Chapter Five: Noticing Her
614 Words
The wind on the balcony was cool against Alina’s skin. She gripped the stone railing, her chest tight from the encounter with Amelia. Her sisters never missed a chance to remind her she was the unwanted one even now, dressed in elegance, married into wealth, she still felt like the outsider.
She took a deep breath, blinking up at the stars. She needed strength. Not for them for herself.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Damian’s voice said behind her.
Alina stiffened, then turned slowly. “I just needed air.” His brows were drawn slightly. “Did something happen?”
She hesitated. “No… I’m fine.”
“Liar,” he said bluntly.
Her eyes widened a little, and she looked away. “It doesn’t matter.”
Damian leaned against the railing beside her, unusually silent. Then, in a rare moment of softness, he spoke without looking at her.
“They shouldn’t treat you like that.”
Alina turned her head to him, surprised. “You noticed?” He nodded. “I notice more than you think.”
Her chest tightened. She didn’t know how to respond. For weeks, he’d been distant, almost cruel with his coldness. But now was that a hint of concern?
Before she could speak, the door slid open again and Lucas stepped onto the balcony.
“Oh. Sorry—didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, though his eyes lingered on Alina longer than necessary.
Damian straightened, his posture stiff. “You did.” Lucas chuckled. “Noted.” Then he turned to Alina. “Your sisters are asking for you. Something about a photo.”
Alina looked to Damian.
“Go,” he said flatly.
She nodded and followed Lucas back inside.
Inside the ballroom, the guests were beginning to move toward the long tables set for dinner. Alina found her sisters near the grand staircase, where photographers were snapping pictures of social elites.
“There you are,” Anita said, clearly annoyed. “They’re taking group photos of family.”
Amelia stepped in, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “We didn’t want you to miss it.”
Alina forced a smile and stood beside them. As the camera flashed, she felt like an accessory in their perfect picture present, but not wanted.
Across the room, Damian watched the scene with unreadable eyes.
His mother appeared beside him. “She’s fragile,” she said coolly. “Are you sure this was a good idea?”
Damian didn’t respond.
Vivienne sighed. “Well, if she breaks, it’ll reflect on you. Just remember, she wasn’t supposed to be the bride.”
“She’s my wife now,” he said quietly. “That’s all that matters.”
Vivienne raised a brow at the steel in his tone but said nothing.
That night, back at the estate, the silence between Damian and Alina returned.
She stepped into her separate bedroom and paused at the door. Before closing it, she glanced at him down the hall.
“Goodnight,” she said softly.
He looked up from his phone. “Goodnight, Alina.” And for the first time, there was a warmth to the way he said her name.
She smiled faintly, closed her door, and leaned against it. Maybe, just maybe, the ice was beginning to melt.
- Writer
