chapter five- The mask

Zebulunia POV

My heels echoed against the marble as we walked through the main hall. Everything was beautiful, yes, but also cold.

Even before I saw anyone, I felt unwelcome.

Maybe it was because Damon had warned me about his brother. How Ethan felt embarrassed after what happened last night. That alone had unsettled me. What kind of man gets embarrassed for humiliating someone else?

The more I thought about it, the more I realised how twisted people could be.

We passed through the front hallway and stepped into what had to be the main sitting room. The furniture was expensive…

I barely had time to admire it before…. I saw them.

Ethan Cross, relaxed on the couch like a man who'd never felt shame. His shirt half done, belt loose, hand wrapped in the hair of a woman straddling him. Her blouse was halfway down her shoulder. Her body was pressed to his like they were something private and safe.

Really? He's already with another woman, such a jerk. He seemed to be enjoying what he was doing, so why get interested in me?

They hadn't even noticed us.

If all this was necessary, it would have been done in the bedroom, I cursed inwardly.

Then she turned, slightly and laughed at something he whispered.

That laugh. I knew it.

Then she turned fully then, my heart suddenly felt heavy.

“Amber!” The name came out before I could stop it. It was loud and shaky.

She stared at me, eyes wide, lips parted.

This morning she hugged me, told me I deserved better. She said she would always be by my side.

And now here she was.

Half undressed. In the arms of the man who left me at the ball and made a joke of me, I'm in front of everyone.

“Zee-” she started, scrambling off his lap.

“Don't you dare call me that “my voice cracked,louder than I expected. Rage flooded me. “What the hell is going on?!”

Amber looked pitiful. I knew deep down she was feigning. “It's not what it looks like”

“Really?” I almost laughed bitterly “you are here, almost making out with the same man that I almost got engaged to, who humiliated me”

Ethan learned back there, unbothered. A smug smirk pulled at his lips. “Well, I'm not your husband, am I?”

I turned back to Amber, hopefully stupidly she would defend me.

Instead, her expression changed. Her voice turned sharp.

“Why are you acting like this? He's not your husband, Zee. You said it yourself.”

That nickname sounded like a slap now.

“Is that supposed to justify what you did?” My voice was trembling, but loud. “You didn’t even wait a day.”

Amber’s arm folded. She looked at Damon then me like I was the problem. “You always act like a victim. Maybe it's time to ask yourself why you're always the one being forcefully chosen.”

Her words were like claws. They tore through my chest. I stumbled back a step, stunned. I never expected betrayal to come from her, not her.

I couldn't even respond.

Then a warm hand touched my shoulder.

I turned sharply. Damon.

His eyes were locked on Ethan, jaw clenched tight. His voice was low and steady, but something burned beneath it.

“Come,” he said. “Let's go upstairs.”

I didn't argue, I couldn't. My body moved on instincts as I followed him up the grand staircase, step after step, with my heart pounding in my ears.

My sister.

Inside a large bedroom, Damon shut the door behind us and turned to face me. If I wasn't mistaken, I saw pity in his eyes. I hated pity.

The room was like something from a designer catalog-charcoal and gold accent, wide windows,smooth black flooring. Everything looked expensive and untouched. I barely noticed.

“Whatever you saw,” Damon said gently, “let it go, Ethan’s a snake. And Amber…” He pronounced her name like she personally knows her “she's not your enemy unless you let her be.”

I stared at him. “How many people do I have to betray me?” My voice cracked,but I didn't cry. “First my parents, then Ethan…now her. Amber was my favourite person.”

He stepped closer. “You're not alone now.” His voice was steady. “Just rest, I have to handle some work, but I'll come back.”

Then he left.

I stood in the silence. Rage and pain burned inside me. I was trying to hold myself together, but everything felt like I was slipping.

Eventually, I lay back… and sleep took me.

~

When I woke up, the sky outside was glowing orange. The room looked softer now, drenched in evening light.

He still wasn't back. I had no idea how long he'd been out, but the ache in my chest was still there.

I stood and made my way to the bathroom, letting my dress fall to the floor. The shower was hot and quiet. Steam rose around me,and I let the water rinse away what tears I hadn’t cried yet.

When I stepped back into the bedroom, wrapped in a thick towel, hair damp and skin warm… I stopped.

Damon was there.

Standing near the window.

Shirtless.

My breath hitched.

His back was to me, but the view alone was enough to steal every thought from my mind. His body was sculptured; broad shoulders, strong arms, muscles shifting as he moved.

He looked like something out of a fantasy, one you're not supposed to admit you've had.

Then he turned.

And his eyes met mine.

I couldn't look away even though I tried so damn hard.

His gaze pinned me in place. There was no smugness, no teasing, just that intensity. Like he could see through me.

I was breathing fast.

My hand curled at my sides, and for a second, I almost dropped my towel. I'd never been so exposed like this. Not to a man. Not in a room so quiet, with tension thick enough to taste.

Then I realised…

His eyes hadn’t dropped once. He was staring at my face.

And my face…

My mask!.

I wasn't wearing it.

My face was bare.

I felt my stomach twist. My breath stopped.

Then….

He started walking towards me.