CHAPTER 5

The mansion felt different in the morning. A good difference.

I stared at the beautiful scenery through the window.

After feeling a slight satisfaction, I started getting ready for the day. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the fabric of my dress.

Clean lines and soft color that perfectly matches me.

A knock came from the door, startling me slightly.

"Ma'am, breakfast is ready," a maid said softly from the other side.

Ma'am.

Not miss or Lilary.

I stared at my reflection for a second longer before a triumphant smile appeared on my face.

"Of course it is."

The dining hall was already occupied when I walked in.

Francis was there and beside him was Sarah.

So that's how we're going to play this game.

Good.

Sarah looked up first and her eyes widened.

I glanced at Francis. The nerve of this traitor brought Sarah after desperately begging to explain to me yesterday.

I looked at Sarah again and saw confusion flash across her face, then hesitation, before something closer to fear.

Interesting.

Francis didn't react the same way. He just went still. Completely still.

Like he was holding himself back from doing something reckless.

Pathetic, but it's perfect.

I didn't stop walking, didn't slow down, and most of all, didn't hesitate.

"Good morning," I greeted them, taking my seat at the head of the table.

Not beside them but above them.

I'm now Lilary Hemenez after all.

Silence followed.

It was thick and uncomfortable.

Sarah glanced at Francis, as if asking him to explain what's happening.

He didn't look at her though because his eyes stayed on me.

Fuming.

"You shouldn't be sitting there," he said through gritted teeth.

I reached for my cup, unbothered.

"And where should I sit if not here?" I asked, tilting my head a little.

No answer. Just as I expected.

I looked at him before taking a slow sip of my coffee.

"You're awfully tense this morning, didn't you sleep well?" I said, playing the perfect stepmother.

His jaw clenched. "Stop this."

"Stop what?" I raised one of my eyebrows.

"Acting like you belong here."

I smirked. I'm getting on his nerves. That's good.

"I don't have to act," I said softly, giving a small smile.

"I married into it." I finished my sentence.

I looked at Sarah, whose hand tightened around her fork.

I turned my full attention to her. Gentle... and almost kind.

"And you must be Sarah," I said, and she froze.

"That's enough, Lilary," Francis said as he pushed his chair back slightly.

A warning.

"Is that how you address your stepmother, Francis? By calling her by her name?" I said, and I could see how he trembled while controlling himself to prevent lashing out.

Silence.

And then a slow clap echoed from the doorway.

We all turned.

Dominic.

He was watching. Observing. Evaluating.

I watched as his gaze moved from Francis, then to Sarah, and finally... to me.

"Interesting," he said, but he's clearly not impressed nor amused.

There's something else. Something sharper.

"Is this how you plan to spend your mornings, Mrs. Hemenez?"

I held his gaze. "Only when necessary, Mr. Hemenez."

Dominic's gaze didn't leave mine. Not even for a second.

"Dad, we need to talk. This is absurd!" Francis said as he stood up.

"With all due respect, sir, but it is quite unprofessional and scandalous to marry such a woman," Sarah backed up Francis.

"And sleeping with your sister's boyfriend isn't?" I said to Sarah.

"That is different—"

"Of course it is. Because I would never stoop that low, Sarah," I cut smoothly.

"Lilary—" Francis was about to say something, but Dominic's voice cut clean through everything.

"Enough."

He didn't raise his voice.

He didn't need to.

Silence dropped instantly.

Dominic didn't look at Francis.

He didn't look at Sarah.

He walked past them and straight to me.

He then pulled out the chair beside mine and sat down like nothing had happened.

"I don't remember asking for opinions," he said calmly.

I looked at Dominic. There was no anger. Just authority.

Sarah went pale and Francis stiffened.

Dominic reached for his coffee, completely unbothered.

"If you have concerns," he continued, "you're free to keep them to yourselves."

He paused.

"Or leave."

That landed harder than shouting ever could.

It was more cruelly... humiliating.

Francis's jaw tightened. Sarah didn't even move.

"I have lost my appetite," I said lightly.

My gaze flickered to Sarah, then to Francis.

"Try not to choke on yours."

And just like that, I turned and walked away.

No rush. No hesitation. Because I didn't need to stay. Not anymore.

I walked out of the kitchen and started walking towards the grand staircase.

"Stop."

I stopped in my tracks. I turned and faced Dominic.

I watched as he walked towards me.

"You're enjoying this," he said as soon as he reached me.

It was not a question.

"You're mistaken," I replied calmly.

A faint smirk touched his lips.

"I told you not to lie."

"I didn't," I said.

A pause.

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"Careful, Mrs. Hemenez."

There's the title again. It sounds... dangerous.

"You're already testing the only condition I gave you."

I met his eyes. "I haven't broken it."

Silence stretched between us and the room shifted.

Because suddenly, I wasn't the one in control anymore.

"Just make sure you know when to stop." His voice was low.

He paused.

Then colder—

"Before this stops being a game."

He stepped back. Not a retreat, but a decision.

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

Like he hadn't just issued a warning disguised as a conversation.

Like he hadn't just reminded me who exactly held the real power.

I stood there for a moment longer. Still, composed, and untouched.

Or at least, that's what it looked like.

I watched his retreating figure and something unfamiliar settled in my chest.

Not fear nor regret.

It was something worse.

Uncertainty.

Because for the first time since I stepped into this house—

I wasn't entirely sure who was playing who.