Chapter 78: Twisted Reflections

Lila's laughter echoed through the office, sharp and unhinged, as if she found the entire situation amusing. But her eyes—her dark, calculating eyes—were anything but playful.  

Isabella didn't move from her spot, her body language stiff and ready.  

"State your price," Ivy bit out, already exhausted. "How much do you want?"  

Lila’s brows lifted, amusement flickering across her face. “Oh? So quick to put a price on things, sister dearest.”  

Ivy glanced at Isabella, who was still positioned protectively next to her, then leaned in slightly towards Lila. “Drop your details. I’ll have the account wire it to you.”  

At that, Lila threw her head back and laughed—loud, maniacal, unapologetic.  

Isabella observed the exchange with keen interest, her gaze flickering between the two identical faces. It was as if, for the first time, she truly registered just how much they mirrored each other. The same sharp features, different eye colors, and where Ivy’s expression was cold and controlled, Lila’s was unpredictable, burning with something dark and untamed.  

Lila wiped at the corner of her eye dramatically, still chuckling. “You really think I’m here for money?” Her lips curled, and she took a single step closer. “Do you even think properly, Aria? Do you really believe you can put a tag on your life? That your existence can be paid off like some cheap business deal? Come on sister!”  

Ivy rolled her eyes, already growing impatient. “Just get to the point. What do you want? How can I possibly repay you for your… generosity?”  

She stepped forward, closing the space between them, but Isabella immediately moved, blocking her again.  

“Enough,” Ivy snapped, calling her off.  

Reluctantly, Isabella stepped aside, though her entire body remained tense, ready for anything.  

Lila didn’t waste another second. She skipped forward playfully, stopping just short of Ivy’s personal space. Then, leaning in so that only Ivy could hear, she whispered:  

“I just want to walk in your fancy heels for a week.” Her breath was warm against Ivy’s ear, and she exaggerated every syllable, letting the words sink in. “So, you’ll walk in my worn-out trainers for a week, too.”  

Ivy’s expression didn’t shift. Not an inch. But inside, something simmered—something dangerous.  

“Can you even walk in heels?” Ivy asked after a long, assessing stare, her tone dismissive, like Lila was the least of her worries.  

Lila’s lips stretched into a slow, knowing smirk. “Can you walk in filthy trainers, princess?”  

The tension in the room coiled tighter.  

“So,” Lila continued, her voice light, taunting. “What’s it gonna be? Are you brave… or are you a coward?”  

The air between them crackled.  

Lila didn’t actually expect Ivy to agree. No, this was just another one of her mind games, another twisted attempt to drag Ivy into the dirt and have fun while at it.  

But that wasn’t just why Lila had come.  

No. The truth was… someone else had found her first.  

\---

*Two Nights Ago* 

The alleyway was dark, the distant hum of the city muffled by the thick fog that clung to the ground. Lila leaned against the cold brick wall, arms crossed, her hoodie pulled low over her face.

A flicker of embers glowed at her lips before she exhaled, sending a slow ribbon of smoke swirling into the night.

And then, as if summoned by the very shadows themselves, she appeared.  

The strange woman.

Her figure was draped in layers of tattered black fabric, her hair long, silver, and unnatural. She didn’t walk—she glided, her presence making the very air around her feel heavier.  

“You actually showed up,” Lila mused, pushing off the wall.  

The woman ignored her and leaned closer, as though she's staring right into Lila's soul.

“They call me Dina,” she muttered looking at Lila as though she's intrigued.

Lila’s eyes gleamed. “I know that you're a sorceress, that's why I've been expecting you. So? What’s the plan?”  

Dina studied her for a long moment, then exhaled, as if weighing her words carefully. “You and I… we have different agendas,” she finally said.  

Lila’s jaw tightened. “If you’re backing out—”  

“Oh, no.” Dina smiled, but it was all teeth. “I still want the bad egg gone. But tell me, dear girl… what do you want?”  

Lila hesitated. She should have had an immediate answer. But the truth was… she didn’t know.  

She wanted Ivy to suffer.  

She wanted her to feel what it was like to lose everything, to have the ground ripped from under her feet.  

She wanted her life to burn.  

But was that really enough?  

Dina seemed to sense her turmoil, because she reached into her sleeve and pulled something out. A small dark red stone, pulsing faintly as if it were alive.  

Lila instinctively took a step back.  

Dina smirked. “Oh, don’t be shy. This little thing will help us get your sister right where we want her.”  

Lila’s fingers twitched. “What does it do?”  

Dina tilted her head. “Let’s just say… once she wears it, she won’t have anywhere to run. No matter how far she tries to go, we’ll always find her.” 

"Is that all?" Lila asked, a little disappointed and Dina nodded.

Lila stared at the red stone for a long moment.  

Then, slowly, she reached out and took it.  

\---

**Present**  

Ivy’s stare was unwavering, but Lila knew. She knew her sister was seething inside.  

And that made it all the more satisfying.  

“Are you done?” Ivy finally said, voice clipped.  

Lila just smiled.  

Ivy exhaled sharply. “Leave.”  

She walked back to her desk, already reaching for her phone. “Drop your account number. I’ll have the transfer wired immediately.”  

Lila’s grin widened. “Oh, Ivy… you’re so predictable.”  

She leaned in one last time, and as she did, her fingers brushed against Ivy’s wrist—just for a second. Just long enough to slip the red stone into the folds of her blazer.  

It was done.  

She pulled back, feigning boredom. “Think about my request, will you?”  

Ivy’s nostrils flared. “Get out.”  

Lila laughed. “You know where to find me when you’re ready.”  

Ivy growled and turned to Isabella. “Make sure she leaves the building. And don’t let her branch anywhere.”  

Isabella didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Lila by the arm, dragging her toward the door.  

Lila didn’t resist.  

She simply pulled her hoodie back over her head, adjusted her mask, and let herself be shoved forward.  

But just before they stepped out, she turned her head slightly, whispering just loud enough for Ivy to hear:  

“See you soon, sister.”  

The door slammed shut behind them.  

And as soon as they were gone, Ivy buried her face in her hands… and screamed.  

It didn’t matter how far she had come.  

It didn’t matter how much she had built for herself.  

Her sister always had a way of sinking her claws right back into her skin. 

Just then —A sharp knock on the door.  

Ivy exhaled through gritted teeth. “What now?”  

The door creaked open anyway.