003

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A week later,

Eleanor spent the New Year drowning in loneliness. The world outside her window sparkled with fireworks, but inside her grandfather’s house… now cold without him…there was only silence. She clutched the edge of his old chair, the same one he always sat in while telling her stories about strength, patience, and family.

Now it was empty. And so was she.

She cried until her vision blurred, until the sound of her own sobs echoed back at her like a stranger’s voice. She cried for her grandfather, the only person who had ever truly loved her. She cried for Lucas… the man she thought she knew… who hadn’t reached out to her since the funeral. Not a call. Not a message. Not even a simple “Are you okay?”

Nothing.

His silence felt like a blade twisting deeper every second. Mourning and betrayal blended until she couldn’t tell which one hurt more. When her tears dried, when her heart felt scraped hollow, a strange numbness settled over her.

Enough. She needed answers.

She picked up her coat and left the house, determined to face Lucas once and for all.

At the Airport…

A tall man with warm tan skin stood near the arrival gate. He was striking… not just handsome, but composed, almost picture-perfect in the most irritating way. Standing at 1.89 m, he drew attention effortlessly. In his hands he carried a bouquet of flowers, bright red and arranged neatly, the kind one would give to someone treasured.

Lucas.

Dressed in a fitted suit, hair perfectly styled, he kept checking his reflection in a small pocket mirror like a nervous teenager waiting for his crush. His smile was unusually wide, almost boyish… so unlike the cold, calculating man Eleanor knew.

Across the hall, heels clicked.

A woman in a sapphire-blue gown approached with practiced grace. Her legs… long, straight, polished like glass… moved with deliberate elegance. Blonde waves framed her face, and the confident sway of her hips caught Lucas’ immediate attention.

He froze.

For a brief moment, his gaze softened… vulnerable, exposed, almost enchanted. The woman noticed, of course she did, and smiled like she owned him.

“Lucas! Happy New Year!” She ran into his arms, her voice sugary and familiar, and Lucas received her like they had been together for years.

“Welcome back, Vanessa…” he murmured, a shy smile tugging at his lips.

“I missed you so much.” She held his gaze long enough to make the air shift, as if something forbidden passed between them.

Then she pulled back with a mischievous grin. “Where’s Lewis? Don’t tell me he’s too busy to see me.”

“He’s at home,” Lucas replied, clearing his throat. “Preparing to welcome you.”

“I miss him too!” she chirped. “Let’s go home!”

Home.

The word made Lucas’ posture straighten, almost proudly.

*******

The car ride brimmed with silent temptation. Vanessa sat close… too close… and every “accidental” brush of her fingers against Lucas’ thigh made his breath hitch. The neckline of her dress slipped every time she leaned forward, and she never fixed it properly.

She knew what she was doing. And Lucas… didn’t seem bothered.

He responded with half-hidden glances, nervous smiles, and stiff breaths.

He didn’t push her away.

The tension between them was thick, wrong, and undeniable.

At the Mansion…

Lewis was already at the entrance when they arrived. His usual cold expression softened when Vanessa got out of the car.

“Vanessa.” His tone carried warmth Eleanor had never heard before.

“Happy New Year!” She squealed, running into his arms. He lifted her effortlessly, spinning her once. She clung to him with the ease of someone who had done it many times.

Lucas looked away quickly, jaw tight, but he pretended not to care.

“How long has it been? Three months?” Lewis asked, holding her firmly.

“I’ve missed you too much!” she said, still not letting go.

Later, the three settled into the living room. The air hummed with unspoken familiarity… inside jokes, shared glances, and unfinished conversations Eleanor was never part of.

“So,” Lewis began, “why did you come back suddenly?”

Vanessa smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. “Lucas is getting married soon. I can’t miss that.”

Both brothers went quiet.

Especially Lucas.

“Lucas, you haven’t introduced me to your fiancée properly,” Vanessa teased. “I want to be friends with her again.”

“You shouldn’t bother yourself,” Lucas replied, leaning back with an arrogant smirk. “It’s nothing serious.”

The dismissiveness stung even though Eleanor wasn’t there yet.

Vanessa laughed lightly. “Be serious. I want to help with the preparations. I want to know what it feels like to plan a wedding.”

“If that’s what you want… fine.” Lucas agreed quickly. “As long as you’re happy.”

He didn’t care about Eleanor’s feelings.

He cared about Vanessa’s.

“Lewis, you’re quiet,” she pouted. “Don’t you want me here?”

Lewis chuckled. “Your presence is a blessing.”

They continued talking… about Eleanor.

Mocking her. Discussing her flaws. Turning her into their entertainment.

**********

Eleanor walked toward the mansion that has been her home for 2 years. She has lived there since Lucas proposed and only goes to her grandfather’s house occasionally. 

She takes steps closer, her heart pounding… not from excitement, but dread. As she got closer, she heard laughter, loud and genuine.

The sound twisted painfully inside her chest.

She hesitated. What was she going to say? How will she take care of the whole situation? But after a few deep breaths, she stepped inside.

The laughter stopped instantly.

“Oh… Eleanor, you’re back!” Lucas exclaimed, standing abruptly. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

She froze.

Three faces stared at her: Lucas, Lewis… and Vanessa.

The girl who once ruined her life for sport.

‘What is Vanessa doing here?’ Her heart started beating faster than usual. Vanessa left for abroad for good, but seeing the devil in front of her almost made her lose her cool.

“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since last year,” Lucas added, voice dripping with fake concern. “What’s wrong?”

His false sweetness made her stomach churn.

‘Still pretending?’ She scoffed quietly, refusing to answer.

“Are you angry because I didn’t call you?” Lucas lowered his voice, trying to appear gentle. “I was busy. You know I can’t ignore you. Don’t sulk.”

She ignored him and looked at the other two. “Who are they, and what are they doing here?”

Lewis didn’t even pretend to feel guilty. Vanessa smiled innocently, as if she wasn’t the same girl who tormented Eleanor for years. She could feel something crawling in her skin by just looking at her.

“Don’t worry,” Lucas said lightly. “This is Lewis… my twin brother… and my childhood friend Vanessa.”

Eleanor’s blood ran cold. ‘Childhood friend’ echoed in her head countless times.

‘No wonder…’ she thought. Then her gaze trailed Lewis’s face, shape, and composure.

Her breath hitched as realization slammed into her like a storm.

The man she had spent four years sleeping with…

The man she believed was her fiancé…

The man she gave her heart, body, and trust to….

It was not Lucas.

It was Lewis.

Her stomach twisted violently. Shame and disgust crawled up her spine. Every memory of those nights… of screaming Lucas’ name while Lewis buried himself inside her… stabbed her from the inside.

‘Eleanor, you are a fool.’ She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Lewis approached with a faint smirk. “Hi, Eleanor. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

His voice echoed painfully familiar.

Too familiar.

She nodded stiffly. She wanted to scream, expose them, break everything… But her grandfather’s last wish whispered through her mind:

Be patient… endure… marry Lucas… Secure your future.

Even if she exposed them, that moment wouldn't benefit her, so she decided to stay calm even though her blood was boiling with rage inside.

“Victory requires patience, my princess.” Her grandfather's favorite words flashed through her mind as she caressed the pendant on her chest. ‘Just nod, Eleanor,' she thought.

So she swallowed the poison and played along.

Vanessa suddenly threw herself at Eleanor. “It’s been so long!”

Eleanor shoved her back instinctively, triggering alarm in the brothers’ eyes.

“I just want to be friends again,” Vanessa said, tears forming instantly. Fake tears, which Eleanor was used to. “I’m happy for you and Lucas. I just want my friend back.”

Eleanor didn't feel remorseful and just hissed under her breath.

Vanessa burst into dramatic sobs. “She doesn’t want me here!”

Lucas snapped as Eleanor tried to make her way upstairs. She was too tired… sad for that drama.

“Eleanor, come back here!” He shouted, rage burning in his eyes.

“What?” 

“Apologize this instant, Eleanor!” He fired, and Lewis just tended to Vanessa. Eleanor was shocked seeing how they treated Vanessa like a treasure while they used her like some slut and ruined her dreams.

“Why? I did nothing wrong!” she shot back.

“Just apologize!” He ordered his gaze mixed with anger and disgust. ‘I won't let some dirty twerp like you treat my savior like that, I owe her my life!’ His inner thought was harsher than what Eleanor felt sad about.

“I won't… I refuse to, it's her fault she jumped at me when I wasn't ready.” She shook her head, regretting ever loving or feeling attracted to him. ‘If you both love her this much, why… just why did you have to ruin my life, huh?’ her lips spread slightly, just enough to mock her whole situation; she couldn't believe it. She sighed heavily, ignoring Lucas's rants, and was ready to take a step.

Suddenly Lucas grabbed her harshly by the arm, dragging her down the hallway. She stumbled, pained, confused, and humiliated.

“Lucas, stop! What are you…?”

He shoved her into the storage room… the place where unwanted items gathered dust.

She stumbled on her feet as she tried to balance her weight but failed as she fell on her butt.

Dark. Cluttered. Claustrophobic.

She tried to stand up but, “Here.” He pushed her back inside and slammed the door in her face.

“Lucas! Are you insane? Let me out!” Eleanor banged on the door, panic rising.

“No,” he said coldly from the other side. “You’ll stay there until you learn how to apologize.”

His voice held no warmth. No love. Just disgust.

Eleanor’s breath hitched painfully, chest tightening. The darkness wrapped around her like hands squeezing her throat.

“Lucas! Let me out! Lucas… Please… I'm begging you.” she cried, choking on air. Her trauma clawed at her. Her heartbeat thundered painfully.

But Lucas walked away.

And she was left alone… crying, shaking, suffocating in the dark.