Chapter 116
Irene’s POV:
1 stood there in the garden, the cool night air pressing in around ine, and watched Damien disappear bark inside the house. The softness that had been in his eyes just moments ago was replaced by a familiar, distant look. Eva had shattered whatever fragile truce we’d been on the verge of finding, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of anger. It wasn’t just anger at Eva, but at the hold she still had over him, the strings she could pull to make him turn his back on me.
I remained in the garden for a while, allowing my anger to subside while inhaling the earthy aroma of roses and lavender The stars blinked quietly in the night sky, obviously not bothered by my distress. However, I was aware that if I remained outside any longer, I would appear to be hiding, and I was done doing that. I gathered my courage and went inside, bracing myself for whatever I could met,
I could hear noises coming from the hallway, but otherwise the place was quiet.
My heart dropped when I recognized Lenora’s voice, tight with emotion, spilling her grievances to Damien, who was listening in heavy silence. With a pang of remorse and regret, I moved closer. Our already broken family was becoming even more strained due to Lenora’s fragile condition.
“Why did she have to come back?” Lenora’s voice was sharp, pained. “I was just starting to feel at peace. But now she’s here, and everything’s complicated again.”
“It’s not that simple, Lenora,” Damien said, his tone exasperated “She’s my wife. And she’s Charlie’s mother. This is her home too.
“Her home?” Lenora let out a hollow laugh. “So, it’s her home, but what about me? I’m your sister, Damien. Your only family. Or, I believed that I was…”
What she said affected me like a blow to the stomach. I never intended for Lenora to feel excluded, but that’s exactly what happened. I was aware that she had faced challenges and pain, but I realized I couldn’t constantly change myself to please others. I also had the right to be present. I was tired of feeling like I was an outsider in n my own life.
I entered the hallway, taking a deep breath, walking intentionally to make them notice my presence.
Lenora’s face tightened when she saw me, her lips pulling into a thin line.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral,
Surprised, Damien turned to respond, but before he could, Lenora interrupted with a cold tone. “Oh, I have no oubt about that. Do you always manage to get what you desire, Irene?
“Lenora…” Damien started to say, but she interrupted him with a dismissive gesture of her hand.
“No, Damien, allow her to answer,” she snapped angrily in my direction. Are you aware of how much you have deprived me? You portray yourself as righteous and as someone who is striving for improvement, but in reality, all you bring is disorder.
The words caused a sharp pain, and I found it hard to maintain a composed expression. Lunderstand that things have been tough. Lenora,” I said, making an effort to speak in a gentle manner. “I want out of this just as much as you
do.”
“But, you are right in the midst of it,” she retorted, her voice getting louder. “And it’s tearing everything apart. If you cared about this family, really cared, you’d leave us alone. Maybe then we could finally have some peace.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but I was stopped by the pain in her eyes. I wasn’t sure how to explain to her that I was merely trying to regain my position here. And I could see that, for Lenora, I represented everything that was wrong in her life, an Intruder in the world she’d crafted for herself with Damien by her side.
Damien’s eyes moved back and forth between us, his expression was a blend of frustration and helplessness. “Stop, both of
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28 Fri, Nov
Chapter 116
you,” he uttered, his votre growling softly. “This is just not good for anybody. We must figure out how to coexist peacefully. in the same household without causing rifts within the family”
Lenora scoffed, her eyes filling with angry tears. Then make her leave, Damien,” she said, voice wavering as she pointed at me. Tell her to go. She doesn’t belong here.”
The hallway fell into a heavy silence. I looked at Damien, feeling in unspoken plea in my gaze, hoping he wouldn’t let her drive me away. But he stood there, torn, clearly grappling with the weight of what his sister had demanded.
Finally, Damien spoke, his voice tight. “Lenora, I think you should go to your room and get some rest. We can discuss this tomorrow once everyone has calmed down
Lenora gazed at him with betrayal in her eyes, briefly before releasing a bitter laugh. “Fine. But, don’t claim that I didn’t warn you.” She said to him. And before walking away angrily, she gave me a final angry look and then quickly went down the hallway, entering her room and slamming the door loudly.
Once she was gone, Damien turned to me, his face a mask of exhaustion. “Irene…”
I stopped him by raising a hand. “Don’t,” I muttered, my voice stifled by emotions, “You don’t have to explain. I know what I walked into.”
“It’s just complicated.” He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
led?” I echoed, letting out a bitter laugh. “It doesn’t have to be complicated, Damien. It’s as if you are trying to satisfy everybody, and yet, at the end of the day, no one is content.”
His jaw tightened as he averted his gaze, and I could sense the pressure of all his burdens weighing on him. However, I could not continue this behavior, could not continue to damage myself in order to fit into a place where I was always seen as an outsider.
I took a deep breath and met his gaze directly.. “I love you, Damien. But I can’t keep fighting this battle alone. You will have to decide if im worth fighting for.”
The heavy and unresolved words lingered in the air, causing the ache in my chest to intensify. I didn’t wait for his response before turning and walking away, my heart racing and the burden of unspoken words weighing heavily on me.
Upon reaching the stairs, I heard Damien urgently calling out my name. However, I didn’t turn back. Instead, I kept walking, feeling the fractured pieces of my heart scatter with every step.
But by tomorrow, things will be just as I wanted them to be.
I will resume my new job.
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