He turned his head in the direction of the seat to his right, where someone I wasn’t particularly excited to see was seated. “Sebastian, move over.” His tone became stern-the same voice everyone else knows him with. He didn’t need to elaborate, that simple statement as enough to not be messed with.
Sebastian, my half-brother shifted his gaze from my father, then to me, his expression hardening. “Of course, Father.” His tone, it was as grave as his expression. His eyes were narrowed at me, as he stiffly rose from the seat he knew would never be his, and yet somehow, he never fails to stop trying to occupy and move to the next seat.
Two of the maids standing waiting by the sides moved to take his untouched food and mugs of tea to the seat he had transitioned to. He threw them a glare that had them shuddering, their heads head low as they moved back to their earlier positions.
I removed my arms from around my father and then occupied the now empty seat, flashing him a smile which he reciprocated. When I lifted my gaze to stare directly across me, I was welcomed with another face I’d rather not see in a thousand years, but I have no choice but to stick to.
Her expression was blank as a canvas, though upon meeting my gaze, her lips slowly curled upwards into what one would think is a sweet, genuine smile but I knew otherwise. “Vivien.” She spat the name, with a sickly sweet smile. “Good to have you back.” Believe me, if there’s to be a female devil, then it would be this woman.
Still, I forced myself to hold up my smile, mirroring her expression. “It feels good to be back as well.”
She nodded slowly, then slanted her gaze behind me. “Serve Lady Vivien, do you need to be told twice?” She directed her order to the maids. She then slanted her gaze in my direction, her smile returning.
They didn’t need to be told twice, they were quick to place a new plate in front of me, with the breakfast served already. They went ahead to place a cup of tea beside me, made to perfection and having the same scent. It looks beautiful no doubt, its appealing to the eyes.
“Try it.” Josephine, my step mother, urged, that smile never disappearing from her baked face. “I made it with love.”
I hummed, staring at it longer than necessary before lifting my gaze to meet hers. “I can tell.” I then shifted my gaze to the man seated beside her, never once sparing me a glance. In fact, he was acting as if there’s no one there to begin with, ignoring my existence as a whole.
I didn’t comment on it, in no mood to get involved with him. I’d prefer it if it remain that way. My gaze moved to the woman seated beside him, the living version of an England Barbie doll in human form.
“-Victoria must’ve helped as well.” I said, referring to her daughter-in-law, Alexander’s wife of two years. Yet another person with the same attitude as them all. “I can practically feel the love bouncing off her as well.”
Victoria looked up from her meal, unbothered to even put up a smile, but she did narrow her eyes at me in slits. She didn’t say a thing though, knowing I’m intentionally poking her…she’s a terrible cook. She’d burn down the kitchen if allowed in it. It’s something she’s sensitive about, and I intentionally brought it up.
The air became more tensed if possible due to my words, everyone knowing what I did but no one spoke of it, or called me out-simply because my father is there, and they knew better than to stir up a fight with me in front of him.
Instead, Josephine steered the conversation back to the earlier point. “Try it.” She said gesturing to the food. “It’s your favorite if I remember, right?”
I hummed, my fingers moving to the cutleries. I tried to hide it, but my fingers were slightly shaking as I reached out to take the spoon. I forced it to stop though, as I held the spoon firmly, and against my growing nerves and curling intestines, placed the spoon into the soup and brought it to my mouth.
I forced it down my throat, my eyes stinging as I felt nauseous almost instantly, but I blinked back repeatedly to hide it. After a few seconds, I flicked my eyes open and placed it on Josephine’s awaiting ones-her lips curled into a satisfied smile. “It’s good.” I forced out, my voice sounding clearer than I feel internally. “As always.”
She chuckled, then carried on with her breakfast, satisfied with the reaction she got from me. We continued the breakfast quietly, with me forcing the food down even though I yearned for nothing more than to do otherwise. At least, it was quiet until Sebastian broke then tense air, with a question that’s been on their minds all no doubt.
“So…” He started, his head now in my direction. “…you’re screwing Kingston now.”
***
Isabella Montague.
I hunched over, retching out every content of my stomach. I took in a deep breath, before I vomited out every food content that was in my stomach, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. A sigh escaped my lips as I moved my hand to tap the flush button, before landing back on the bathroom floor, exhausted to the core.
I could feel myself becoming light headed, every bit of my body sore and aching. The little strength I had in me has all been exhausted down the drain along with the breakfast I had to force myself into eating despite knowing what would happen afterwards.
I remained in that position for a while, trying to get a little energy to get myself back on my feet. It took a short while, but soon enough, I felt I had the strength to get up and fix up myself. So, I made my way to the sink and washed my mouth, brushing my teeth clean afterwards to get rid of the bitter taste left.
Afterwards, I splashed some water on my face repeatedly, drying it off with a towel. I left the bathroom afterwards, making my way back into my bedroom with weary bones, settling on the chaise lounge there after shrugging off the overcoat I had on. I had already taken off the boots when I entered the room, before making a beeline to the en-suite to empty out the contents of my stomach.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.