ALVINA’S POVI was in my room that morning when Shirley burst through the door, her little face pale and frightened.“Miss Alvina!” she cried. “Something’s wrong with Lady Jade!”I turned quickly. “What do you mean something’s wrong?”“She looked… sad last night,” Shirley stammered. “And this morning, I went to her room, but she wasn’t there. Her bed was empty.”I frowned. “Are you sure? Maybe she went out for a walk.”Shirley shook her head. “No, I checked the garden. I even went near the stables. She’s nowhere!”My heart dropped. Jade never went anywhere without telling someone.“Alright,” I said, grabbing my cloak. “Let’s go. I’ll find her myself.”I went straight to Jade’s room.The bed was neatly made. The window curtains fluttered in the wind.Her things were still there, her books, and the rest of her belongings were intact.“Jade?” I called softly. “Are you here?”No answer.I checked the bathroom, the balcony, even under the bed like a fool. Nothing.Then I ran to the garden.
KIERAN’S POVI couldn’t sleep.Pearl’s words kept echoing in my head.“Keep an eye on your wife… she’s meeting someone secretly.”It sounded ridiculous at first.Jade wouldn’t do that. Not after everything we had faced together.But the seed was already planted.And that night, it refused to let me rest.I sat in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to Jade’s soft breathing beside me.She looked peaceful. Then, all of a sudden, she stirred.She sat up quietly, careful not to wake me.I closed my eyes halfway, pretending to sleep, but my mind was wide awake.She picked up her cloak from the chair and slipped it on.Then she opened the door slowly and stepped out into the hallway.My heart skipped a beat.Where was she going at this hour?I got up silently, grabbed my sword, and followed her while keeping my distance.The night air outside the villa was cold.The moonlight spread across the garden like silver mist.Jade moved fast, her cloak brushing the grass.I hid behind one of th
PEARL’S POVAfter having fun making Jade's blood boil, I came to my room to report everything to Melanie.Though when she asked me to come here, she told me she would go on seclusion but she said I can always summon her anytime.I stood by the mirror in my room, brushing my long black hair slowly.My reflection smiled back at me, but it wasn’t just me staring anymore. I leaned close and whispered, “Queen of shadows, come forth.”The mirror shimmered, rippling like water.A faint laugh echoed through it before her image appeared her eyes glowing red, her smile sharp and cruel.“Pearl,” Melanie purred. “You’ve done well.”I bowed slightly. “My Queen, everything goes as planned. Jade is breaking slowly. Her son already despises her.”Melanie’s eyes glimmered with wicked delight. “And Kieran?”“He’s distracted. Still pretending to be strong. But he watches Jade with worry. He thinks she’s losing control.”“Good,” Melanie said. “Soon, doubt will rot their bond. Once Kieran questions her h
JADE’S POVThe next few days in the villa were heavy and cold.Every hallway felt like it carried tension in the air.Pearl had made herself very comfortable.She had moved into the guest room beside Manuel’s and acted like she owned the whole place.And Manuel… my sweet boy… he hardly looked at me anymore.That morning, I came into the dining room with a tray of breakfast.I smiled softly. “Good morning, everyone.”Kieran nodded slightly from his seat, but Pearl was already sitting at the table, sipping tea like a queen.Manuel sat beside her, talking quietly.I set down the tray. “I made pancakes with honey. Manuel, they’re your favorite.”He didn’t even look up. “I don’t want any.”My smile faltered a little. “Oh… okay. Maybe later.”Pearl laughed softly. “He doesn’t eat sweet things anymore, Jade. He’s grown up now.”Kieran glared at her. “No one asked for your opinion.”Pearl turned to him sweetly. “I’m only helping. You always think the worst of me, Kieran.”I quickly tried to c
JADE’S POVMorning light spilled through the curtains when I heard a knock on my door.“Come in,” I said, brushing my hair.Alvina walked in with her usual calm smile. “You look tired, Jade.”I sighed. “I am. Manuel barely speaks to me anymore. It’s like he’s someone else.”She sat beside me. “I’ve noticed it too. His behavior isn’t normal.”I looked at her hopefully. “You have an idea, don’t you?”Alvina’s lips curved slightly. “Actually, yes. Maybe it’s time we make him realize what he’s losing.”I frowned a little. “What do you mean?”“I mean jealousy,” she said. “Sometimes, when someone doesn’t value what they have, you make them think they’ve lost it.”I blinked. “Jealousy? How can I make my own son jealous?”She smiled mysteriously. “By giving your affection to someone else. There’s a little girl I know, her name is Shirley. Sweet, bright, and smart. I can invite her to stay here for a while. You can treat her kindly in front of Manuel. It might make him realize how much he trul
JADE’S POVThe days after our return were heavy. Everyone seemed to be healing slowly, but I couldn’t.Because the wound I carried wasn’t on my body it was inside my heart.Manuel kept his distance from me.He barely spoke, and when he did, it was only to say hurtful things.Yet every time he looked at me, I still saw the little boy I once rocked to sleep even if his eyes were colder now.One morning, I found him sitting alone in the garden, tossing small stones into the fountain. I walked toward him quietly.“Good morning, sweetheart,” I said softly. “You didn’t come for breakfast.”“I wasn’t hungry,” he replied without looking at me.“You didn’t eat dinner last night either.”“So?” His voice was sharp.I smiled gently. “You’ll get sick if you keep skipping meals.”He picked another stone and threw it hard into the water. “Maybe I want to get sick.”I knelt beside him. “Why would you want that?”He finally looked at me, and my heart hurt when I saw the emptiness in his eyes.“Because