Chapter 44 Chapter 45

Chapter 44 Chapter 45

VANESSA

The room was dark when I woke again.

For a few seconds, I didn’t remember where I was.

Then the soreness returned.

The cold.

The smell of antiseptic.

The heaviness in my chest.

And everything came rushing back.

I was in the medical wing.

Alone.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

I quickly wiped it away.

No.

I had cried enough.

I couldn’t afford to break.

Not now.

I turned my head toward the window. Dawn was beginning to lighten the sky. Pale orange streaks painted the horizon.

A new day.

I had never hated a sunrise more.

The door suddenly opened.

I stiffened.

Alaric walked in.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

He looked exhausted.

His hair was disheveled, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.

I had never seen him look so tired.

But I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Not after everything.

His eyes landed on me.

“You should be resting.”

I almost laughed.

That line again.

I looked away.

“I am resting.”

Silence.

I could feel him watching me.

Studying me.

As if he was trying to figure me out.

Finally, he spoke again.

“The doctor said you’re awake.”

I nodded once.

Silence again.

It felt suffocating.

Eventually, he stepped closer.

“How do you feel?”

I stared at the window.

“Tired.”

That wasn’t entirely true.

I felt empty.

Numb.

Like someone had wrung every emotion out of me.

But I didn’t want him to know that.

I didn’t want him to know anything anymore.

“Vanessa.”

I didn’t look at him.

Another pause.

Then, unexpectedly—

“I brought you something.”

I blinked.

I slowly turned my head.

He was holding a small paper bag.

I frowned.

“What is that?”

His expression remained unreadable.

“The nurse said you haven’t eaten.”

I stared at him.

Then at the bag.

Then back at him.

“You brought me food?”

He looked almost uncomfortable.

“I was told people need food to recover.”

Despite myself, a tiny, incredulous laugh escaped me.

His eyebrows rose.

“What?”

I shook my head.

“Nothing.”

The smallest crease appeared between his brows.

“You’re laughing at me.”

“No.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

“You definitely are.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, the corner of my mouth twitched.

It disappeared just as quickly.

Because I remembered where I was.

And why.

The silence returned.

I looked away.

“You don’t have to stay.”

I heard him set the paper bag on the table.

“I know.”

“But you’re still here.”

A long pause.

When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter.

“Yes.”

I frowned.

Why?

I wanted to ask.

But I didn’t.

Because I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

Another silence stretched between us.

Then—

“Emma is recovering.”

My entire body went still.

I swallowed.

“Good.”

The word tasted bitter.

I wasn’t angry that she was alright.

I was angry at everything else.

At the lies.

At the accusations.

At the way my life seemed to exist only to save hers.

I looked at my hands.

“I hope she’s okay.”

The words surprised even me.

Alaric said nothing.

Then quietly:

“You mean that.”

I looked up.

“What?”

“You genuinely hope she’s alright.”

I frowned.

“Of course I do.”

He stared at me for a long moment.

As if my answer had somehow confused him.

Finally, he looked away.

“You are strange.”

I blinked.

“What?”

He met my eyes again.

“Most people would hate her after everything that’s happened.”

I looked down.

Maybe I should.

Maybe I should hate Emma.

But mostly…

I was tired.

Too tired to hate anyone.

“I don’t want anyone to suffer,” I whispered.

Silence.

Then:

“Even after they hurt you?”

I didn’t answer.

Because I didn’t know.

The door suddenly burst open.

A maid hurried inside.

Her face was pale.

“My Lord.”

Alaric’s expression sharpened instantly.

“What is it?”

The maid swallowed.

“Madam Emma is asking for you.”

He frowned.

“She’s awake?”

“Yes.”

The maid looked nervous.

“She… she seems upset.”

A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

I already knew what was coming.

Alaric glanced at me.

Then back at the maid.

“I’ll come.”

The maid nodded and hurried away.

Silence.

I looked toward the window again.

There.

This was familiar.

This was normal.

Emma called.

Alaric went.

I had no idea why that realization hurt.

He didn’t move immediately.

I looked up.

He was still standing there.

As if he wanted to say something.

“Go,” I said softly.

He frowned.

“You don’t have to stay because you feel guilty.”

His expression changed.

“I don’t—”

“It’s okay.”

I offered him a small smile.

One that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

“I understand.”

Silence.

Then he did something unexpected.

He looked… troubled.

Almost frustrated.

As if I had said the wrong thing.

Finally, he nodded once.

And left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

I stared at it.

Then slowly looked away.

A few minutes later, another knock came.

This time, I expected a nurse.

Instead—

The grandmother entered.

My stomach dropped.

She was elegantly dressed as always.

Impeccable.

Intimidating.

Her eyes settled on me.

Cold.

Assessing.

“You look terrible.”

I blinked.

Well.

At least she was honest.

I lowered my gaze respectfully.

“I’m sorry.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“Sorry?”

I nodded.

“For causing trouble.”

A long silence followed.

Then she walked farther into the room.

“You still think this family owes you kindness.”

I frowned.

“I don’t.”

“No?”

She looked almost amused.

“Then why do you keep expecting it?”

I had no answer.

Because maybe…

a small part of me had expected it.

Expected someone to believe me.

Expected someone to defend me.

The grandmother sighed.

“You are naïve.”

I looked down at my hands.

“Perhaps.”

She studied me for a long moment.

Then, unexpectedly:

“You remind me of someone.”

I blinked.

Her expression became distant.

“Myself.”

I nearly choked.

What?

She noticed my shock.

One corner of her mouth twitched.

“Don’t look so horrified.”

I probably failed to hide it.

Because she almost smiled.

Almost.

Then it vanished.

“When I was young, I thought kindness was enough.”

Her eyes hardened.

“It isn’t.”

The room fell silent.

She looked at me.

Really looked at me.

And for the first time…

I didn’t see hatred.

I saw something else.

Weariness.

Regret.

“You need to learn quickly, child.”

I stared.

Child?

She had never called me that before.

Because in this house…

kindness can become a weakness.”

She turned toward the door.

Then stopped.

Without looking back, she said:

“Not everyone is your enemy.”

And walked out.

I sat frozen on the bed.

Completely stunned.

What had just happened?

Because somehow…

I had the strange feeling that the war inside this mansion was changing.