Chapter 3
When I walked into the main hall, the party was in full swing.
Lila sat in the place of honor, to the left of the host's chair, where I should have been.
She wore a gown of cloud-soft silk, a single ruby burning like a drop of blood in her hair. She looked radiant, not frail.
Julian sat right beside her, peeling grapes for her with his own hands.
Leonard raised his glass, his face, usually so cold and severe, lit up with a smile.
"Lila went to the palace today, and even the Queen Dowager praised her graciousness," he said, pride shining in his voice.
Edward was at his easel, sketching Lila, painting her delicate figure as she played the harp.
The moment I appeared in the doorway, all the laughter came to an abrupt halt.
Lila was the first to rise, her eyes instantly rimmed with tears.
"Bethany, you're back? It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have..." she said, her voice quivering, sounding so pitiful.
Julian pulled her protectively behind him, his gaze icy as he looked at me.
"What are you doing here? Haven't you caused enough disgrace?" he said coldly.
Leonard set his glass down, his brows knitting together.
"Bethany, go back to your quarters," he ordered, his voice firm.
Edward didn't even glance up, his brush never pausing on the paper.
"Lila had a rough day and needs some quiet. Don't disturb her," he said.
I stood in the doorway, watching the scene of warmth and comfort, feeling like I didn't belong at all.
"Host, your heart rate is abnormal." The system's voice held a note of uncertainty.
"Are you feeling sad?" it asked.
I wiped my face, and only then did I realize I was smiling.
Ethan limped in after me, about to speak, but Lila gasped and rushed over before he could get a word out.
"Ethan, what happened to your leg?" she exclaimed.
Just as she reached out, I caught her wrist.
The sharp crack of my slap echoed through the hall.
Lila grabbed her face and dropped to the floor, crying her eyes out.
Almost at the same time, I was slammed hard to the ground.
Leonard's hand was still raised, his palm flushed red.
"Bethany, have you lost your mind?" he shouted.
I pushed myself up and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Lost my mind? She took my fiance and my chair. And when I touch her, I'm the one you strike?" I snapped, my voice trembling with fury.
Edward finally set down his brush and walked over to me.
"Apologize," he said, his voice cold and steady.
I looked up at him.
"For what?" I shot back, my voice sharp.
Julian pulled Lila into his arms as she sobbed, his voice cold as ice.
"Bethany, I never wanted you. The engagement was my father's doing. Lila is the only one I've ever loved," he said, his words cutting.
Edward grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet.
"You heard him. Let go of your delusions," he snapped.
I looked at them.
Leonard was furious, Edward looked at me like I'd let him down, and Julian looked at me with pure disgust.
Ethan opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he just turned away.
It was just like three years ago.
Back then, Lila "accidentally" ate the tarts I gave her and fell ill. Ethan examined them and said they were laced with poison.
I swore it wasn't me. No one listened.
They made me kneel in the family chapel for three days. Only Ethan took pity. He brought me water.
He'd whispered then, "Just apologize, Bethany. We will forgive you."
Now he just stood there, silent.
I was done with it all.
I shook off Edward's hand, strode over to the table, and grabbed the carving knife.
"Bethany!" Ethan cried out, his voice shaking.
Lila shrank behind Julian, putting on her usual helpless act.
"Bethany, what are you doing? If you're angry, just hit me. Please don't hurt yourself," she pleaded, her voice quivering, all dramatic.
I looked at her with a cold smile.
"Isn't this what you wanted? An apology?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
With everyone frozen in shock, I raised the knife to my chest and plunged it in hard.
"Will my life do?" I spat, my words icy.
"Are you satisfied now?" I asked, my voice hollow.
Hot blood poured out of me.
Right before my vision blurred, I saw raw terror explode across their faces.
Ethan lunged for me, Leonard's shout broke with panic, and Edward's paints were scattering across the floor.
And while Julian held her close, a sly smile flickered across Lila's lips.
Then everything went black.