Chapter 120 — Quiet Truths
I returned to my room after dropping Edward’s breakfast in his room, my steps slower than usual, as though my body knew something my mind was still trying to understand.
The corridor felt longer than it ever had.
The mansion was quiet, but not the peaceful kind of quiet. It was the kind that pressed against your chest, the kind that made every thought louder. Staff
moved about softly in the distance, doors opened and closed, footsteps echoed faintly–but none of it reached me.
When I finally closed my door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a long, shaky breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.
My heart felt unsettled.
Jasper’s voice lingered in my head, smooth and calm, weaving itself into places I hadn’t invited it.
What if… What if he’s right… What if I’m not seeing everything clearly…
I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. No.
They were lies. Or worse–half truth shaped carefully into something poisonous. Jasper had spoken gently, convincingly, like someone who cared. But something about it had felt off. Like he wasn’t truly happy about Edward and I being together.
Like he was trying to plant doubt. It was too obvious.
Still, doubt has a way of sneaking in when your heart is already tired.
I crossed the room and sat on the edge of my bed, staring down at my hands. Edward had been kind, patient and honest. He had chosen me without hesitation. He had announced us to everyone–without shame, without fear.
He had made me visible.
So why did my chest still feel tight?
I stood and walked to the window, pushing the curtain aside slightly. Sunlight spilled across the courtyard below, bright and warm, completely unaware of the storm inside me. Life continued as if nothing had changed.
Before I could sink any deeper into my thoughts, my phone rang.
The sound startled me. I picked it up and looked at the screen. Seraphina.
A small, genuine smile touched my lips. Just seeing her name steadied me a little.
“Hello, Phina,” I said softly.
“Elara,” she said immediately, her voice tight with emotion. “How have you been?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, even though the words felt fragile. “Really. I’m okay.”
She didn’t believe me. I could hear it.
“Are you sure?” she asked. Has anything been done about the attack?
My fingers curled slightly around the phone.
“It's safe now,” I said. “Edward is handling everything.”
There was a pause on the other end. A long one. Then she broke the silence.
“Elara…” she began slowly. “You know I care about you, right?”
“Of course I know,” I said gently. Is something wrong–Phina? I felt she was holding something back.
"Nothing," she said. I just thought the Alpha's mansion was the safest place in this city, but after that attack I'm just concerned about your safety.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, heavy but familiar.
I didn’t want the call to end like this. I didn’t want it to be full of fear and unsaid things.
So I thought I should change the conversation to put us both in a better mood.
“Phina,” I said suddenly, forcing a brightness into my voice, “I have something to tell you.”
Her tone changed instantly. “What is it?” Seraphina asked.
I smiled, warmth spreading through me despite everything. “Edward and I… we’re together.”
There was a sharp intake of breath.
“What?” she exclaimed.
“He made it official,” I said, my voice softening. “He announced it. To everyone.”
“Oh my goddess,” she breathed. “Elara, are you serious? I suspected something was going on between you and Edward, but I didn’t know it was this serious.”
“I still can’t believe it myself,” I admitted, letting out a small laugh. “Everything happened so fast.”
“And you?” she asked. “How do you feel?”
I didn’t hesitate. “I fell for him. I never thought I would. Not him. Not like this.”
She was quiet for a moment. Then she smiled through the phone. I could hear it.
“I’m happy for you,” she said. “Truly.”
“And,” I added, my heart pounding a little, “I’m no longer a maid here.”
"Of course,” she said. You're dating the fucking Alpha.
I laughed, real laughter this time. “That was my reaction too.”
“Elara,” she said in disbelief, “you went from maid to Alpha Edward's girlfriend”
“When you say it like that,” I teased, “it sounds unreal.”
She laughed too, then sighed softly. “I’m proud and happy for you, girl.”
I could hear it–genuine happiness.
“You’ll visit soon, right?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “I promise.”
After the call ended, I lay back on my bed and stared at the ceiling, my phone resting on my chest.
I didn’t know it then, but miles away, Seraphina sat with her phone still in her hand, her smile slowly fading.
Edward had announced me to the world. But Damien had asked her to stay hidden.
And quietly, painfully, questions neither of us were ready to face began to take root.