The Mistress Who Took Everything

ch 10

The silence didn’t stick around for long. Evening settled restlessly over the mansion. Lily sat in the living room, her book wide open but unread. She kept glancing toward the staircase and the door, back and forth restless.

Serena walked in, moving slowly. “You haven’t done your homework,” she said gently.

Lily didn’t look up. “I will. Can you help me later?”

Serena softened. “Of course.”

From across the room, Alina watched. Then she chimed in. “No.”

Lily froze while Serena went still. Alina stepped forward, her presence filling the room. “I’ll help you.”

Lily looked up, frustration flaring instantly. “I didn’t ask you.”

That was new.

“I know,” she said quietly. “But I’m still your mother.”

“I know that!” Lily shot back. "You always remind me that everytime. Her voice cracked slightly. “But you’re not… you’re not... ” She stopped.

She stood up, her hands trembling slightly. “You’re not the same!”

Serena stepped in quickly. “Lily, don’t...”

“No!” Lily snapped, pulling away. “I’m tired of this! I'm tired of you acting like everything is normal!” Lily shouted, tears streaming down her face. “It’s not normal!” she continued. “You’re always watching, always controlling, always...” She broke off, her breathing uneven. “I liked it before,” she whispered.

Alina’s chest rose and fell slowly. “Before what?” she asked.

“Before all this. Before you changed.”

Serena stepped closer to Lily. “Maybe she’s just scared,” Serena said softly, trying to help, trying to explain. Alina turned her head slowly, her gaze locking onto Serena.

“Don’t.”

One word, clear warning.

But Serena didn’t stop. “She doesn’t understand what’s happening,” she continued.“She just needs.."

“Stop.” Alina shouted.

" You think you provide that?” Alina asked.

“I think I help,” Serena replied.

Alina stepped forward, closing the distance instantly. “You are temporary,” she said. “And you’re acting all high and almighty.”

Serena’s breath caught. “Your daughter needs more than control,” Serena shot back. “She needs warmth.”

Alina’s eyes darkened. “You think I don’t give her that?” she asked.

“I think you’re too busy fighting to notice what she needs,” Serena replied.

The deadly silence hung in the air.

“Enough! You two.” His loud voice exploded through the room. Everyone froze. He stepped forward, anger evident on his face. “This has gone too far,” he said looking at Alina.

“That’s enough,” he snapped. “You’re tearing this family apart.”

Alina let out a quiet breath. “You already did that. You replaced with this good for nothing woman”

Lily flinched.

“That’s not what this is,” he replied.

Lily’s voice broke through. “Stop it!”

Everyone turned to her. She was fully crying, shaking. “I hate this!” she shouted. “I hate all of this!”

She looked at Alina, then to Serena lastly to Damian. “You’re all making me choose!”

A heavy silence followed. Alina stepped back slowly. She looked at Lily. “I’m not asking you to choose,” she said softly.

“But you are!” Lily cried.

No one dared to speak because she was right, and deep down everyone knew it. Lily turned and ran upstairs. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the house. Then a door slammed shut.