Fated to the Sapphire Alpha

Chapter 11: Friends for Enemies

Mishi POV

Here’s an extended and refined version of your passage to enhance clarity, flow, and emotional depth:

The crowd was overwhelming—far too many people, too many watchful eyes fixed on me. My pulse quickened with unease, amplifying the discomfort of being surrounded by strangers dressed in sophisticated attire. I felt out of place, as though I’d accidentally wandered into a world where I didn’t belong.

All I could manage was to hold onto Kyle, clinging to his arm as my legs threatened to give way beneath me. Anxiety drained my strength, especially in these kinds of social settings, leaving me to wish I possessed even a fraction of the courage and grace that Mrs. Knight embodied. She was captivating, poised, effortlessly charming—everything I wasn’t. Watching her navigate the room, I couldn’t help but wonder if following her example might somehow make me a better person. After all, my family was in shambles. My mother was in prison, and my father…well, he hadn’t even tried to understand what was happening in my life.

But Dad could’ve known if he really cared. When his current wife got into trouble, he’d moved mountains to pull her out in less than five hours. That revelation had sparked a painful hope in me, a fragile daydream that maybe, someday, he’d care enough to do the same for me. But he’d proven otherwise, prioritizing his new family over his first wife and first daughter. In the end, I was the only one still holding on to the hope that maybe things could change, even though I knew it was foolish.

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice Kyle’s gentle tap on my hand until I flinched. He smiled down at me, and I managed a weak smile back, though my mind was elsewhere, a swirl of uncertainty and doubt.

At that moment, I wasn’t sure if the throbbing in my head was from bumping into something or if my nerves had somehow brought on a nosebleed. Whatever the cause, I knew one thing: I felt as if I were hallucinating. Kyle looked like he wanted to say something, but just then, Mason appeared, taking my right hand and placing my inhaler in it. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized he’d replaced it, giving me a sense of control over my frazzled nerves.

I took a deep breath, inhaling slowly from my pump, and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, Kyle was glaring at Mason, who briefly smiled at me before adopting a matching glare toward Kyle. It was like they were silently communicating something I wasn’t privy to. That familiar feeling of exclusion washed over me—a feeling I’d experienced too many times at school. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but somehow, it did.

Pulling my hand free from Kyle’s arm, I made my way toward Mrs. Knight, only to encounter Zara, the one person I least wanted to see. She looked flawless, every inch of her demanding attention, while I likely appeared like a child who’d just come through a storm. Mrs. Knight had always been kind to me, but Zara…Zara looked at me with an unspoken hostility that felt sharp enough to cut. It was as though she wanted me to suffer.

As Zara took a step aside, she spoke in a tone laced with fake politeness, “Mishi, is there anything I can do for you?”

I clutched my inhaler tightly, willing my voice to carry so Mrs. Knight might hear me. “I… I need to speak with Mrs. Knight about something personal.” To my surprise, Zara didn’t look annoyed. Instead, her calm expression unnerved me even more.

Just then, Mrs. Knight excused herself from her circle of acquaintances and, upon seeing Zara, swiftly took her arm in a grip that made Zara visibly uncomfortable. “Miss Zara, may I have a word with you in the powder room?” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Zara nodded, clearly uneasy as Mrs. Knight led her away.

As I watched them go, my brow furrowed. Powder room? The term sounded fancy, the kind of thing that made me feel even more out of place. Wealthy families like the Knights probably had rooms and terms for everything. It was moments like these that reminded me just how poor and small I felt in comparison. Forcing myself to think positively, I muttered internally, This is fun. But I knew I was only lying to myself.

After a few moments, Mrs. Knight returned and gently took my hand, her gaze soft with concern. “Mishi, did Zara say anything to hurt you?” she asked.

I shook my head, relieved to feel her support. She seemed comforted by my response, and I found myself asking, “Could I…could I sit down somewhere? I don’t trust Kyle enough to stay by his side. He hasn’t been mean, but it’s hard to believe someone could change so quickly.” My voice wavered to a near whisper, but Mrs. Knight heard every word, her fingers caressing my hand in silent reassurance.

Guiding me to a plush sapphire-colored sofa, Mrs. Knight eased me into a seat. “I need to speak with Zara,” she said softly, “but I want you to understand that you are not defined by what your mother made you believe. In this home, you will grow to be a remarkable person, even if you can’t see it yet, Mishi.”

I felt her words settle in my heart, filling it with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to the side of my head. A sense of lightness filled me, and I felt genuinely happy for the first time in ages.

After a while, an older man sat across from me, bearing a striking resemblance to Mason. He extended his hand with a warm smile and introduced himself. “Hello there, Mishi. My nephew has spoken highly of you. My name is Malcolm, and I’m Mason’s uncle.”

I took his hand politely, my eyebrows lifting in surprise. “I’m sorry, Mason hasn’t told me much about his family. I’m…not really sure what to say.”

He chuckled, his demeanor putting me at ease as he began talking about Mason, sharing anecdotes that painted a picture of their close relationship. He even showed me a picture of a young Mason at the lake, proudly holding up a fish with a wide, toothy grin. I couldn’t help but smile at the image, charmed by the innocence in Mason’s face.

After some time, he stood and extended his arm to me. “Shall we head to the dining room, little lady? I’d be honored if you’d let me escort you.”

I smiled at his playful tone, taking his arm as he led me through the grand house. “I, um, I’m not sure where the dining room is,” I admitted sheepishly. “It’s my first time here.”

He chuckled and gave a small nod, leading me to a spacious room. But to my dismay, he led me to the head of the table—a place where all eyes would inevitably land on me. Attention was the last thing I wanted.

Looking around, I noticed Mr. Knight, Kyle’s father, speaking with Kyle, who seemed uncharacteristically anxious. Curiosity and a bit of apprehension stirred in me as I wondered what could have him so rattled. Their conversation was just barely audible over the hum of the room, and I heard Mr. Knight’s stern tone, “If you believe Zara can behave herself and won’t cause any trouble for Mishi, I’ll allow it. But Kyle, all I need is one…” He trailed off, his finger raised as if to punctuate his warning.

My stomach twisted at the tension in his words. Suddenly, my appetite vanished. A sinking feeling settled over me as the realization dawned—I wasn’t sure I’d make it out of this house unscathed.