Christy’s POV
The days after I ca back ho blurred together in a haze of tenderness and suffocation.
Every morning, my mother slipped into my room before I even opened my eyes, smoothing the blankets over , brushing my hair back from my face, and murmuring prayers under her breath.
My father brought trays of food, bowls of soup, fruit cut so neatly they looked like works of art, glasses of milk ward just the way I liked it.
He hovered in the doorway with his broad shoulders filling the fra, pretending he wasn’t watching breathe as though I might vanish if he blinked.
I understood their feelings because I was also scared of waking up one day and finding out that it was all just a dream.
So seeing them like this gave a lot of comfort.
And my brothers, Mason and Kelvin were no different.
Mason never let forget I was fragile. He shadowed through the house, barking at servants who carried trays too close, snapping at Kelvin if he laughed too loud, glaring at my father if he suggested I try standing a little longer on my own.
He was a storm contained in a man’s body, and I knew if anyone looked at wrong, he’d break their jaw without hesitation.
He made feel secure and protected, sothing I could have never dreamt of a few months back.
Kelvin, though, was different. He teased softly, joking about how I was being spoiled, sneaking chocolates into my room when our mother insisted I stick to light food. His laughter was the one thing that made feel human again instead of so fragile porcelain doll.
Even with all of this love and protection, I still felt a strong pain in my heart.
How could I ever forget Kendrick, he had pulled out of the abyss I had lived in for years, despite everything he made go through, I still feel very grateful to him because I would have never found my real family if he hadn’t taken out of that abyss.
"Christy," my mother said one morning, breaking from the spiral of my thoughts. She was seated beside , her hand wrapped around mine, her eyes shining in a way that made uneasy.
"Your father and I have been talking. We have decided that it’s ti." she said then paused to look at .
"Ti for what?" I asked her with a frown.
"For the world to see you again." Her smile widened, triumphant and proud.
"We’re going to host a party to announce your return." she said excitedly.
"A party?"I stiffened instantly.
"Yes, a party." She squeezed my hand.
"The invitations have already gone out and by tomorrow night, every council mber, every noble family, every na that matters will be here...and the Black family will also be in attendance" she said the last part with a hesitant tone.
The na hit like a blow.
I pulled my hand back before I could stop myself, my stomach tightening painfully.
No... No, this couldn’t be happening.
I wasn’t ready.
"Mother, isn’t that... too much?" I whispered, my voice shaky.
"I’m still recovering and I don’t think... "II was about to co up with an excuse to have the party canceled.
"Enough." Her tone hardened, though her smile never faded.
"You’re not a ghost, Christy, You’re my daughter and tomorrow, you will shine in front of them all. They need to see you radiant, not hidden away like you are ashad." she said with an emotional tone.
Ashad?
It was more like I was scared of what people will say when they see , what they will say about my past after seeing the video that Celeste had released at the engagent banquet.
"If... if that’s what you think is best." I forced a nod.
Later that afternoon, she returned to my room carrying a long velvet box. Kelvin trailed behind her, curiosity written on their faces. Mira, too, stood in the corner, her arms crossed and her expression blank.
"Open it," my mother said, setting the box on my lap.
I lifted the lid, and gasped when I saw its content.
A gown lay inside, shimring silver-blue silk that seed to ripple like water. Intricate beadwork traced along the bodice in patterns that glimred like starlight, catching the light with every movent. It was breathtaking, more beautiful than anything I had ever seen.
"Mother... It is beautiful." I whispered to her.
"It’s yours, custom-made, designed only for you. Tomorrow, when you walk into that hall, no one will question who you are. You will look like the daughter of this family and they will all know that you are my daughter." she said proudly.
I couldn’t stop the tears from blurring my eyes. The dress wasn’t just fabric, it was a statent.
A declaration to the world that I belonged to this family.
But when I turned my head, I caught Mira’s expression. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her fists clenched at her sides. She clutched the simple dress she had been given earlier, the plainness of it now glaring compared to the masterpiece in my hands.
Jealousy radiated off her and though she forced a smile, her eyes told the truth.
"It’s... lovely, Christy," she said, her voice laced with an usual sweetness.
Before I could answer, the door opened, and Mira’s mother ca in.
Aunt Lydia, my uncle’s second wife.
The fragrance of her perfu was choking and she looked at with unconcealed hatred.
"Well... Quite the effort for a girl who’s already... compromised."she said, her gaze sliding over the gown.
My stomach dropped as soon as her words entered my ears.
"Careful, Lydia, watch your tongue in my house! ." my mother yelled at her angrily.
"I only ant that parading Christy in front of so many guests while she’s expecting... It’s risky, isn’t it? And considering the fact that everyone has seen her shaful video, what if sothing happens? The whispers and mockery will be rciless" She said, feigning innocence
I froze and felt a sudden chill down my spine.
What if I dragged everyone down because of my past?.
But my mother didn’t falter.
"The only thing risky is underestimating my daughter. She will stand tomorrow, radiant and strong. Unlike so people, she doesn’t need to cling to gossip or slander to be noticed." she said with a proud expression while gently rubbing my hands.
Lydia’s smirk faltered, her expression imdiately darkened.
Mira shifted uncomfortably beside her, her eyes darting toward with barely concealed hatred.
"Co, Mira, we won’t intrude anymore since we are not welcod" Lydia snapped, tugging her daughter’s arm
They walked out, the door slamming behind them.
For a mont, silence hung heavy in the room.
"That woman is poisonous, I am only keeping quiet because of my grandfather." Mason muttered under his breath.
"And Mira’s not much better." Kelvin snorted.
I stayed quiet, my fingers brushing over the beaded gown, my heart pounding with fear of the unknown.
By evening, the mansion was unrecognizable. Chandeliers blazed with light, casting golden halos across the marble floors.
Musicians played violins, their notes mingling with the laughter and chatter of arriving guests while servants glided between groups, carrying trays of champagne and wine.
Everywhere I looked, eyes sparkled with curiosity, whispers trailing behind like shadows.
And when my grandfather finally stood, his aura silenced the hall imdiately.
"Tonight, we celebrate the return of my granddaughter, Eva Lancaster. As many of you know, she went missing more than a decade ago and now we have finally found her" he announced with a proud expression.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as I stepped forward. The silver-blue gown shimred under the chandeliers, catching the light with every step. Heads turned, whispers rose, and for a mont all eyes were on .
Until I saw them.
The Blacks.
Raymond’s face hardened into stone, his eyes widening in shock while Celeste’s smirk faltered, disbelief flashing in her expression.
And Kendrick, his gaze was on .
My breath caught in my throat, and I quickly lowered my eyes, focusing on the floor as I couldn’t et his gaze.
I couldn’t let him see anything that would make him realize that I rembered, if he guessed the truth... everything would be revealed.
So I smiled and continued greeting the guests.
Mira suddenly walked towards , her steps graceful with a wide smile. She bumped into with an exaggerated clumsiness, nearly falling the glass of wine from my hand.
"oh! Sister, I’m so sorry, you must be careful as you are pregnant."she cried, her voice pitched high and loud enough for the entire hall to hear.
The hall went deathly silent.
Gasps echoed, followed by whispers and every pair of eyes snapped toward .
I froze in place and it felt like I was back to the mont my video were played on the big screen at the engagent party.
And when I dared to lift my gaze, Kendrick was staring straight at .
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