Chapter 9

ELYRA.

I paused for a moment, stiff and ready, half expecting the door to burst open or someone to barge in without waiting. My pulse was already racing, anger coiled tight in my chest, plans forming and unforming in my head. Yet the hallway remained quiet. I heard no footsteps. No voices. Just the soft hum of the house settling around me.

With a slow breath, I straightened my shoulders and inhaled.

I pulled the door open gently and a maid stepped inside, young and calm. She couldn’t have been more than nineteen. Her uniform was neat, her posture careful, like she was afraid of taking up too much space.

“Good afternoon, my lady,” she said, bowing slightly. “You have a visitor.”

I paused. “A visitor?”

Just like that, all the anger swirling in my head evaporated. Every sharp thought vanished, replaced by surprise, then curiosity. I wasn’t expecting anyone—at least not so soon. I hadn’t told a soul about this. No one except my parents knew about this arrangement and my whereabouts. 

“Yes, ma'am,” she replied.

I nodded slowly, trying to gather myself. “Thank you. I'll be out soon.”

She hesitated, as if unsure whether to leave right away, then turned toward the door. I had almost shut the door at her when something made me stop.

“Wait,” I said.

She froze and turned back, eyes wide. “Yes, my lady?”

“What’s your name?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

Her surprise melted into something shy. “It’s Mira, my lady.”

“Mira,” I repeated, nodding slowly. It suited her somehow. “Thank you, Mira.”

She smiled—a small, genuine smile—and dipped into another bow before leaving.

I didn’t know why I had asked. Maybe it was because she hadn’t looked at me with disgust or curiosity like the others. Or maybe she just felt… different. Either way, the thought lingered with me as I stepped into the hallway and made my way toward the stairs.

The house felt too quiet.

Each step downward echoed softly, my hand trailing along the polished banister. As soon as I reached the level where the living room came into view, my breath caught.

I saw her back first. That familiar curvy figure was familiar—too formal. I recognized that posture too—the way she stood like she owned every room she walked into.

Disgust rose fast and sharp within me,, curling in my stomach.

“No,” I breathed. “No, no, no.”

As if summoned by my thoughts, she turned. I felt a knot form in my throat as I confirmed my suspicions. 

Star.

Her face lit up the moment she saw me, lips stretching into a wide smile that didn’t reach her eyes. It never did, I was so sure of that.

For a second, I considered turning around and walking right back up the stairs. Pretending I hadn’t seen her. Pretending she wasn’t standing in my living room.

But I didn’t.

I lifted my chin and continued down, every step measured, my face carefully blank. I would not give her the satisfaction of seeing what she did to me.

“Elyra!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Oh, look at you. You’re glowing.”

I stopped at the bottom step. “What are you doing here?”

She laughed lightly, waving a hand. “Is that any way to greet someone who came all the way here to congratulate you?”

She stepped forward, her arms opening wide. “Come here.”

Instinctively, I took a step back.

“No,” I said flatly.

Her arms froze midair. Slowly, she let them drop, her expression shifting into something wounded. “Oh. I see.”

She placed a hand over her chest, dramatic as ever. “I only wanted to show support. After all, you’ve been through so much.”

I clenched my jaw.

“And whose fault do you think that is?” she continued, tilting her head. “Was it your baby boy? Are you feeling so frustrated already?”

The words hit like a slap.

Anger flared hot and sudden. “Do not,” I said sharply, “talk about I and my husband like that.”

The word tasted awful in my mouth, referring Radiel as my husband. Somehow, the two words didn’t belong together, not in my head, not in my heart. I wouldn’t have cared—wouldn’t have reacted so strongly—if not for the quiet snickers drifting from the edges of the room. I glanced around and spotted two maids half-hidden near the doorway, pretending to dust the same spot over and over.

My hands curled into fists.

Star noticed too. Her smile widened.

She took a small step back, eyes suddenly wide, voice dropping. “Oh my. Elyra, there’s no need to raise your voice. Why are you being so hostile? You literally look like you'd hit me right now if you've got the chance.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “What?”

“Please,” she went on, lifting her hands as if to shield herself, “I wouldn’t want anyone to think you beat people who upset you. That would be such a shame.”

My chest felt tight, every breath forced. She was doing this on purpose. Every word, every gesture was carefully chosen.

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. “Especially now. Wouldn’t want to embarrass your husband, right?”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Can you imagine the morning papers? Something catchy like ‘The Young Billionaire's Bride Shoes her beast side.’”

The image flashed in my mind before I could stop it. Headlines. Whispers. Radiel’s name dragged through the mud alongside mine.

The tension inside me snapped—and then, just as suddenly, it eased.

The contract.

The memory of it restrained me, cooling the rage that burnt within me. I inhaled slowly and deeply, forcing my expression to smooth out.

Star watched me closely, clearly expecting an outburst.

She didn’t get one.

“Leave,” I said instead.

She blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.” I met her gaze steadily. “Get out of my house. Now.”

Her lips parted, shock flickering across her face. “Elyra—”

“You are no longer welcome here,” I continued, my voice calm but firm. “Not today. Not ever.”

I felt the air in the room go tight as I spoke, my eyes fixed on Star as she stared at me, speechless.