The Mistress Who Took Everything

ch 11

The house didn’t recover, it just… settled like dust after something breaks.

Lily didn’t come down for dinner. No one called her right away. Alina sat at the dining table, her posture straight. The untouched plate in front of her had gone cold. Serena stood near the window restless, while Damian poured himself a drink one after another. No one spoke.

“I’ll go check on her,” Serena finally said.

“No.” The word came from Alina.

Serena turned. “She’s upset. She shouldn't be alone”

Alina lifted her gaze slowly meeting hers. “She’s not alone.” A pause. Then, “She has a mother.”

That hit hard

Serena’s jaw tightened a bit. “But she doesn’t feel like she does right now.”

Damian stepped in. "Enough "

“She’s right,” Serena said quietly.

That was her second mistake.

Alina stood up. “You’ve said enough for today,” she continued, “I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”

Their eyes locked, sharp and unforgiving. Damian exhaled sharply. “This isn’t helping.”

“No,” Alina agreed. “It isn’t.” Then she turned and walked upstairs with certainty. Outside Lily’s room, she paused.

There was hesitation. Then she knocked, no answer. She opened the door anyway. The room was dim and quiet. Lily lay on the bed, turned away, her back facing the door. Alina stepped inside and gently closed the door

behind her.

“Lily.”

No response.

“I know you’re awake.” A small shift was all she got. Alina moved closer and sat at the edge of the bed. “I shouldn’t have let it get that far,” she said.

That was the closest thing to an apology.

Lily’s voice came out small. “You didn’t listen.” Alina didn't interrupt “You don’t listen anymore,” Lily continued. “You just… decide things.”

There was a pause. Then, “You didn’t even show up today.”

Alina felt a tightness in her chest. “I told you someone would. ”

“But not you,” Lily interrupted, her voice breaking.

Alina looked at her. “I’m trying to fix things,” she said softly.

“But it’s only making it worse,” Lily whispered.

For a moment, Alina had no response. Because she knew, It was true.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Lily said.

That was the only c***k that mattered. Alina reached out lightly placing her hand on Lily’s shoulder. “You won’t.”

Lily turned slightly, tears still in her eyes. “Then stop making me choose.”

Alina’s hand stilled, because that was the one thing she couldn’t promise.

“I’m not asking you to choose,” she repeated again.

Lily shook her head. "You are."

Alina stood slowly. “I’ll give you space,” she said.

And this time, she meant it. She left the room quietly.

The next morning, everything looked normal again: The breakfast, the routine.

But this time, Lily didn’t sit next to Serena. She sat alone avoiding everyone gaze.

.

Serena noticed immediately. “Lily... ”

“I’m fine,” Lily replied quickly not letting her finish.

Alina watched the two. Damian watched too, but his attention shifted from Lily to Serena. “You should give her space,” he said to Serena.

Serena blinked surprisingly. “I was just...”

“I know.” A pause. Then, “But this is between us.”

Serena went quiet.

Later that day, in the the study, Alina sat across from Mr. Hargrove. “I want to move forward with full custody,” she stated firmly.

“That will escalate things,” he warned. "And you know very well Mr. Voss will contest it.”

Alina’s expression didn’t change. “Let him.” A pause. Then, “I’m done waiting.”

She signed the document. The sound of the pen, soft but final.