Chapter 21 Lily
CHAPTER 21:
Lily
I stepped out of the tub, water sliding down my skin in lazy rivulets, steam curling thick around the bathroom. I almost didn't want to leave the luxurious tub, but I had to if I wanted to make it to school…fashionably late.
I wrapped a towel around myself and walked straight to the mirror.
For a moment, I just stared.
I liked doing that. I took great pride in my stunning features.
Tilting my head, I leisurely admired myself the way I’d learned to do over the years, reveling in my beauty like armor.
Once, Cherry had called it ‘being vain’.
But I didn’t care.
My fair skin was smooth and glowing, my thick long hair, damp and dark against my shoulders, my lips naturally pink from the heat.
My hand slowly lifted, and my fingers pressed against my lips. Then my mind drifted. Last night, I kissed a man. A full grown man.
Chauncey.
The memory of his face when I kissed his cheek rose uninvited. The way his body had gone completely still. The pure, stunned disbelief in his eyes. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I smiled before I could stop myself.
It was stupid. Reckless. Completely impulsive.
And yet… thrilling.
I loved it. I loved that I could get such a reaction from someone older. It gave me a delicious thrill and sense of power.
Still smiling, I dropped the towel to apply lotion on my body, then my gaze dropped to the scar.
It was barely noticeable now, thin and pale against my skin, a tiny silvery line, tucked low on my abdomen where most people would never look. But I saw it. I always did.
My fingers brushed over it lightly.
The smile vanished, replaced by anger and disgust.
That scar had stolen something from me. It reminded me that no matter how beautiful I looked, no matter how confident I acted,I still had a flaw, just like everyone else.
I swallowed hard, blinking fast, refusing to let the familiar ache settle too deep.
Not today.
I quickly applied the lotion without another look in the mirror. Once I was done, I reached for the discarded towel just as my phone rang.
It was Janice. My friend.
I frowned and answered. “Hello?”
“Where are you?”
I rolled my eyes. “At home. Preparing for school. What is it?” I asked, walking into the bedroom.
“You’re trending,” she said breathlessly. “And not in a good way.”
I stopped walking. “What do you mean?”
“Riley’s spread news that you lied about Silas Rutherford being your brother-in-law. It's all over the school.”
Something hot and ugly flared in my chest.
I ended the call before she could speak further.
I tossed the phone on the bed and marched into my new closet.
Since the hospitalisation, I have not been to school.
So, if they wanted a spectacle, I’d give them one. No one would ever get one over me.
I pulled out the uniform I’d had specially made for my first day back to school. Shorter skirt, sharper cut, fitted in all the right places. When I slipped it on, It gave exactly the result I was hoping for.
In the past, I rarely, if ever, wore makeup to school because of our situation back then. But today, I sat in the vanity and applied my makeup with deliberate care…liner sharp, lips glossy, eyes striking.
I was almost done when the door opened behind me.
I turned around, ready to scold whoever had entered without knocking, then stopped when I saw it was Vera.
She stood there, eyes wide, expression startled, eyes sweeping over me in quiet surprise.
“You should have knocked, Vera,” I pouted, genuinely mildly irritated.
She stared at me. Then shook her head like she was trying to shake away her thoughts.
“I'm sorry about that.”
My face softened with a smile. I got up from the vanity, wiggling my brows suggestively. “Well good morning to you too, Mrs Rutherford.”
She still stared, surprised, a bit disapproving.
Her lips parted. “I—wasn’t expecting…this.”
I grinned, doing a spin. “What? Too much for a school morning?”
She hesitated.
“You look… grown,” she replied like it was a concern. Her gaze lingered on my skirt, then lifted again, gentle rather than judgmental. “And isn't the skirt—the uniform a little short?”
I almost rolled my eyes, instead,
“Almost eighteen,” I reminded her sweetly. “And practically done with high school. I'm not a child anymore, Vera.”
She stepped fully into the room, shutting the door. “I know. I just worry,” she began softly. Her gaze flicked to my face. “And the makeup…Lily—”
I rolled my eyes, becoming pissed at this point. I loved my sister, but I didn’t love what she was doing.
“I know,” I cut in tersely. “It's my first day back at school. I just want to feel good about myself. Especially after…everything.”
Her expression softened instantly.
Her eyes flicked briefly, downward, toward where the scar would be beneath the fabric of my uniform then back to my face.
I knew I had won.
“If this helps you feel better,” she said quietly, “then that’s what matters.”
She didn't argue after that. Instead she stepped closer, tucking a stray strand behind my ear.
“You look… very beautiful,” she breathed.
I smiled, pleased. “You think so?”
She nodded immediately. “Of course I do.”
I smiled… genuinely this time.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, catching her hand.
I was well aware she had taken on a lot just so we could be comfortable.
But if I was being truly honest…it was that bad. Her new husband was insanely dashing and loaded.
It can't be that bad.
“I’m alright,” she replied. “Everything's okay.”
I hesitated only a second before speaking again. “Vera, there's a few things that I need.”
She nodded attentively. Indulgently. “Like what?”
I grinned. “For starters, a new phone,” I said. “This one is too old,” I gestured to the device on the bed. “It barely works.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Alright. Silas is sending the payment today. We can get the things you need.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes,” she said softly, patting my hair.
I hugged her quickly. “Thank you very much, Vera. For everything.”
She laughed under her breath. “It’s my job to take care of you.” Her hand drifted unconsciously to her stomach. “And the baby too. I’m thinking of going to the hospital today,” she added. “Just to check on everything.”
I heard her, but I didn't reply to her. Instead, I typed away on my phone, then the device buzzed with a message from Janine.
“I’m late,” I groaned, grabbing my bag. “Vera I have to go.” I paused at the door. “Can I use one of the cars? With a driver?”
She didn't hesitate. “Go ahead,” she said, firmly. “I’ll inform Silas myself.”
I grinned. “You’re the best.”
She gave me a soft smile.
I turned to leave, then stopped, more seriously. “You’ll be okay on your own?”
She nodded, something steady and determined suddenly glinting in her eyes.
“Yes. There’s something important I need to do today.”