Chapter 270 The Blindfold Falls

Chapter 270 The Blindfold Falls
LEITANA

Lila kept talking.

She talked a lot.

About how hard it was being a single mother in the village, how expensive food had become, how the tourists sometimes came and made everything feel different.

Her eyes kept drifting back to my belly, like she was measuring it.

“You’re glowing,” she said, tilting her head. “How far along are you now?”

“Almost six months,” I answered politely, rubbing my hand over it.

“Five months… that’s beautiful.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You know, there’s a really nice hidden spot just a short walk from here. A secret pool behind the main waterfall. Very quiet. No tourists. I can show you if you want? It’s perfect for pregnant mothers, the water is supposed to be good for the baby.”

I hesitated, glancing over at Rosie. She was laughing loudly, splashing water with Koa and two other children.

“Mi can’t leave Rosie,” I said gently. “She’s having too much fun.”

Lila waved her hand, still smiling. “Oh, she’ll be fine! The children are playing together. My cousin is watching them. Come on, it will only take ten minutes. You look like you need a break. All that carrying a baby… it must be tiring.”

She stood up and offered her hand, still smiling that same wide smile.

I didn’t want to be rude. She seemed nice enough, just a little pushy. I stood up slowly, brushing sand from my dress.

“Okay… but just for a little bit.”

The moment I took a step, three of Ravial’s men appeared from where they had been standing at a distance. One of them, a tall, serious man named Kael stepped in front of me immediately.

“Mrs. Ashbourne,” he said firmly, voice respectful but firm. “You cannot leave the main area.”

I blinked, surprised. “It’s just a short walk…”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Orders from Mr. Ashbourne. You stay where we can see you.”

Lila’s smile faltered for the first time. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and something flashed across her face, annoyance, maybe even anger before she quickly hid it behind another smile.

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice a little too sweet. “We don’t have to go. I understand. Your husband is… very protective.”

I nodded, feeling awkward. “Yes. He is.”

Lila looked at me for a long second, her eyes flicking to my belly again. Then she gave a small laugh that didn’t sound real.

“Well… maybe next time. Take care of yourself, Leitana.”

She turned and walked back toward the children, but I noticed the way her shoulders were tense. The warm, friendly feeling from earlier had completely disappeared.

I sat back down on the rock, my heart beating a little faster.

Something about her… definitely wasn't right.

I sat back down on the warm flat rock near the pool, then the sound of the waterfall was soothing, like a lullaby. Before I knew it, my eyes were closing. I leaned against a smooth boulder, one hand resting on my belly, and drifted off into a light sleep.

I didn’t know how long I slept.

“Mrs. Ashbourne…”

A gentle voice woke me, Kael was crouched beside me.

“It’s getting late,” he said softly. “We should head back.”

I blinked, rubbing my eyes. The sky had turned into deep oranges and purples. Rosie was already half-asleep in the arms of another guard, her head resting on his shoulder, Mr. Fluffy dangling from her small hand.

I stood up slowly, still a little groggy. “Okay… let’s go home.”

We walked back toward the car, the guards staying close. The path was quiet now, most visitors had already left. As we reached the vehicle, a voice suddenly called out behind us.

“Leitana!”

I turned.

Lila was rushing toward us, breathing a little fast. She stopped a few feet away, smiling brightly, but her eyes flicked nervously toward the three guards surrounding me.

“I hope we meet again,” she said, her voice sweet and soft. “It was really nice talking to you today.”

I nodded politely, though something still felt off. “Yes… nice meeting you too, Lila.”

We stared at each other for a moment. Her smile stayed fixed, but her eyes were sharp, almost calculating. One of the guards stepped forward slightly.

“Mrs. Ashbourne, please get in the car.”

I nodded and turned away, letting the guard help me into the backseat. Rosie was already settled beside me, fast asleep. As the car started moving, I looked out the window one last time.

Lila was still standing there, watching the car drive away. Her smile had faded and behind her, something glinted, a small flash of metal or glass in the fading light. I couldn’t see clearly what it was.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Something wrong with that woman,” I muttered under my breath, rubbing my arms. “Hopefully mi won’t see her again.”

The car pulled away from the cascades, heading back toward the villa. I leaned my head against the window, watching the dark trees pass by, my hand resting on my belly.

But the uneasy feeling stayed with me the whole way home.

When we finally arrived, one of the guards gently carried Rosie inside. I followed closely, kissing her forehead as he laid her down in her little bed. She stirred for a second, murmuring something unintelligible, then fell back into deep sleep.

I smiled softly and tucked the blanket around her before leaving the room.

Our bedroom was empty when I stepped inside. No sign of Ravial. The lamps were on low, casting a warm golden glow, but the space felt strangely quiet without him. I sighed, my body aching from the long day in the sun and water. I needed to wash the sand and sweat off me.

I pulled off my dress slowly, letting it drop to the floor, followed by my underclothes. Naked, I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water felt like heaven, washing away the tiredness and the strange unease from earlier. I took my time, letting the water run over my growing belly, whispering soft prayers for our baby.

When I finished, I dried myself and slipped into a soft white robe, tying it loosely around my waist. My hair was still damp, curls falling over my shoulders as I stepped back into the bedroom.

I gasped loudly, nearly jumping out of my skin.

Ravial was standing a few feet away, completely still, watching me.

“Mi Ravial!” I cried, pressing a hand to my chest. “Yu scared me! I didn’t even hear you come in.”

He said nothing.

Just stood there, tall and silent in the dim light, still fully dressed in his black shirt and trousers. His blindfold was still in place, but something about the way he was looking at me even without seeing his eyes made my heart beat faster.

I frowned, tilting my head.

“Mi Ravial… what’s wrong?”

He still didn’t speak.

Then, slowly, his hand moved behind his head.

My breath caught in my throat as his fingers found the knot of the blindfold.

He untied it.

The black silk slipped from his face and fell to the floor.

I gasped sharply, my eyes widening in shock.