Chapter 9
978 Words
Lila and Edrick kept talking like they hadn't seen each other since forever, while the staff kept walking up and down, taking our luggage in.
I tried to busy myself with my phone, but my eyes kept flickering towards Lila and how her hands brushed Edrick's shoulders every now and then.
The moment she left, the house fell quiet. I could still smell her perfume in the air. Sweet and soft, like she wanted to leave a piece of herself behind.
Edrick didn’t look at me. He was still standing near the door, his jaw tight. I sat on the couch, holding my glass of water, pretending to scroll through my phone like I didn’t care.
He finally spoke. “Get up.”
I looked up at him. “Excuse me?”
“We’re going to our room.”
Our room. The words sounded so wrong. I followed him up the stairs, my feet dragging against the polished floor. The hallway opened into a wide bedroom that looked like something out of a dream. Tall windows, silk sheets, gold frames, everything too perfect for people who couldn’t stand each other.
He turned to me and said flatly, “This is where we will be for now. We can switch to a different villa if this one gets too boring.”
I frowned. “We? I want a separate room.”
He gave me a hard look. “You can't have that.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” I snapped. “This is a private island, Edric. We don’t even have to pretend when no one’s here.”
He took a step closer, his tone low and cold. “You don’t get it. My father has people watching us. He’s making sure this marriage is real. One mistake, one rumor, and he’ll destroy everything. So if you care about your little act, behave.”
I laughed bitterly. “Right. Because if I don't, Daddy won't let you have your inheritance.”
His eyes darkened. “You think this is about money?”
“It usually is,” I said, lifting a brow.
For a moment, I thought he was going to yell. Instead, he took a sharp breath and turned away. “Just stay out of my way,” he said, his voice low. “You can play the perfect wife when we’re in public. But here, stay quiet. Don’t ruin this for me.”
He walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
I stood there for a long time, staring at the floor, my heart pounding. I hated how he made me feel small. I hated how calm he looked while saying all that.
Later that night, I finally unpacked. I sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through my phone again just to feel less alone. Edrick wasn't in the room, and that brought a sense of peace. The sea breeze moved through the curtains, soft and quiet.
Then my phone lit up. Mom.
I hesitated before picking up. “Hello?”
Her voice came sharp and impatient. “Alina,
Do you know how upset Aria is? Why are you still there? Can't you make an excuse and come back to switch?”
I froze. “Why am I still here? You forced me here!”
“Don’t talk to me like that. Aria is very upset, Alina. I'm scared she'll fall ill again. Can’t you find a way to switch back before things get worse?”
I laughed under my breath. “And how do you suggest I do that? Swim back?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she said. “We just need to figure out something before your sister ends up in the hospital. You know she's pregnant.”
I rolled my eyes. So everyone knew about the pregnancy except for me. And they let me take her place without telling me something so crucial. Do these people even consider me family?
“I don’t care,” I said quietly. “You put me in this. You all did. I'm not going to try to ruin this marriage for Aria’s sake. But if you push me again, I’ll tell Edrick the truth.” I stood up, hoping that pacing around the room would quench my anger.
“Mom, you know what will happen if they know we deceived them.” I didn't need to explain that part, but a family as wealthy as the Vales would make sure everyone one of us paid.
There was a sharp pause. Then her tone turned cold. “You’re being ungrateful, Alina.”
“Ungrateful?” I whispered. “I never wanted to be part of this. You are the ones being ungrateful. Not me!” I yelled.
Mom was silent for a moment. Then she opened her mouth and I regretted hearing the words she spat. “Okay, fine. Just stay in your lane till we figure this out. Please, stay away from Edrick, you know your sister is already pregnant for him. Let's not complicate things.”
My heart broke.
“I'm not a slut. Keep the preaching for your beloved Aria. She needs it more. And, let's hope the baby is Edricks.”
I ended the call before she could answer. My hands were shaking. I placed the phone face down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
The night outside was calm, but inside me everything was loud, the anger, the hurt, the ache of being trapped in someone else’s mess.
The man they were so desperate for wasn't even in the room with his supposed wife. He was probably busy with Lila out there.
Fuck.
I turned off the light and lay down, the sound of the ocean filling the silence.
Tomorrow, I promised myself, I’d stop caring.
About everyone.
But that was yet another lie.
- Writer
