Chapter 16

While my father continued screaming at me, I merely ignored them as I walked away.

Melissa ran up to me. “You’re going to regret making an enemy of your family, Elara.”

I rolled my eyes at her as I finally entered the car.

In the car, I noticed Tony staring at me through the window every five seconds.

“Tony, do you have something to say?” I finally asked, catching his eyes in the mirror.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.” He said, stiffly.

“I’m completely fine.” I snapped.

He didn’t say anything as he continued driving.

“I’m sorry. I’m just a bit on edge. I have dealt with a lot today. You saw it firsthand: first Vivienne and now people who are supposed to be my family. I guess I just always thought they could change. It’s all just overwhelming, but at the same time, I’m happy I stood up to them. I feel… lighter.”

He nodded. “If he wasn’t your father, he would have lost his hand.”

He really was a man of few words.

“Thanks for that earlier. I appreciate you stepping in.” I gave him a small smile.

We drove home in a comfortable silence.

When I got home, Rose took my bag as usual as she followed me to my room.

“Ma’am, are you alright? You look exhausted.”

I yawned. I was very tired.

“I am a bit tired. I might take a short nap before having dinner. I’ll take it from here, Rose. Just please make sure I’m not disturbed.”

She nodded and walked off.

At the intersection to the hallway of my room, I bumped into Cassian, like I walked smack into him.

“S..sorry.” I said, trying to hold back a yawn as he steadied me.

His hand rested on my waist before pulling it back.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded as I walked to my room. I just threw my clothes in different corners and crashed into bed.

I was that exhausted.

I woke up around 7 pm. I felt rested, but I was still a bit tense. I had Cassian’s loving Mother to thank for that.

I walked straight to my canvas as I got to painting. If I painted, I would feel better.

I had no idea if what I was feeling was fear, anger, or frustration, but I knew one thing for sure. I was tired of being treated as a pawn for my parents, I was tired of being treated as a baby breeder for Vivienne.

I put down my brush as I looked at my now filled canvas. I liked this.

I had finally managed to paint something tangible.

It expressed everything I was feeling.

I smiled at my progress.

My pieces were coming together nicely.

I had four ready now. I looked around and saw there were only three. Huh?

Where was the last one? I had wrapped four, and this one I just finished should have made it five, but one was missing.

I searched my room, but I didn’t find it. It was a huge painting. It shouldn’t be hard to miss.

“Ma’am, can I come in?” Rose peeked her head in as I paused what I was doing. She was holding a tray of food.

“Is that for me?” I asked, smiling at her.

Rose had really been nice to me since I got here. She was the only one who treated me like a person. Of course, I had told her to call me by my name, but I guess she just couldn’t

“Yes.” She walked in as she dropped the tray on the bed.

“Did someone take one of my paintings?” I asked her.

“Oh, Mr. Rooke said he wanted to purchase one of them. I thought he already informed you. I had it placed in his study already.”

Cassian bought one of my paintings? Why?

“Is there a problem, ma’am? I can bring it back if you’d like.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Although I appreciated the effort, I didn’t like him going through my paintings. That was invasive.

I guess he probably saw them when I placed them in the garden to catch some light.

I needed to see him anyway. I needed to talk to him about his mother. He needed to get her off my back because I couldn’t handle her anymore.

I wolfed down the food, since I didn’t have any lunch.

I decided to shower before going down to look for him.

I sat in front of my mirror blow-drying my hair as I hummed. I was, well, in a good mood.

I mean, yes, Vivienne ruined my day, but I still ended it by standing up to my parents. I was very proud of that.

When I was done, I left my room.

I thought about going to his study but decided against it. I didn’t want to be called a snoop.

I’ll just ask Rose.

As I made my way downstairs, I heard noises from the garden.

Maybe that was where he was. I was sure he was with Celeste.

I saw them before they saw me.

They were talking.

I watched them. They were always so close.

I opened my mouth to speak when I froze up at the sight in front of me.

Cassian and Celeste were kissing. I wasn’t hallucinating. I didn’t pull away early enough to not see it.

It was there, right there in front of me. They were kissing.

And Cassian didn’t seem to be pushing her away.