.
At dinner, Lily sat between them, her small hands fidgeting with the napkin infront of her, talking and laughing. “Can Serena sit with me later?” Lily suddenly asked.
The question made them froze. Alina looked up. So did Damian. Serena remained still, watching and waiting.
“For what?” Alina asked calmly.
“To draw,” Lily said. “She said she would show me something.”
A moment of silence passed, Alina inhaled slowly. “No.”
Lily blinked, hurt flickering across her small face. “Why?”
“Because you have homework to do.” Her tone didn’t change.
“But it’s just drawing...”
“Lily.” Her tone gentle and final. "Your homework comes first."
Lily’s lips pressed together and looked down. “…okay.”
The disappointment was clear and Serena saw it.
“It’s alright,” Serena said gently. “We can do it another time.”
Lily nodded, but her spirit had dimmed. Damian’s gaze moved to Alina. “You’re being unreasonable.”
Alina met his eyes. “No,” she replied. “I’m being her mother.”
“And I’m her father.”
“Yes,” she said calmly. “Then act like one.”
Lily looked between them confused, and uncomfortable.
Serena reached out slightly, placing a hand on Lily’s arm.
“It’s okay,” she murmured.
After dinner, Lily sat in her room, flipping through her sketchbook. Alina stood by the door watching her.
“You’re upset,” she said gently.
Lily didn’t look up. “I’m not.”
Alina stepped closer and sat beside her. “It’s okay if you like spending time with her." She reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I’m your mom,” she added. “And that won’t ever change.”
Lily’s hand stilled. “I know,” she replied.
Alina held her gaze for a moment longer, searching her face. “Just... don’t forget that, okay?”
A long heavy pause. Then Lily nodded. “…okay.”
- Writer
