HER ~LIFE ~IN ~A ~NUTSHELL

CHAPTER 10

~~~

[•ONE•WEEK•LATER~GERARD’S MANSION•]

One week after the chaos at the NMC Library, things seemed calmer on the surface… but underneath, tension ran like electric current.

Lewiston hadn’t shown up or contacted anyone.

Not a call.

Not a message.

Not a shadow.

And that silence was what kept Naomi pacing her living room like a restless ghost.

She wasn’t scared—no, Naomi was never scared of Lewiston.

But his silence? That was unnatural.

And unnatural things never ended well.

Gerard walked in fresh from a shower, the scent of his cologne filling the room,he stared at Naomi who was sitting on the couch. He dropped beside her, his arm naturally sliding behind her shoulders.

“Still thinking about him?” he asked quietly.

Naomi stiffened. “Gerard, don’t start.”

He exhaled. “You haven’t been yourself all week.”

“I’m fine,” she muttered.

“No, you’re not.” He shifted closer. “You flinch when your phone vibrates. You stare off when you think no one is watching. And last night—” he touched her hand gently “—you cried in your sleep again.”

Naomi looked away. “Gerard… please.”

He moved his hand to her cheek, turning her face toward him. “Talk to me, Naomi.”

A long silence.

Then—

“Why hasn’t he said anything?” she whispered.

“He’s never this quiet.”

Gerard’s jaw tightened. “Maybe he finally knows you’re taken.”

“Gerard.”

“What?” he shrugged. “I’m your fiancé. He needs to accept that.”

Naomi only stared at him without saying anything.

“He’s been quiet for too long,” she finally muttered.

“Silence isn’t his thing. It’s… wrong.”

Gerard chuckled under his breath. “If he’s quiet, it means he’s planning something stupid.”

Naomi glared. “Do you mind? He saved Lily. He nearly died.”

“And then he sat in his mansion watching us kiss.” Gerard raised a brow.

“I still don’t know why you let me kiss you like that in front of everyone.”

Naomi flushed lightly. “I didn’t let you—”

“You didn’t stop me.”

She threw a pillow at him.

Just then, little Lily rushed into the room and climbed onto Naomi’s lap, giggling.

Gerard opened his arms, but Lily immediately leaned away from him.

“See?” Naomi sighed. “She still doesn’t want to stay with you.”

Gerard clutched his chest dramatically. “My own child is rejecting me.”

“She’s not your child,” Naomi muttered.

That word stung Gerard,but he masked it up.

“Future child,” Gerard corrected. “Same thing.”

Lily looked at Gerard like a stranger.

Before Naomi could respond, the door burst open and beauty stormed in,looking so beautiful as her name implies—bangles playing on her wrist.

“Good morning, favorites,” she sang, blowing a kiss directly at him.

Gerard nodded stiffly. “Beauty.”

“Gerard,” she breathed, smiling way too long.

Naomi slapped her arm. “Stop eye-harassing my man.”

“Who? Me?” Beauty fluttered her lashes innocently. “I would never.”

Gerard looked unconvinced.

Beauty flopped onto the couch opposite them, crossing her legs. “Anyway, I didn’t come here to flirt. I came with seriously serious news.”

Naomi tensed. “It’s about Lily, right?”

Beauty inhaled deeply. “Yes.”

Gerard leaned forward immediately. “What about her test results?”

Turns out beauty had briefed them about Lily's situation,but she didn't reveal it was perilla though. Since then,Gerard had asked her to do a test.

Beauty looked between them, her face losing all its usual playfulness.

“You remember the poison they said would start affecting her in three days?” Beauty asked.

Naomi nodded quickly. “Yes, yes—what about it?”

“It didn’t work.” Beauty leaned back. “Not even a little.”

Gerard frowned. “Meaning?”

“Meaning Lily has something rare in her blood. Something like a… natural blocker.”

Beauty tapped her chin. “When the poison entered her system, her immunity didn’t fight it—her blood just absorbed it and broke it down.”

“My baby…”,Naomi gasped.

Naomi placed a protective hand on Lily’s back as she leaned into her mother's arm more.

“But Beauty… who would poison a child?” Naomi swallowed.

Beauty hesitated.

Naomi’s voice sharpened. “Tell me.”

“Perilla,” Beauty finally whispered. “Your daughter’s nanny.”

Gerard shot up so fast Lily.

“What?” he growled.

Beauty nodded. “She slipped it into Lily’s evening tea. The lab confirmed that.”

Naomi felt her heart drop into her stomach.

“But… but Perilla has been with her since she was born. Why would she—?”

Beauty inhaled sharply and gazed at Gerard for a while.

“About that,I have no idea at all. But I know she wouldn't do this willingly—she loves Lily like her own daughter,and that's why we must get to the root of this” She said.

“The poison Perilla gave her… iIt should’ve taken effect three days after ingestion.” she suddenly said.

Gerard’s expression sharpened. “But she’s perfectly fine.”

“Yes,” Beauty breathed. “And I found out WHY.”

Lily blinked, clueless, hugging her mother.

Naomi whispered, “Tell me.”

Beauty looked from Naomi to Lily, then back.

“It’s her genes.”

“Her WHAT?” Naomi asked.

Beauty swallowed.

“Lily has a rare resistance gene that counters the poison Perilla used. It’s—it’s extremely rare. I’ve only seen it twice.”

“Twice? Where?” Gerard leaned forward,his brows furrowed.

Beauty hesitated.

“In someone related to her.”

Naomi stiffened. “Beauty—”

“I’m saying…” Beauty exhaled, lowering her voice.

“…she didn’t get it from you.”

The room went silent.

Gerard narrowed his eyes. “Are you implying—”

Beauty cut him off.

“She might have gotten the gene from her FATHER.”

Naomi’s breath caught.

Hard.

Sharp.

Gerard stared at her.

“Naomi… what is she talking about?”

“I–I have no idea,I really have no idea.” She stuttered.

Beauty dropped again,

Beauty shook her head. “And about perilla,she’s not in a cell.”

Gerard’s eyes fell on her fast as he questioned.

“Then where?”

Beauty smirked slightly.

“She tried to run. Tried. Someone caught her before the police arrived.”

Naomi shivered. “Who?”

Beauty whispered:

“A man with very cold eyes. He told the officers he’d ‘deliver her.’ They said he vanished with her somewhere toward the north forest.”

Gerard stiffened immediately.

Naomi blinked. “Gerard? What is it?”

He swallowed hard. “There’s only one person who would take someone into that forest.”

Beauty whispered, goosebumps rising on her arm:

“Lewiston.”

The room fell silent.

Naomi’s heart thudded painfully.

Gerard clenched his jaw, muttering under his breath, “Cold… dangerous… promising. He didn’t take her for mercy.”

Naomi felt her whole body tremble.

Gerard wrapped an arm around her. “Naomi, breathe.”

Beauty exhaled shakily, crossing herself. “If Lewiston has Perilla… she won’t be seen again.”

Naomi’s lips parted, the truth sinking in:

Lewiston hadn’t been silent.

He had been busy.

[•DEATH’S•VILLA•TOTURE•ROOM]

Perilla’s hands were bound above her head, the ropes cutting into her wrists. The room was dim, shadows stretched across the walls, illuminated by a single harsh light. Lewiston stood nearby, cigarette smoke curling lazily in the air, the knife resting on the table.

He circled her slowly. “Do you know why you’re here?”

“I… I don’t… I don’t understand. What… what did I do?” Perilla's voice trembled.

Lewiston’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not! I—” She stammered, shaking violently. “I didn’t do anything wrong!

He exhaled slowly, letting the silence hang heavy. “Step by step. Every action. Every order you followed,Answer me!”

Perilla’s lips quivered. “…I… I don’t know…”

Lewiston’s patience snapped. With a swift motion, he dragged the knife across her arm, a sharp line of pain and blood cutting through her trembling body.

“Aaarhhh—” Perilla screamed, the sound echoing in the small room.

“Stop lying!” Lewiston’s voice was ice, sharp as the blade. “The truth! Now!”

Perilla gasped, tears streaming down her face, the pain forcing honesty from her. “…I… I… I gave her tea! I was told to… I didn’t know she’d… I didn’t know!”

Lewiston’s eyes darkened. “Step by step. Every detail. Every order. No omissions.”

Through her trembling lips, Perilla began to speak, confessing everything—the instructions she had followed, the poison she had administered, and the chaos she had caused. Her voice shook, but the truth poured out, raw and undeniable.

Lewiston leaned back slightly, letting the weight of her confession settle. Smoke curled lazily from his cigarette. “…You see?” His voice was cold, controlled.

“Truth is far less painful than lies. And now, perhaps, you understand the consequences of deception.”

He released her bonded hands and fell to the floor roughly.

Perilla sank to her knees, gasping, finally realizing the full weight of her actions. Confusion, fear, and pain had forced her into honesty.

Lewiston’s gaze remained fixed on her, cold, calculating, and deadly. Every word she spoke, every hesitation, every quiver was noted.

Finally, with a swift motion, the knife plunged, ending her life. Her body slumped to the floor. Lewiston exhaled slowly, his face unreadable.

“No one endangers what matters and walks away.”

~~~

[•BOSS’S•DOMAIN•DANGER]

Death sat in his dark room, screens showing the city, the prison, and even Lewiston’s movements. He picked up the phone and spoke sharply.

“Give me an update,” he said.

A nervous voice answered, “Sir… the warden is… hesitant. Security is tight.”

“Hesitant? That means he can be paid. Don’t fail me.” Death’s lips curved into a thin smile.

“Yes, sir. We have contacts… lawyers… some guards who can be persuaded,” the voice replied.

“Good,” Death said, leaning back. “I want a plan ready tonight. Ruth Sylvester comes out, no delays.”

Another call rang through. A lawyer’s oily voice came, “Sir… the paperwork… it’s risky. If anyone notices—”

“Risky?” Death snapped. “Everything about Ruth is risky. That’s why I pay you. Bribe, forge, do whatever it takes. She gets out, understood?”

“Yes… sir,” the lawyer stammered.

Death hung up and dialed again. “Check the east wing. Make sure guards are busy elsewhere. No one should notice. Ruth can’t wait.”

He leaned closer to the screens, eyes on Ruth in her cell. “Lewiston has his ways. I have mine. Let him deal with Perilla. Ruth… she will be free soon, and no one stops me.”

Another voice spoke hesitantly, “Sir… we can get her out tonight, but there are risks—”

“No risks. Only results. Ruth leaves tonight. Anyone who fails me pays,” Death said sharply.

He set the phone down, smoke from his cigar curling toward the ceiling. “Move now. Make sure Lewiston doesn’t know until it’s done.”

The room went silent except for the hum of screens and clicking phones. Ruth’s release was already in motion.

~~~

[•Next Day•N•M•C LIBRARY•]

The morning sun poured through the tall library windows, but the air inside was thick. Naomi walked in, Lily holding her hand tightly, still shaken from the past days.

Silas leaned against a shelf, eyes on Caramel. She moved past him like she didn’t see him, keeping her distance.

He stepped closer. “Why are you acting like this? Avoiding me, ignoring me?”

Caramel stopped, arms crossed. “I’m not avoiding you. Leave me alone, Silas.”

“No,” he said, stepping closer, voice low but firm. “I’m done watching you push me away. Tell me why.”

She scoffed. “Why? Go see your girlfriend. I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

He tilted his head, calm but dangerous. “No. You talk. Now.”

Caramel tried to walk past, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her gently but firmly so she couldn’t escape. “Or I’ll make you talk in a way you won’t like,” he said, his face inches from hers.

Her chest tightened. “…Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll tell you. But you’ll regret it.”

“I… I saw you and Bethany… kissing,” she blurted out, looking down.

Silas’ eyes narrowed. “…And?”

Caramel froze, heat rising to her cheeks. Her hands trembled slightly, and she could feel her heart racing. “…And what?” she whispered, almost a challenge, trying to hide how flustered she was.

“…Bethany… she kissed you. I didn’t interfere,” Caramel said quickly, voice shaking. “I didn’t say anything… didn’t want to start drama.”

Silas pressed closer. “And?”

Caramel swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. “…Then Bethany came to me. Told me you were… dating her. Or… liking her, or something.” Her voice shook slightly.

Silas’ expression darkened. “…Then why did you tell her you don’t give a fuck if we kissed?” His voice was low, tense. “Why does it matter to you if she kisses me?”

Caramel stiffened, heat rushing to her face. “I… I don’t know what you mean,” she lied quickly, glancing away.

Silas’ jaw tightened, eyes piercing hers. “Don’t lie, Caramel. I heard you. So tell me. Why? You like me, don’t you?”

She clenched her fists, trying to maintain her composure. “…I… I said nothing,” she muttered, voice trembling slightly. “It’s not what you think.”

“I see it,” he whispered, leaning even closer. “The way you look at me… the way you talk. Don’t even try to hide it.”

Caramel bit her lip, glancing away, trying to contain herself. “I said nothing. I mean nothing!”

He stepped back, but only a little. “Then talk. Or I’ll force you. Tell me everything.”

She took a deep breath, heart hammering. “Fine. I saw the kiss. I saw what Bethany did. I’m not saying I like you. That’s all.”

Silas’ lips curved slightly, unreadable. “Is that all?”

Caramel glared, cheeks burning. “Yes! Now leave me alone!”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Not until I know you’ve said everything. Not just the safe part.”

Her hands trembled slightly. She wanted to walk away, but she couldn’t. She had told the surface truth, but the deeper feelings—her heart—stayed buried.

Lily tugged Naomi’s hand nearby, oblivious, while Naomi watched silently. The tension between Silas and Caramel hung heavy in the library, charged with words unspoken, emotions restrained, and a pull neither could ignore.

Naomi shook her head, wishing her love life could be as simple as this… but no. Nothing in her world was ever simple.

After a moment, she called them over, her gaze sharp. “Both of you, come work with me today. We have things to handle.”

Silas and Caramel exchanged a quick glance, then followed her silently, tension still lingering but now mixed with reluctant obedience.

~~~

[•SANDRO’S MANSION•]

Alessandro’s study was dimly lit. Papers and ledgers were scattered everywhere, but his mind was elsewhere. Ever since he had killed Ruth’s father, he had been acting cold, suspicious, and secretive. Bianca sat across from him, uneasy.

“Alessandro…” she began carefully, “you’ve been… different. Ever since… everything with Ruth’s father. You can’t hide it.”

Alessandro didn’t look at her. His hands rested on the mahogany desk. “Different? Maybe. I have my reasons.”

Bianca’s eyes narrowed. “Reasons? You’ve been distant, secretive… almost dangerous. And now, everything with Naomi and Gerard… it feels like you’re hiding something again.”

Before Alessandro could answer, the door opened. Roberto, Gerard’s father, entered.

“Alessandro. Bianca,” he said, nodding formally. “Good evening.”

Alessandro rose slightly. “Roberto. Good evening.”

Bianca stood and smiled at him. “Good evening, Mr. Roberto,” she said politely. Then, teasing lightly, she added, “I hope you don’t mind Alessandro’s secrets… they’re dark, but I promise he’s harmless… most of the time.”

Roberto chuckled, the tension easing slightly. Alessandro’s jaw tightened but didn’t interrupt.

Bianca straightened. “I’ll go prepare something for our guest. Don’t wait up too long for dinner.” She winked at Roberto and left for the kitchen.

Once Bianca was gone, Alessandro finally looked at Roberto. His expression was serious, distant.

“There’s something I need to say,” he began, tone deliberate. “Something I’ve kept from Bianca for a long time.”

Roberto leaned forward.

Alessandro continued, “All this… the insistence that Naomi marry Gerard, the warnings, the manipulation… I lied. Not for Naomi’s safety, as I told Bianca. That was only an excuse. The truth… is darker than she knows. Everything I’ve done… even the killings… it was for reasons I could not reveal. But… I love Bianca too much to let anything destroy her.”

Roberto was silent, absorbing the weight of Alessandro’s words.

Alessandro leaned back, his gaze hard but full of love. “I did what I had to do. Even if it hurt Bianca… even if it hurt Naomi. This marriage… it serves a purpose beyond what I explained.”

Roberto nodded slowly, voice firm. “Understood. But Bianca should be treated with care. Let her have some space and time before we involve her in the serious matters of the wedding.”

Alessandro’s jaw tightened slightly. “Of course. She will be briefed soon enough.”

In the kitchen, Bianca hummed softly, trying to push away the unease gnawing at her mind. She was cooking for Roberto, for Alessandro… but every chop of the knife, every stir of the pot, reminded her that secrets were everywhere, and none of them were as simple as they seemed.

~~~

[•NAOMI’S MANSION — NIGHT•]

Naomi stepped into her bedroom,tired. This was the first time she would sleep in her mansion after the whole saga. She was expecting silence.

Instead, the dim glow of the room caught a figure leaning against her dresser, smoke curling from a cigarette.

“Lewiston…” she gasped, frozen.

He didn’t answer at first, eyes dark in the shadows. Slowly, he dropped the cigarette, letting the smoke drift between them. “You didn’t expect me,” he said, voice low, dangerous.

“I… I didn’t. You can’t be here!” Naomi’s hands trembled slightly, but her tone was firm.

He stepped closer, each movement deliberate, predatory. “I can be wherever I want, Naomi. You know that.”

Naomi instinctively backed toward the bed. “This… this is my home. You can’t just—”

He cut her off with a sharp look. “Stop.” His voice was ice. “I need answers. Where is my daughter?”

Naomi froze. Her heart thudded. “Your… daughter?”

“Yes,” he said, stepping even closer, his presence suffocating. “The child you protected, the one in danger… tell me you know where she is.”

“I… I sent Lily to my mother’s,” Naomi said cautiously, keeping her voice steady despite the panic rising in her chest.

Lewiston’s dark gaze bore into her. “That’s… smart. But she’s mine. And I need to know who tried to hurt her.”

Naomi swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know what you mean.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Perilla.”

Naomi’s stomach dropped. “Perilla?”

“I killed her,” he said, voice flat, deadly calm. “She poisoned my daughter. Tried to. I ended it.”

Naomi’s legs went weak. Her hand flew to her mouth. “You… you killed her?” Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling. Shock, fear, disbelief all rolled into one.

“Yes,” Lewiston stepped closer, his dark aura pressing down on her. “And if anyone else tries… anyone… they won’t make it either. Understand?”

Naomi shook her head, trying to steady herself. “You… you can’t just… this is murder!”

He didn’t flinch. “Call it what you want. She tried to hurt my child. I don’t forgive. I don’t forget. And I don’t ask permission.”

Naomi took a step back, her chest heaving. Her mind raced—fear, anger, confusion, the terrifying realization of how dangerous he really was. “Lewiston… you’re insane!”

He smirked darkly, leaning closer. “Insane? Maybe. Dangerous? Definitely. But careful… don’t make me use that on you.”

Naomi’s hands shook, but she stood her ground. “Get out. Now. Or I’ll—”

He only chuckled, slow, cold. “Not yet. I needed you here. To see. To understand. You'll thank me later..... or maybe not".

She swallowed, hear pounding, realizing she was in the eye of a storm she had no control over. Lewiston presence, his power, his darkness..... it was overwhelming, suffocating and terrifying, —and now she knew he was willing to kill without hesitation to protect what was his.