Chapter 32
The huge wave caused everybody watching to gasp. Halven, on the other hand, looked proud of his gift. He turned to me, a smirk on his face.
“That was my gift to you. And this,” he pulled out a single rose. “Is my gift in place of Haelor’s.”
Haelor who had been standing off to the side was glaring at my brother. Halven had a smug look on his face as he looked at him.
I let out a breath. “I’ve already gotten a gift from him.“[]”
Halven looked shocked. “You have?”
“Yes.” I nodded my head. “This necklace.”
Halven stared at it for a while before letting out a scoff. “This gift isn’t even worthy of my sister. I think whoever gave you this can do better.”[]
I was about to speak again when I felt someone’s gaze on me. I turned to see it was a young girl. She was sending me a dirty look from across the room.[]
What the hell was her deal? I didn’t have to wonder for long as Aunt Niamh appeared. She brought the girl towards us, her usual plastic smile fixed on her face.]
“I’d like to introduce my daughter to you.” She smiled. “This is Cyrene, my daughter and your cousin.“]
I stared at her for a moment before smiling. Trying to seem welcoming, I stretched a hand out to her.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Adella.” I greeted.]
She simply stared at me, her eyes speaking all she couldn’t say. The malice in them was evident. She didn’t like me and she wanted me to know.
Aunt Niamh began to speak to my brothers, taking their attention away from me. Cyrene leaned closer so only I could hear her.
“I watched that live stream.“[]
I froze. She noticed my reaction but she didn’t stop there. “You can try to put on this little princess act but it doesn’t change anything. You will never be able to hide your dirty past.‘
My breathing came out slowly. Without thinking, I grabbed the glass of wine in her hand and splashed it on her face.
The whole room went silent. Cyrene looked shocked for a moment before she started to cry.
She turned to my brothers. “Did you see that? She just assaulted me.“[]
I glared at me, my gaze cold and unwavering. If she thought I was going to let her get away with that, she was dead wrong.[
“You’ll watch your tongue when you’re speaking to the princess of the Luciano family.“]
Chapter 32
It was like time had come to a complete pause. I could feel it. All eyes were fixed on us. They were all staring, probably wondering what had happened; why I’d spilled all that wine on Cyrene.[]
None of it fazed me. I was too enraged to be bothered by any of it. My glare remained on her as she continued to cry to my brothers.
Merhold was watching everything unfold with an unreadable expression on his face. Cyrene turned to him, occasionally glancing at her now ruined dress while she continued to cry.
Aunt Niamh stomped all the way to me, an enraged look on her face. “I did not expect this from you, Adella. I never knew this was your true character. So you’ve been putting on a mask this whole time.“]
My eyes narrowed on her. “What are you trying to say?“]
“I just went to say hello to your brother, Merhold.” Niamh wiped away non–existent tears from the corner of her eyes. “Why did you have to humiliate my daughter like this? What did she do to you? This was nothing but cruel, Adella.“[]
“She deserved everything she got.” I glared at Cyrene who was still making herself look pitiful.]
“You are a cruel woman.” Aunt Niamh pointed a finger at me, her tone filled with bitterness.]
It was then I realized all eyes were still on us. Panic filled my chest before I realized it and I turned to look at the crowd.]
They were all staring at me, watching my every move. They probably saw when I’d splashed her with the drink. I didn’t need to look at their faces to even know what they must be thinking.
They must think I was the one at fault. I was the bad one. I was the villain. I was the one behind all this. I was the cruel monster Aunt Niamh had accused me of being.
My chest was rising faster with each passing second that Niamh laid her accusations. Cyrene was still feigning her innocent expression so no doubt, the crowd would believe I was the one at fault. []
Suddenly, I was alone at the centre of the room. The crowd was mostly faceless, the only thing I could make out being their obvious sneers and smirks.]
