chapter 4

The kitchen had become my only escape

Every morning, before anyone woke up, I would quietly prepare breakfast.

And every night, long after everyone had gone to bed, I would cook again.

Not for myself

For him

Damian

I didn’t know why I kept doing it

Maybe it was habit

Maybe it was hope

Or maybe… I was just foolish.

I carefully arranged the dishes on the tray, making sure everything looked perfect

Just the way he liked it

Even though he didn’t know it was me.

The maids always took the credit.

And I let them

Because it was easier that way.

Easier than facing his cold eyes

Easier than hearing his harsh words again.

---

Days turned into weeks.

And still…

he never knew.

---

That afternoon, I was in the kitchen again when I heard footsteps.

I froze.

Nora.

She walked in slowly, her heels clicking against the floor.

Her eyes scanned the counter before landing on the food I had just prepared.

A slow smile spread across her lips.

“Well… well…” she said softly. “Look at you.”

My hands tightened around the edge of the table.

“I was just doing my job,” I muttered.

She stepped closer, her gaze sharp.

“Your job?” she repeated. “Or your pathetic attempt to win him over?”

My chest tightened.

“I’m not trying to win anyone,” I said quietly.

She laughed.

“Oh, please. Cooking for him every day? Making his favorite meals?” she leaned closer. “You must really think you have a chance.”

I said nothing.

Because deep down…

I didn’t even know the answer myself.

Her smile faded slightly.

“You’re more stubborn than I thought,” she said.

Then she pulled out her phone.

“Let me help you understand something.”

My brows furrowed.

“What do you mean?”

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she tapped her screen and turned it toward me.

My heart stopped.

It was a video.

Of her.

And Damian.

Kissing

My heart ponded in my ear

Why was i feeling this way—betrayed hurting

My fingers trembled as I stared at the screen.

“ this happened just this morning,” Nora said casually—flipping her hair to show a fresh hickey "Thought you might want to see how happy we are.”

My stomach churned from disgust

Every second of that video felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest.

“That’s where he belongs,” she continued. “With me.”

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“You don’t belong in his world, Clarice.”

Her voice dropped, cold and sharp.

“You’re just a mistake.”

My breathing grew uneven.

Still… I stayed silent.

Because what could I say?

She stepped closer one last time.

“Keep cooking,” she whispered. “Keep pretending.”

Then she smiled.

“It won’t change anything.”

---

That night, I made dinner again.

Just like always.

But this time…

my hands shook.

And when I finally placed the tray down—

I realized something.

I wasn’t doing this for him anymore.

I was doing it…

because I was falling,

something that I shouldn't dream of

I wasn't his type, he never went for girls like me

Nora was right.

I was trying to win someone that was never mine to begin with