Chapter 47 The Weight of the Crown
CHAPTER 47: The Weight of the Crown
Vera
The door clicked shut behind Chauncey, leaving me alone with Lily. I gathered her closer, my heart aching because of the stress she had gone through at my expense, as her shoulders shook with her silent sobs.
Even as the needle pricked my skin, and I ached in body and soul from my ordeal, I stroked her hair, murmuring soft, soothing words to soothe her. She felt so small and vulnerable in my arms, a reminder of the reason why I had made and will continue to make every sacrifice to keep the world from crushing her.
“Lily, sweetie, it’s okay,” I whispered, forcing a calm into my voice that I didn’t possess, while pressing a kiss to her hair. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She only nodded.
We remained like that until I pulled back slightly, looking into her wide, blue eyes.
“When exactly did Cherry leave for her trip? We haven't spoken in a while, but I had no idea she was planning on going away.”
Lily sat up abruptly, pulling away from my touch as if the question created a sudden physical barrier.
Her gaze flicked briefly to me, before darting to the window, her expression turning strangely guarded.
She shrugged carelessly, her hands busy smoothing the silk sheets.
“I don't know. Last night, I guess? Or maybe yesterday. She was just... gone when I called. She didn't give me the details,” she answered, her voice sounding clipped and evasive.
My brows drew together.
“That's strange. Cherry would tell me if she was supposed to go on a trip.”
“Maybe she doesn't have to tell you everything—”
She halted and glanced at me, apologetic. “I'm sorry, Vee. I'm just so tired.” She tucked her hair behind her hair. “I was up all night worried about you.”
I was hurt. But I swallowed it.
“It's okay. I'm sorry that I put you through all that.”
She didn't look at me, but suddenly, she gripped my hand, her fingers trembling.
“Vera... is Silas mad at me? Is he going to throw us out? Yesterday he looked so upset. Was he mad about the party?”
I saw the raw, naked fear in her eyes…the fear of losing the security and comfort, the luxury, the life that I had sacrificed everything to give her.
Even now, with the rug being pulled off from underneath my feet…even after the video, I couldn't let her see the cliff we were standing on.
I managed to pull a smile.
“No, sweet girl. Nothing of the sort happened, and it isn't going to happen,” I lied, the words tasting like ash. “Silas isn’t mad at you. He was just stressed from work. You’re safe here. I promise you, as long as I’m here, you are safe.”
She nodded, relieved.
There was a knock and the door opened, revealing an older man who I immediately knew must be the doctor that attended to me last night.
“Good morning, Mrs Rutherford. I see you're up.”
“Good morning, doctor.”
“How do you feel?”
“A little woozy, but I feel okay.”
He began to unpack his instruments, and I watched Lily, noticing how she crept into herself. She seemed to dissociate entirely, pulling her phone from her pocket and beginning to lazily scroll through with a detached intensity.
She had never asked about the baby.
When the doctor moved to check my vitals, Lily stood up without casting a glance in my direction.
“I’ll be in my room,” she muttered, her eyes never leaving the screen. She walked out without a backward glance, leaving the room before she could even hear whatever the doctor had to say about the child.
A sharp, cold hurt bloomed in my chest, but I pushed it down.
She was young; she was overwhelmed. Probably still not convinced that the baby wouldn't displace her. I had to believe that.
Mrs. Rutherford,” the doctor began, his eyes searching mine as he pressed the stethoscope to my chest. “Your heart rate is remarkably high this morning.” He sighed, folding the instrument. “Have you been stressed about anything lately?”
I looked toward the door, half-expecting Silas to be standing there in the shadows, watching to see if I divulged our business to the kindly doctor.
I swallowed the truth, anchoring myself to the lie we had built.
“It was just exhaustion, Doctor. So many things have been happening so fast... it all just became too much. I passed out.”
The doctor sighed, a look of profound skepticism crossing his face.
“Well, madam, you have to eliminate all the stressors.”
Panic surged.
“Is anything wrong with my baby?” I asked, my hand going to my stomach.
“For now, the child is safe. But I can't guarantee that if you don't find a way to rest…truly rest. Else, your body is going to stop fighting for this pregnancy. You must remain calm.”
My heart sank. It was going to be hard to do that under the circumstances.
He finished his examination and gave me some medication, some advice, and then he left, leaving me in the chaotic noise of my thoughts.
Moments later, Elena reentered the room carrying a silver tray.
“Good morning, madam. I brought your breakfast, ma'am,” she said softly, setting it on the over-bed table.
I was relieved to see that she was still here. I feared that Silas would have fired her.
I managed a smile. “Thank you, Elena.”
She nodded. “The boss ordered it to be brought up specifically to the room. He was very firm about you staying in bed.”
Of course. My sentence had already started.
Elena lingered, her hands twisting in her apron as she looked at me with genuine worry.
“Are you alright, madam?” Her gaze trailed to my stomach. “And the little one?”
“We’re fine, Elena. Thank you,” I said, offering a genuine smile that someone else was worried about the baby.
I looked at her, a sudden thought occurring to me. “Where is my husband?”
“He’s in his study, I believe,” she replied, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But madam... things are different this morning. The boss has given strict orders.”
I frowned, rising to prop myself up against the pillows.
“About what?”
“He’s made the entire second floor, the wing where the late madam’s things were kept…completely off-bounds. No one is allowed to enter. Not even for cleaning.”
I froze, the piece of toast in my hand feeling like lead.