Chapter 61: His girlfriend.

Amaarae's POV 

I was shocked by his words, I stood there for a few seconds staring at him foolishly and trying to see him burst into laughter from my gaze but he just kept a straight face.

He wasn't lying, it wasn't a prank.

I was shocked to my core.. I felt deceived. I couldn't believe he would be fucking and giving me all those hopes when he has another person all along.

I slapped my cheeks in disappointment, tears ran down my face as I screamed at myself in the mirror. Again, the pain of not having a mate hit me.

I didn't sob. I didn't cry. I didn't weep.

I didn't think either but that didn't mean I was happy or filled with wonderful thoughts at this moment but it just meant that I was numb.

I just stood in the middle of the room.. I thought about what would happen next. I didn't know my next plan or action. 

This was the final straw, I finally broke and I fell to the ground with my head tucked in-between my legs.

I shuddered, my shoulders quivering as I cried like a child.. feeling helpless.

I felt abandoned again.

I picked my lifeless body off the floor as I headed to the bed and I slumped on it.

My head hit the soft surface and my eye lids went shut in fatigue.

______

I wake up to the familiar sound of voices, the chatter of the maids bustling around the room like they’re part of some unseen routine. I let my eyes open slowly, adjusting to the pale sunlight that filters through the curtains.

“Good morning, Miss Amaarae,” Lilian says, her tone bright and annoyingly cherry.

“Morning,” I mumble, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

“Your bath is ready,” she adds, gesturing toward the adjoining bathroom where I can already see the steam rising.

I drag myself out of bed and let them guide me, their movements practiced and precise. They’re already talking among themselves, their voices overlapping like birds in the early morning.

“Careful, don’t make the water too hot,” one of them says.

“It’s fine, Miss Amaarae doesn’t like scalding,” another replies.

I sigh as I step into the bath, letting the warmth sink into my skin. I close my eyes and try to ignore the faint unease gnawing at the back of my mind.

“What’s with the extra attention today?” I ask casually, not opening my eyes.

“Attention? It’s just a regular day, Miss,” Lilian answers too quickly.

“No, it’s not,” I say, cracking an eye open to look at her.

She smiles, but it’s strained. “You deserve to look your best, that’s all.”

Her answer doesn’t sit right with me, but I don’t push. Not yet.

When they finish bathing me, they dry me off and set to work dressing me. The gown they’ve picked is elegant, white and flowing like something meant for an important event. I frown as they tighten the bodice, their hands moving deftly.

“This feels...a bit much,” I say, gesturing to the dress.

“You look stunning,” Lilian says, stepping back to admire their handiwork.

“And this?” I point to my face as another maid dusts blush onto my cheeks and applies a bold crimson lipstick.

“It’s just a little extra care,” she replies with a shrug, avoiding my gaze.

A bad feeling settles in my stomach, but I tell myself it’s nothing. I’m probably overthinking it.

When I enter the dining room, I stop in my tracks.

There’s a woman sitting there, someone I’ve never seen before. She’s poised, her back straight and her hands resting delicately on the table. She’s dressed impeccably, her face painted with the kind of innocence that feels calculated. Her smile is soft, almost inviting, but there’s something sharp behind it.

“Good morning, Amaarae,” Lucas says, breaking the silence. He’s lounging in his usual spot, his expression neutral.

I force myself to move, my steps deliberate as I take my seat at the far end of the table. “Morning,” I reply, my eyes darting to the woman briefly before I focus on the plate in front of me.

The room feels heavier with her in it, the air thick with an unspoken tension. I don’t like it.

The meal begins, and the silence is oppressive. I eat mechanically, not tasting the food, my mind racing with questions.

Finally, the woman speaks. “So, who are you?” she asks, her tone light, but her gaze heavy.

The question catches me off guard. I pause, my fork hovering mid-air. I glance at Lucas, hoping for some explanation, but he only shrugs, as if this is all perfectly normal.

“Who am I?” I repeat slowly, setting my fork down. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Her smile widens slightly. “I’m...a friend of Lucas,” she says, her tone dripping with false sweetness.

A friend? I don’t believe her. Lucas doesn’t bring “friends” here, especially not ones like her.

The silence stretches again, but this time it’s taut, like a thread about to snap. I push my food around on my plate, pretending not to care, but the unease inside me is growing.

When the meal is finally over, the woman stands, her movements graceful and deliberate. “Would you join me in the garden?” she asks, her voice smooth and unwavering.

I hesitate, every instinct screaming at me to refuse. But refusing would show weakness, and I’m not about to give her that satisfaction.

“Sure,” I say, standing and smoothing my dress.

The garden is serene, a stark contrast to the tension humming between us. The path is lined with blooming flowers, their colors vivid against the greenery. She walks ahead, her steps confident, and I follow, keeping a safe distance.

When we reach the stone bench at the center of the garden, she turns to face me. Her smile is still there, but it feels like a mask, hiding something far more sinister.

“So, Amaarae,” she begins, her tone light and conversational. “Tell me about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell,” I reply evenly, meeting her gaze.