Chapter 21 Chapter 21

Chapter 21 Chapter 21
Amira's POV

I didn’t get angry. Instead, I asked calmly, “Have you ever seen me spend even a single night at the main building, not even by mistake?”

She shook her head silently, and I went on, “Have you ever seen me act romantic with them? Or seen them come here more than once?”

Again, she shook her head, and I gave a small nod.

“Now you understand why I said they’re not my men.” I smiled faintly, even though my chest ached on the inside.

Clara fell silent, guilt written all over her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

I forced a small smile. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s really not a big deal.”

“I don’t believe that,” she said softly. “Look at you—anyone can tell you’re not okay. Don’t pretend with me. Since I’m the one who caused this, you can cry on me. I won’t mind.”

I didn’t refuse her. Instead, I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her chest. I didn’t cry like she probably expected—I just needed someone warm to lean on. Thankfully, she was there for me.

We stayed like that for a while, and before I knew it, sleep started to take over.

Clara helped me back to my room. I vaguely remembered her guiding me to bed, but before I could thank her, sleep had already won.

The next day, after finishing my chores and finding nothing else to do, I went out for a stroll. I wanted Clara to come along, but she was busy cleaning one of the stores, so I went alone.

As I walked, my thoughts drifted to that dog from the other night. Did it miss me? Ever since that night, I’d been going out every midnight pretending I needed fresh air—but deep down, I was hoping to see it again.

The walk turned out uneventful, so I returned home after a while.

Just as I reached the door, a familiar scent hit my nose—Lily’s perfume.

I sighed.

Of course, she was here again. Probably to give me their daily schedule, just like yesterday.

I almost turned back to avoid her, but what if she refused to leave?

Before I could decide, her voice floated from inside. “Please come in, Amira.”

“Yes, I’m coming,” I said, biting my lip and forcing a sweet tone.

Inside, though, I was grumbling silently. Who even wants to see you anyway?

I walked in with a polite smile. “What’s their schedule today?”

I didn’t bother throwing a tantrum like before. Lily was loyal to the triplets—there was no way she’d ever take my side over theirs—so why bother?

She smiled politely, ignoring my fake smile. “They’re attending a business party this evening. They asked me to find out if you’d like to join them.”

I looked at her, and though her tone was polite, it felt more like teasing. She knew very well I didn’t care about their schedule, so why would I want to go anywhere with them?

I quickly waved my hand like I was shooing away a fly. “No, I’m not going.”

My voice came out sharper than I intended, almost like I was ready to fight whoever tried to convince me otherwise.

I smacked my lips lightly after realizing it. Amira, you’re really losing it.

A tiny smirk formed on Lily’s lips at my reaction, which only made me more embarrassed.

“Okay,” she teased. “I’ll tell them exactly how you refused.”

My cheeks burned red as I shook my head. “No, don’t—” I stopped and sighed. “Whatever. Do whatever you want.”

Then I hurried to my room. If I perish, I perish.

Her laugh echoed behind me, and I instantly knew it was Lily.

“Ugh, screw you!” I yelled in frustration, my face burning hotter. Thankfully, no one saw me before I locked myself inside.

That became the routine for the next few days—until Sunday morning, when Lily appeared again.

I greeted her less cheerfully this time. “Good morning,” I said, crossing my arms tightly.

I’d been in a sour mood since dawn. Tomorrow was the moving day—their moving day—and apparently mine too.

“Good morning,” Lily replied with her usual grin, settling on the couch. “How’s the preparation going?”

I pretended not to understand. “Preparation for what?”

Honestly, I was hoping she’d say the triplets had just been joking. But with how often she’d been showing up to update me, I knew that wasn’t the case.

“You know what I mean,” she said. “Your preparation for the new house.”

I took a deep breath. There was no point pretending anymore.

“Well, can you at least tell me what the new house looks like?” I asked curiously.

I wondered if it might be similar to this one, though I doubted it. Clara once told me that all the buildings within this gate were built decades ago, so they had an old-fashioned look compared to newer ones.

But Lily crushed that small hope.

“I don’t know,” she said bluntly. “You should ask them.”

I pouted in disappointment. “Why are you always like this?”

I meant it. She acted friendly most times, but the moment I asked something that wasn’t about the triplets, she’d shut me down right away.

“How am I like what?” she asked innocently.

I hissed softly and looked away. “Forget it. Just go already. I don’t know why you act like some old woman.”

She looked like she was in her early or mid-thirties, yet somehow, she carried herself like she was twice that age.

“I don’t act that serious,” she denied.

I sneered at her. “Of course, you wouldn’t know. It’s those of us who interact with you that can tell.”

I didn’t wait to hear anything more from Lily. Instead, I stood up and gently pushed her toward the counter. I knew if I didn’t do that, she would keep arguing against my accusation, and no matter how much she denied it, it wouldn’t change the real fact.

After Lily left, I went to my room and lay on the bed with my head facing the wall. I guessed there was nothing I could do to change where I’d be living next.

I tried to think of the brighter side of things. By afternoon, Clara and the other maids started working.

They didn’t touch the furniture; they just went to my room and arranged some necessary things into the luggage.

I sat outside with Clara.

“Eii, I’m surprised you’re going too. Guess the rumors weren’t true. I’m happy for you, even though I know you don’t feel happy,” she said.

And she was right. I wasn’t happy at all. In fact, I felt more nervous than sad. I was scared that I might make a mistake, and that could be the beginning of my troubles.

I tried not to think too much about it, but I couldn’t stop my mind from worrying.