But until that time comes, I will continue to be her pawn, pretending that I don’t know her, keeping my head down, and focusing on my future.
Which is all I think about as Jules and I finish our morning chores before heading back to the staff wing.
As we meander down to the floor Jules’s and my suite is on, she throws her arm around my shoulders and squeezes. “I’m so glad it’s you who filled the position and as my suite mate. My last one was so uptight and kind of a bitch, so it’snice that you’re not … well, that.”
“I’m glad too.” I chuckle, leaning into her touch, but I don’t feel any warmth, not deeper than the surface of my skin.
I’m not sure why. It’s just been that way for so long.
I don’t remember the last time my bones truly warmed. Maybe a hug from my dad.
I enter the code into the keypad on my door, hearing it unlock. Twisting the knob, I push it open, and my eyes bulge out of my head.
My body freezes in place, and without thinking, I shove Jules back into the hallway so there’s no chance of her seeing who is lurking inside.
“Oww. What are you doing?” She gasps, stumbling backward.
Panic floods me, anxiety taking the reins of every cell inside me. “It’s not ready yet! The dress isn’t ready! I’ll show you tomorrow. I promise.”
“What? I’m sure it’s?—”
Slipping inside, I shut and lock the door, cutting her off mid-sentence, not giving her a chance to argue or weasel inside.
“Cirella!” Jules calls out. “Ugh. Text me, you brat!”
Her footsteps fade away, and I finally bring myself to address the elephant in the room.
“How did you get in here?” My arms cross over my body, palms caressing my abdomen for any sense of comfort, my thumb softly brushing back and forth.
“Is that any way to greet your mother?” Adrianna’s evil smile stretches across her red-painted lips.
“You’re not my mother.” My voice is small, shrunken down, and weak.
I don’t even mean to do it. IwishI wouldn’t. But I know fighting with her and pushing back will only do more harm. Talking back to her at all is risky enough, and I’m sure she’ll be punishing me for it how she sees fit.
Her mouth curls, and she steps toward me, gripping my jaw in her iron grasp. “Watch your mouth, you littlerat. How dare you?!”
Tighter and tighter, she squeezes, hard enough until tears form in my eyes. But I don’t make a sound or a peep. It’ll only make this all worse.
“I’m doing you a favor by letting you work here—don’t forget that. The next time you disrespect me, I’ll add another Chamberlain familytrinketto the pile of broken glass in that house. Is that what you want? To destroy what you have left of your family?” she threatens.
If I wasn’t one hundred percent certain she’d follow through, I’d spit in her face.
She’s the only one with keys to my family home. She’s the one with the power. Her name is on the deed. I just have to get through this next month.
“I-I’m sorry.” My voice breaks, tears tipping over the edge of my lashes and rolling down my cheeks.
No sorrow or empathy shows in her gaze, only hatred.
“Good. I just came to see the progress on my gown. You’d better have it done in time for the party, or I will burn that house to the ground.” Tightening her grip once more, she mocks the fake name she’s forcing me to use. “I mean it, CirellaMatthews,” she sneers,“if you fail me, I will burn everything you care about until only ash remains. And then I’ll bury you with it. Right where you belong.”
“Yes, ma’am, I understand,” I whisper.
She releases me, and my head falls, my eyes following, avoiding her gaze at all costs. My skin hums, vibrating with anxious anticipation.
My eyes squeeze tightly, ready for her strike.
Will she slap me like last time? Or lock me out of the house for a night like she used to when I was younger?
