Chapter 3: A Symbiotic Curse

Zoe walked in silence through the desolate hallway. Now that she was alone, the mask fell away. Exhaustion she couldn't vent settled over her; her already pale face turned a ghostly shade of sallow. That little cat-and-mouse game with Aaron had drained more out of her than she cared to admit.

But if it meant landing a prize like him, she’d do whatever it took.

She nudged her bedroom door open. The room was pitch black and devoid of warmth. The faint, cloying scent of gardenias—Lana’s favorite perfume—lingered in the air.

Zoe froze for a heartbeat, then stepped inside anyway, pulling the door shut. The moment the latch clicked, the room flooded with light.

Lana Thorne was perched on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, her face a mask of murderous intent. Dressed in a silk nightgown with her hair swept into a perfect bun, she looked every bit the elegant princess. But her eyes told a different story.

“Where the hell have you been?” Lana’s voice wasn't its usual sweet facade; it was sharp, laced with vitriol.

Zoe didn't bother answering. She leaned back against the door, letting her eyes adjust to the glare. Her expression remained flat, undisturbed. “Just a walk in the garden.”

“A walk?” Lana let out a harsh, dry laugh. She stood up, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor with a predatory rhythm. “You think I’m an idiot? It’s pouring outside. What were you doing in the garden? Watching the worms? Besides... you don't smell like rain. You smell like...”

She stopped inches from Zoe's face. She was close enough that Zoe could see the green-eyed monster of jealousy devouring her from the inside.

“You smell like my fiancé. Don’t play games with me, Zoe. Stay the hell away from Aaron,” Lana hissed through clenched teeth. “If I see you acting like a little slut around him one more time, you’re dead. Do you hear me?”

The words had barely left her mouth when Lana swung her hand, aiming a sharp slap at Zoe’s face.

But Zoe was a veteran of this particular war. She tilted her head just enough to let the blow whistle past, simultaneously snatching Lana’s slender wrist in a grip of iron.

“Ow!” Lana let out a sharp cry, her face contorting.

“If I die, you die too, Auntie,” Zoe said. Her voice didn't rise or fall, but each word was a sliver of ice driven into Lana’s deepest fear.

Lana went rigid. That sentence had been Zoe’s shield for years—and the curse that bound them together.

Lana’s skin turned a sickly grey. She wrenched her arm free and stumbled back, gasping for air. “You... you dare use that to threaten me?”

“It’s not a threat.” Zoe held up her arm, indifferently eyeing the cluster of needle marks on her skin. “It’s a reality check. My life and yours have been tied at the hip for a long time.”

Lana looked as if she’d been slapped. The truth—that she only stayed alive thanks to the "blood supply" of a niece she despised was a constant rot in her pride. In front of this girl, Lana could never truly hold her head high. She hated that look in Zoe’s eyes.

“You...” Lana hissed, her eyes bloodshot. She couldn't break Zoe physically, but she had other ways. “You’re right. Your life is very important. But did you forget? I’m the one who holds the key to your comfort.”

She raked her eyes over Zoe with pure disdain, a cruel smile spreading across her lips. “No meds for you this month. Enjoy the withdrawal, you little bitch.”

With a haughty toss of her head, Lana turned, slammed the door, and vanished.

Left alone in the hollow silence, Zoe finally let the act crumble. she slid slowly down the door until she hit the floor, curling into a ball and clutching her trembling shoulders.

The pain was coming. It hit faster and harder than she expected—thousands of needles stabbing directly into her bone marrow. She bit her lip so hard the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, forcing back the scream.

But her eyes weren't filled with fear or despair.

They were fueled by a raging fire of hatred, ready to burn the whole world down.

Time is running out, she thought. She needed Aaron Kael on her side. She needed him now. If she won this gamble, she might actually live. If she lost... he’d be the one to bury her.

Fine. Let’s double down.

...

“Aaron, sit here.” Lana beamed the moment Aaron Kael appeared the next morning. “Did you sleep well?”

“Fine,” Aaron replied, taking the empty seat beside her.

Victor Thorne looked between them. “Look at you two. I’ve never seen my sister care about anyone this much.”

Lana played the part of the blushing bride-to-be, her cheeks turning a soft pink. “Don’t say that, Victor. You’ll make him laugh at me.”

“Well, it’s clear my sister is quite taken with you.”

Aaron remained silent. The back-and-forth between the siblings made his skin crawl, but he gave a curt nod out of sheer politeness.

“My wife and son are out today, so you’ll have to meet them another time,” Victor added.

“No need for formalities, Mr. Thorne,” Aaron said indifferently.

“Right, right. We’re going to be family soon anyway.” Victor let out a boisterous laugh. “How are your parents doing?”

“They’re well.”

“And your work? It must be high pressure. I always wondered why you chose the hard road. You could return to the Kael empire, rule the world from a corner office, rather than running around doing such dangerous work.”

Aaron shot him a look that could have curdled milk. Victor caught the hint and instantly reigned in his smile. “Just thinking out loud... youth needs ambition! Good for you!”

Zoe, along with a few servants, began setting the table. she moved with a quiet, fluid grace, her head bowed in a show of perfect obedience. As she placed a plate of pastries next to Aaron, she leaned in slightly.

When no one was looking, she brushed her lips against the shell of his ear, whispering so only he could hear: “Did you sleep well, Uncle?”

Her voice was honeyed and sweet, but it grated on Aaron’s nerves like a jagged blade.

He frowned. It was the exact same question Lana had asked, but coming from her, it dripped with a completely different meaning. By the time he looked up, Zoe had already straightened, continuing her work as if the moment had been a hallucination.

“Zoe, come sit,” Lana said with a fake smile, waving her over. “We’re all family here.”

Zoe flashed a bright smile and took the seat directly across from Aaron. Lana’s expression soured for a second, but she couldn't very well make her move now.

The meal began in relative silence. Lana was a whirlwind of staged affection, constantly piling food onto Aaron’s plate.

“Aaron, try this. Our chef is incredible.”

“Have some of this tea; it’s good for your health.”

Aaron gave minimal nods. He barely touched his food, blocking out Lana’s chatter, wanting nothing more than for the meal to end.

Zoe ate her portion slowly, looking like she didn't have a care in the world.

But under the table, it was a different story.

Zoe kicked off her slipper. Her bare foot traveled slowly across the gap, the arch of her foot brushing against Aaron’s trouser leg.

He went still, his eyes darting toward her. She was still looking down at her plate, her long hair shielding her face.

Lana, oblivious, prattled on about wedding plans. “I was thinking the Imperial Hotel. The ballroom there is stunning. What do you think, Aaron?”

Aaron didn't answer.

Zoe’s foot didn't just touch him; it began to slide up his calf, a slow, serpentine caress.

Aaron moved his leg away. She followed instantly, giving him no room to escape.

“Aaron?” Lana’s voice took on a sharp edge when he didn't respond.

“We'll talk later,” Aaron said, his voice tight.

In a corner where no one could see, Zoe looked up. She locked eyes with him, the corners of her mouth twitching into a tiny, triumphant smirk.

Aaron’s eyes darkened. He felt her toes reach his knee, bold and unyielding.

He took a slow sip of his tea, meeting her provocative gaze head-on.

If she wanted to play, fine. He’d play.

Lana still noticed nothing, only that Aaron was staring at Zoe. She spoke up, her voice a mix of faux-maternal concern and a veiled threat.

“Zoe, darling, you’re eating so little. You need your strength.” She turned to Aaron with a practiced smile. “This girl has been frail since she was a child. I have to look after her so carefully.”