Chapter 70 ONE QUIET BITE AT A TIME
“Mi say yu no have to eat, Avery,” Leitana repeated gently, catching her sister’s wrist just as the spoon neared her lips. She shook her head, eyes soft with concern.
Avery turned to her, tears brimming.
“And why not?” Avery asked, voice trembling. “I have no choice but to do as you two command. After all, this isn’t my home.”
She tried to pull her hand away, half-hearted, testing but Leitana held on, grip firm yet careful, never tight enough to hurt.
Leitana’s face crumpled, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Why yu say dat? Yu mi sister. Yu family. Mi family. Yu belong here too.”
To everyone else in the room, Avery’s tears looked practiced, her pain a performance. They saw the calculation behind it, the way she twisted the knife, trying to make Leitana feel guilty for existing in this space, for being Ravial’s wife, even though it hadn’t been her choice.
Avery needed her gone.
Avery dropped the spoon with a sharp clang against the plate.
“Don’t say that,” she whispered, tears rolling faster. “Don’t lie to me. I’m living under the roof of my husband… I mean, your husband now.”
Leitana’s hand fell away as if burned.
Avery pressed on, voice rising. “So who am I to reject your amazing meal? I’m just a look-alike copy of you… replaceable, since I’m not the real sister.”
She turned to Ravial, eyes glistening.
The room froze.
Ravial set his glass down with deliberate calm.
“Correct,” he said, voice flat and cold. “You are replaceable.”
Leitana’s head snapped toward him. “Ravial…stop!”
She stepped between them, facing him, tears spilling over.
“Yu no talk to her like dat! She mi sister!”
Ravial’s gaze shifted to Leitana, unreadable.
Avery shoved up from the chair, the legs scraping harshly against the floor.
She pushed Leitana’s reaching hand away, harder than intended and fled, sobs echoing down the hall.
Leitana started after her. “Avery…”
Ravial rose smoothly, blocking her path.
His hand settled on her shoulder, steady and unyielding.
“Let her go.”
Leitana looked up at him, tears streaming. “Why yu say dat? Yu hurt her bad!”
Ravial’s expression remained stone.
“She was hurting you on purpose,” he said coolly. “The same way.”
Leitana shook her head, voice breaking. “No. Dat no true. She jus’ upset. She no mean it.”
He didn’t argue.
Instead, he pulled her gently into his chest, arms wrapping around her small frame.
She resisted for a heartbeat, then crumpled, face buried in his shirt, sobs muffled against him.
He held her close, one hand stroking her hair in slow, deliberate passes, the only way he knew to soothe.
After a moment, his voice rumbled low against her ear.
“I want more.”
She blinked up at him, confused through tears. “More…?”
He nodded toward the table.
“Of your food.”
Her lips trembled.
He was full, she knew it but he said it anyway.
For her.
A watery laugh escaped her.
“Yu full already,” she whispered.
He leaned down, lips brushing away the tears on her cheeks, one side, then the other.
“Little wife,” he murmured, voice velvet-dark and possessive, “come serve your husband.”
The words sent a shiver through her.
She laughed softly, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
The maids in the doorway exchanged quiet smiles, warmth creeping back into the room.
Leitana nodded, slipping from his arms to the table.
She served him more tuluk, more simboro, small, careful portions.
He ate every bite.
Upstairs, Avery paused on the landing.
She had only caught Leitana’s upset voice asking why he’d spoken to her that way.
A small, satisfied smile curved her lips.
She didn’t hear the rest.
Didn’t hear the tenderness that followed.
She turned into her room, closing the door softly.
Believing she’d won a small victory.
While downstairs, the devil mended his lamb’s heart
one quiet bite at a time.
“Help me… help me…”
The voice echoed through the darkness.
Leitana turned sharply.
She stood frozen in endless darkness, heart pounding. The air felt thick and cold, pressing against her skin like deep ocean water back home. No light, no walls, just void, and that voice echoing, pleading.
Is dis dream? she thought, mind racing. It have to be. Mi was in bed wit’ Ravial. We sleeping.
The voice came again, closer, right behind her.
“Help me… please…”
Leitana spun around.
Her eyes widened in shock.
The young woman standing there, she knew that face instantly.
From the photos in the studio. From the whispers.
Celeste Rey.
But younger, paler, tears streaking her cheeks, hair loose and tangled, dress simple and white.
Celeste cocked her head, confusion in her eyes. “I… I’m Celeste. Where am I? Why is it so dark?”
Leitana’s breath caught. Celeste… di dead model.
This had to be a dream. But it felt too real, the chill, the echo of her voice.
“I’m Leitana,” she said slowly, stepping closer. “Yu… yu dead, Celeste. Dis no real place. Mi think dis dream. Yu restless? Yu no can pass on?”
Celeste’s eyes widened, fresh tears falling. “Dead? No… I remember falling. Pain. Then nothing.” She clutched her arms, shivering. “I need to tell someone. Help me.”
Leitana’s heart ached. Back in Vanuatu, the sisters whispered about her gift, seeing lost souls, restless spirits unfinished with the world. But never like this. Never so clear.
“Mi Ravial wife,” Leitana said gently. “Mi hear ‘bout yu. Mi sorry for wat happen.”
Celeste’s gaze sharpened. “Ravial’s… wife? You’re her. The one he married.” Her voice cracked.
Leitana nodded. “Yes. Mi Leitana Ashbourne.”
Celeste’s tears fell faster. “I thought if I could reach him… but they wouldn’t let me.”
“They?” Leitana asked, stepping closer. “Who dey?”
Celeste shook her head, pain twisting her features. “Fuzzy. Shadows. Voices. They hurt me. Made me do things. Said it was for my career. Took everything, money, choices. Then… my life.”
Leitana’s blood chilled. “Dey kill yu?”
Celeste reached out, hand passing through Leitana’s like mist. “Warn him. Warn Ravial. They close to him. Hiding. Please… help me.”
Darkness thickened.
Celeste flickered, fading.
“No. wait!” Leitana cried. “Who dey?”
Celeste’s voice echoed, distant. “Please… help me…”
Then gone.
Leitana jolted awake, gasping.
Ravial’s arm still around her waist, breathing steady.
She sat up, staring into the dark room.
Dat no ordinary dream, she thought.
Celeste come to mi. Restless. She say dey kill her.
She glanced at him, sleeping peacefully.
Who were they?
And how close?
A sudden ring shattered the silence,her phone on the nightstand.
Leitana’s heart leaped to her throat.
She reached for it with shaking hands.
Unknown number.
She stared, thumb hovering.
Something told her not to answer.
But the pull was stronger.
She swiped.
“Hello?” she whispered.
Silence.
Then breathing.
“Who dis?” she asked, her voice soft.