Chapter 15: A Storm Is Coming
1110 Words
Chapter 15: A Storm Is Coming
When Vivian finally woke, her breathing was shallow and her brows furrowed as if she’d just escaped a nightmare. She jolted upright in bed, panic-stricken.
Lorraine was by her side in an instant, helping her back down with calm hands and a concerned voice. “Aunt Vivian, thank goodness you’re awake.”
Vivian’s eyes landed on Lorraine and lingered for a beat too long. Without warning, her fingers clutched Lorraine’s wrist with surprising force.
Lorraine flinched.
“Did you do this on purpose?” Vivian demanded, her voice tight with suspicion.
Lorraine’s face fell in feigned confusion, and her eyes brimmed with tears. “Aunt, you’re hurting me… What are you talking about?”
Vivian’s grip loosened, realization flickering in her eyes. She looked away, muttering, “It was just a nightmare… Never mind.”
Lorraine tilted her head, playing innocent. “Do you need water?”
Vivian ignored the offer. “Why are you here alone? Where’s Yvonne?”
Lorraine’s smile returned. “Don’t you remember? Uncle Alexander and Yvonne are still downstairs, entertaining Mrs. Gu and her son.”
Vivian froze. All color drained from her face.
She swung her legs off the bed in a rush to get up, but Lorraine gently held her back. “No need to rush. You’ve only just regained consciousness.”
“I have to—” Vivian started, but Lorraine interrupted smoothly.
“You’re already too late. The engagement’s been announced.”
Vivian’s jaw fell slack. “What?”
Lorraine smiled sweetly. “It’s true. Yvonne and Lucas Gu are officially engaged. Uncle made the announcement himself over dinner.”
Vivian looked at her like she’d grown horns. The very same words Vivian had once used to convince Lorraine to accept Lucas had now been turned back on her.
“He’s kind, well-mannered, from a good family… Surely it’s a perfect match for Yvonne, don’t you think?” Lorraine asked, her tone laced with sugary poison.
Vivian could barely respond.
She tried to collect herself, but her mind raced. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. The Gu family had been carefully chosen for Lorraine—disposable enough to control, powerful enough to elevate her status. Now Yvonne had swooped in and taken the prize.
Vivian inhaled sharply. “Lorraine, you know that your uncle and I have always treated you like our own daughter. Lucas was chosen for you. Your cousin stole your engagement—aren’t you angry?”
If Lorraine hadn’t lived it all before, those words might have worked.
But she had lived it. She’d believed them once. She wouldn’t again.
“Why should I be angry?” she asked lightly. “Lucas and I never even met before tonight. But Yvonne and I? We’ve been sisters since we were kids. Why should I let a man come between us?”
Vivian stared at her, bewildered. Lorraine’s meekness didn’t make sense. Not here. Not now.
“You’re hopeless,” Vivian muttered. “Spineless. I can’t work with that.”
She stood unsteadily, adjusting her blouse. “Are the guests still downstairs?”
Lorraine nodded.
Vivian’s eyes lit with something cold and calculating. “Then help me down.”
Lorraine watched her carefully as she assisted her to the stairs, unsure what Vivian was planning. The gears in her aunt’s mind were always turning—Lorraine had learned that the hard way.
As they descended, the living room scene unfolded before them like a tableau from a well-staged play.
Alexander and Mrs. Gu were seated together, chatting like old friends. Lucas and Yvonne sat side by side, deep in flirtatious conversation. Yvonne laughed too loud, covering her mouth like a schoolgirl. Lucas watched her with a fondness that mimicked sincerity.
Vivian’s lips tightened into a line.
When Alexander noticed her arrival, his smile faltered just slightly. “Feeling better?”
Vivian forced a pleasant expression. “It was nothing. Sorry for the commotion, Mrs. Gu.”
Mrs. Gu waved her off. “We’re family now, aren’t we? No need for apologies.”
Vivian barely kept her composure.
At dinner, Alexander formally announced the engagement. The date was already set. Invitations were being discussed. Mrs. Gu even insisted on inviting the city’s most prominent families, eager to solidify the union in full public view.
Vivian attempted to object. “Isn’t that a little excessive?”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Gu replied quickly. “Your daughter is joining our family. She deserves the finest. And we want everyone to know—we recognize no one else as Lucas’s bride but Yvonne.”
The message was clear: there would be no second-guessing, no last-minute substitutions. Mrs. Gu wanted the world to know the match was final.
Vivian seethed silently, feeling her plan unravel. Beneath the table, Lucas reached over and subtly brushed his fingers against Yvonne’s. She gasped softly, cheeks blooming with color. When she turned to look at him, his smile was tender, intimate.
It was the exact smile he had given Lorraine in their past life.
And now it belonged to Yvonne.
Rain began to fall outside, soft at first, then pounding hard against the windows. Mrs. Gu hesitated about leaving in the downpour, but Alexander stood and said, “It’s getting late. Why not stay the night?”
Vivian’s eyes gleamed.
This was it. Her opportunity.
She spoke up immediately. “Of course! You’re family. We’ll have the staff prepare the guest rooms. Please don’t worry about the inconvenience.”
Mrs. Gu hesitated, but finally nodded. “If it’s truly no trouble…”
“It’s settled, then,” Vivian said, already signaling for the housekeeper.
Lorraine watched all of this unfold with quiet skepticism. Vivian’s hospitality felt too… eager.
Vivian personally arranged for Lucas to stay in the guest room beside Lorraine’s. When Lorraine raised a brow, Vivian simply smiled and said, “There are no other rooms available. Lock your door before bed, dear.”
As if that explained anything.
Yvonne pouted when she realized Lucas would be sleeping next to Lorraine’s room. “Mom, why would you put him there? What if Lorraine tries to seduce him in the middle of the night?”
Lorraine, in the process of closing her door, heard every word.
She froze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Vivian said quickly.
“You don’t? She’s always been good at playing innocent,” Yvonne muttered.
Their voices trailed off, but Lorraine’s expression hardened.
Something was happening. And it wasn’t just about petty jealousy or stolen engagements.
Vivian was planning something.
And Lorraine had no intention of being the pawn this time.
- Writer
