บท 19: Chapter 19: More Than a Pawn
Emilia
The weight of Damien's words lingers in the air, settling around me like a storm cloud ready to burst. I can't shake the image of what he said—that my mother was the true heir to his family's fortune, not him. That all of this—the mansion, the wealth, the power—was meant for her. And somehow, she was robbed of it. The truth of it gnaws at my insides, filling me with a sense of purpose I never thought I'd have.
For the first time, I feel like I'm more than just a victim in this twisted game. I'm a player.
But with power comes a price. Damien made that clear, and the cost weighs heavy on my heart. What am I willing to give up to claim what should have been mine all along? What sacrifices will I make to reclaim my mother's legacy?
I sit in front of the large window that overlooks the vast estate, my thoughts a whirlwind. The sun is just beginning to set, casting long shadows over the grounds. I feel... disconnected from everything I've known. This place, these people—they're all part of a world I never imagined myself stepping into. Yet here I am, at the center of it all, poised to take control.
A sharp knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, pulling me out of my reverie. My heart skips a beat as I turn to face the intruder.
"Come in," I call, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through me.
The door opens slowly, and to my surprise, it's Damien. His face is unreadable, but there's something in his eyes—a flicker of something like warning, or perhaps doubt.
"You've been quiet," he says, his tone low. "Are you considering my offer?"
I rise from my seat, walking toward him with slow, deliberate steps. My gaze never leaves his. For all the power I feel rising inside me, I know I'm not yet ready to take full control. Not until I know everything. Not until I understand the game I'm playing.
"I'm thinking about it," I reply, the weight of my words settling between us like a heavy mantle. "But I need more than just promises, Damien. I need to know what this will cost me. What will happen to me once I make my choice?"
Damien regards me with an expression I can't quite place. His lips press into a tight line, as if weighing his words carefully.
"I told you," he says softly, almost like a warning. "You're not just a pawn in this game, Emilia. But you will be caught in the crossfire if you're not careful. My family doesn't take kindly to betrayal. And neither do I."
His words send a chill down my spine. Betrayal? Is that how he sees this? As a game of loyalty and deceit?
"I'm not your pawn," I snap, my voice betraying the edge of fear creeping into my chest. "I'll decide my own fate, thank you very much."
Damien's eyes darken, a flash of something dangerous flickering behind them. For a moment, I wonder if I've pushed him too far, but then he relaxes, letting out a long breath.
"I never said you were," he murmurs, almost to himself. "But be careful, Emilia. The price of power is never cheap."
I hold his gaze, feeling the tension coil tightly between us. The air is thick, heavy with the promise of something more—something far more dangerous than either of us is ready to confront.
Before I can respond, the sound of footsteps echoes through the hallway. We both freeze, and Damien's expression sharpens, his body tensing.
"It's her," he mutters under his breath.
A moment later, the door swings open with a force that makes me jump. Standing in the doorway is my stepmother, her presence commanding, her eyes cold and calculating as always.
"I need to speak with you," she demands, her voice icy and sharp.
I feel a chill creep down my spine as her eyes flicker to me. Her lips curl into a thin, almost mocking smile.
Damien doesn't seem at all surprised by her sudden arrival, but the tension in the room thickens. He stands slowly, his jaw set in determination.
"What is it, Lady Langley?" he asks, his voice neutral but tinged with an underlying warning.
My stepmother steps into the room, her heels clicking on the polished floor like a countdown. She doesn't bother to address me directly, but I can feel her gaze on me, sharp and dismissive.
"I've come to discuss an important matter," she says, her voice laced with veiled threats. "It concerns Emilia."
My heart skips a beat, and I can't help but wonder what game she's playing now. She's always had a way of manipulating situations to her advantage, of turning everything into a scheme that benefits her.
"What about her?" Damien asks, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. I can sense the shift in his posture—he's bracing himself for something, but for what, I'm not sure.
"Emilia needs to be kept in line," Lady Langley says, her voice dripping with malice. "She's getting ideas, thinking she can control things around here. She doesn't know the consequences of defying this family."
My blood runs cold at her words, but I refuse to let her see my reaction. She's trying to manipulate Damien, trying to put me back in my place as the powerless, obedient daughter she expects me to be.
"I'm not going anywhere," I say, my voice trembling with quiet defiance. "And I'm certainly not a pawn in your game."
Lady Langley turns her gaze to me, her eyes narrowing. "Don't make the mistake of thinking you're anything more than a burden, Emilia. You don't belong here, and you never will."
Her words sting, but I don't show it. Instead, I turn to Damien, hoping that the look in my eyes says everything I can't bring myself to speak aloud. I need to take control. I need to claim my legacy. And I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means facing down my stepmother's venomous threats.
Damien looks at her with a cold, unreadable expression, his hands clenched at his sides. "Leave us," he says, his voice unwavering. "Now."
Lady Langley shoots one last glance at me before turning and leaving the room, her footsteps echoing as she walks away. The moment the door closes behind her, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Damien turns to me, his gaze sharp and calculating. "You're playing a dangerous game, Emilia," he warns, his voice low. "And your stepmother is not someone you want as an enemy."
I meet his gaze, my heart racing, but I stand my ground. "I'm not afraid of her."
Damien studies me for a long moment, and I can see the flicker of approval in his eyes. But there's something else there too—something darker.
Before he can speak, a faint, almost imperceptible knock sounds on the door. Damien's eyes flicker toward the door, and for a moment, everything goes still.
"Who is it?" he calls, his voice tight.
The door opens slowly, and a figure steps into the room, someone I wasn't expecting. My breath catches as I take in the newcomer—someone from Damien's past, someone I didn't think I'd see here. Someone who could change everything.
"Damien," the visitor says, his voice smooth and controlled. "It's time you learned the truth. And so does she."
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