The Mistress Who Took Everything

ch 13

No one got much sleep that night. The house was eerily quiet. Behind closed doors, thoughts morphed into decisions.

Morning crept in. Alina was already awake, already dressed, already made up her mind. She stood in the doorway of Lily’s room, watching. Lily was still asleep curled slightly into herself, tear tracks still faint on her cheeks.

Alina stepped inside quietly, careful not to wake her. She sat beside the bed looking at her face, memorizing it. Then, she reached out and brushed a strand of hair away gently. “I’m going to fix this,” she whispered.

It didn’t sound like a promise; It felt like already made decision.

Downstairs, Damian stood in the kitchen, his coffee untouched. Serena walked in slowly, neither of them said a word. Finally, she broke the silence. “I didn’t expect this,” she said.

Damian let out a quiet breath. “Neither did I.”

“Do you regret it?” Serena asked.

He didn’t answer immediately. That was answer enough.

Serena looked down slightly. “I didn’t come here to destroy anything,” she said.

Serena swallowed. Just then Alina walked in. “I’ve made a decision,” she announced. Both of them turned to look at her. “I’m moving out.”

“What?” Damian said, bewildered.

“I’ve arranged another place where I'll be staying,” she continued.

“You’re leaving?” Serena blurted out before she could stop herself. Alina’s gaze flickered to her briefly. “I’m creating space.”

“That’s the same thing,” Damian snapped.

“No, It's not.” Alina replied firmly. “I’m not taking Lily with me.”

That changed everything. Serena blinked surprised.

Damian frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve requested temporary separation of residence,” she explained. Her tone professional . “Lily will stay here. For now.”

“Why? And you have requested for the full custody of her,” Damian asked, his brow furrowing.

Alina met his eyes. “Because right now…” She hesitated. “She doesn’t feel safe choosing me.”

Silence hung in the air That was the most painful thing she had said.

Upstairs, Lily stood at the top of the stairs listening. “You’re just going to walk away?” Damian asked. " From your daughter."

“No,” Alina said quietly. “I’m stepping back. If I stay like this, I lose her completely.”

“So I will give her space.”

“And what?” he asked. “You think she’ll come back to you?”

Alina hesitated before answering. “Yes.”

Not just hope, but with belief.

Lily’s hand tightened on the railing. Serena spoke carefully. “This might hurt her more.”

Alina looked at her. “It might.” A pause lingered. “But what we’re doing now is already breaking her more.”

Damian ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up.

Lily stepped down slowly, and they all turned to her

She looked at Alina. “You’re leaving?”

Alina softened. “I’m giving you space.”

“I didn’t ask for that,” Lily said.

“I know.”

“Then why?”

Alina walked closer. “Because I love you enough to step back.”

Lily’s eyes filled with tears again. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“No,” Alina admitted. “It doesn’t.”

That raw, confusing truth hit harder than anything else.

“Are you coming back?” Lily asked.

Alina held her gaze. “Yes.”

No hesitation. No doubt. Lily didn’t look relieved, she looked scared.

Alina picked up her bag and walked to the door. Then stopped for a second, not turning back and left.

The door closed softly.