The Mistress Who Took Everything

ch 12

The official notice came in the afternoon. Damian stood in the study, the document still in his hand. He’d read it twice, then a third time.

Full custody request.

His grip on the paper sharpened.

Across the room, Alina sat calmly reviewing another file as if this were just another day at the office.

“You’re serious,” he said, disbelieve creeping into his voice.

“I told you I was.”

“You’re trying to take her away from me.” Alina finally looked up.

“No.” A brief pause. “I’m trying to protect her from instability.”

“That’s what you think this is?” he snapped. “You’re punishing me,” he accused.

Alina tilted her head slightly. “If I were punishing you, it would look very different. This is me trying to do what's best for my daughter and you can't stop me from doing that.”

Later, the tension trailed them like a shadow into every room.

Lily sat in the living room, her homework untouched once more. Her leg bounced nervously while her fingers tapping against the page.

Serena approached slowly. “Do you need help?”

Lily shook her head, too quickly. “I’m okay.”

But she wasn’t. Anyone could see that.

Serena hesitated, then sat down anyway. “You can talk to me,” she said gently.

Lily let out a small laugh but there was no humor in it. “That’s the problem,” she replied. Serena frowned slightly. “I talk to you,” Lily continued. “Then Mom gets upset.” She swallowed. “I talk to Mom…” A brief pause then, “And everything feels… heavy.” Her voice cracked.

“I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Serena’s chest tightened. “You don’t have to choose,” she said softly.

Lily turned to her, her eyes weary. “That’s what everyone keeps saying.” A moment passed,“But it doesn’t feel true.”

From the doorway, Alina had heard everything. She didn’t step in. She just watched and left. That evening, they all sat at dinner, same table and same seats.

But no one felt like they belonged there anymore. Lily barely ate, Serena remained silent while Alina kept her distance, and Damian watched not just Alina or Lily, but Serena.

The way Lily leaned toward Serena without even realizing it. The way Serena softened around her. The way Alina kept her distance even when she was right there.

“You’ve gotten close,” he said out of blue. Serena looked up caught off guard.

“I… care about her,” she replied.

Alina didn’t move, but she was listening.

Damian leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. “That’s the issue. This was never supposed to go this far.”

Serena’s breath caught. She looked at him. “I didn’t force anything,” she said.

Lily pushed her chair back suddenly. The sound sharp.

“I can’t do this.” Everyone froze in place. “I can’t sit here like this anymore,” she said, her voice shaking.

“Lily..” Serena started.

“No,” Lily snapped, her eyes filled with tears.

“You said I don’t have to choose,” she said, looking at Serena then she turned to Alina. “And you said everything is fine.” Her voice broke. “But it’s not!”

Tears fell freely now. “You’re all lying!”

That was the truth no one wanted to hear. Lily looked at Damian. “Say something!”

He opened his mouth, then shut it.

“You won’t even try to fix it,” she whispered.

Then she turned and ran upstairs. The sound of her door slamming echoed through the house and no one dared to follow her.

Damian stood but he didn’t go after her. He looked at Alina. “What do we do?”

Alina held his gaze. “We stop pretending this isn’t broken.”

That was the first honest thing said in a long time.

Upstairs, Lily cried into her pillow alone