Chapter 13
It took quite a while for the drug to loosen its grip on Matthew’s senses. When he finally opened his eyes, he blinked a few times to adjust to the dim light. The first thing he saw was Rhea, her cheeks pink and her eyes darting shyly toward him.
Matthew didn’t need long to piece it together. One glance at the cluttered storage room and the state of their clothes told him everything. For a moment, his expression faltered shock, maybe even regret – but he quickly masked it. This wasn’t the first time he’d found himself in a sticky situation. Straightening his pants, he tried to gather his thoughts.
Rhea broke the silence, her voice trembling with an overplayed innocence. “Matthew, how could you do this to me? I’ve never been with anyone before… What am I supposed to do now?
Matthew winced inwardly, realizing the weight of his actions. What had he done? His mind replayed flashes of the night- too much alcohol, and Rhea being, well, Rhea. Soft–spoken. Passive. Someone who didn’t push back.
But Matthew’s thoughts quickly shifted to Mabel. The truth was if Mabel had been the one here with him instead of her younger sister, there wouldn’t be this knot of regret in his stomach. They would already be something more, something real, or, at least Matthew believed so.
He sighed and threw a jacket over Rhea’s shoulders. “Rhea, put your clothes on,” he said gently. His voice softened, guilt tinging his words. “This… this was a mistake. We were drunk. That’s all it was. Mabel doesn’t have to know about this, okay
Rhea’s face crumpled, and real tears spilled down her cheeks this time. “Matthew, I know you’re in love with Mabel, she cried, her voice breaking. “But… but I like you too! I’ve liked you since the moment I first saw you. And that was my first time. How can you just brush it off like it’s nothing?”
Matthew’s chest tightened. He didn’t need this right now. If Rhen caused a scene, it could destroy everything his chance with Mabel, his reputation, all of it.
He leaned in and kissed Rhea’s forehead lightly, trying to calm her. “Don’t cry. I know I messed up, and I’ll make it up to y I promise. Just don’t tell anyone, alright?”
Rhea sniffled but nodded, though her tears didn’t stop. She knew better than to push him too far. If she made herself a problem, she’d lose him entirely.
“I know I’ll never be as good as HER,” she murmured, her voice soft and wounded. “And I’d never want to ruin things between you Two. I just… I just want to be there for you when you need me. Let’s keep this whole thing between us two.”
Her words struck a chord. Rhea might not have Mabel’s beauty, but her vulnerability was magnetic in its own way. A man could easily find himself drawn to someone so gentle, so understanding.
“Rhea, you’re something special, Matthew muttered, brushing her hair back before leaning in to kiss her again
Behind him, Rhea’s lips curled into a quiet smirk. She had him now. After this, he wouldn’t escape her hold.
VOLL
Rhea’s torn dress left her stranded in the storage room while Mathew promised to fetch her something new to wear. She waited, a faint smile tugging at her lips as the pieces of her plan fell into place.
Matthew, on the other hand, stepped into the hallway and stopped dead in his tracks. Standing there, right outside the door. was Mabel Her face was unreadable, as calm and composed as ever, but her sharp, piercing gaze pinned him in place. Matthew felt the blood drain from his face.
“M–Mabel he stammered, the words catching in his throat. “Why are you here?”
Mabel looked at Matthew with a puzzled expression. “What are you talking about? This is my home. I can be anywhere!
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Her words were casual, but her sharp gaze lingered on his flustered face, drawing out his discomfort. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought. Mabel tilted her head and let a knowing smile play at her lips. “But you… what are YOU doing in my storage
room?
Matthew’s face burned. He fumbled, words spilling out in a frantic attempt to sound composed. “N–nothing! Rhea asked me to come up and grab something for her…”
Mabel’s eyes darted to his empty hands, her expression dripping with mock curiosity, “Oh? And where is it?”
She was enjoying this far too much.
Matthew’s mind raced, grasping for an excuse. “I–1 already brought it downstairs, he blurted out. Then she asked me to, uh, put it back up here again.”
Mabel’s expression didn’t shift. She simply stared at him, her eyes cool and unyielding, as if dissecting his every word.
Inside the storage room, Rhea’s heart pounded against her ribs, while Matthew felt the air around him grow thinner by the
second.
After an agonizing pause, Mabel spoke slowly, her voice tinged with suspicion. I don’t believe you. I’ll just take a look
myself.”
She stepped forward, but Matthew moved quickly to block her path. His palms felt clammy as he raised them slightly, trying to stop her without being too obvious. “No, really! There’s nothing inside!” Matthew’s voice was tinged with desperation. “Mabel you know how I feel about you. Do you really think I’d lie to you?”
A cold smile tugged at Mabel’s lips. Lie to her? In her past life, he had done just that again and again? His sweet words had lured her into a web of deceit she couldn’t see until it was far too late. But now, she could see right through him.
Matthew, sweating bullets, grasped at the first distraction he could think of “Oh! I almost forgot – I brought you some gifts. Why don’t we go downstairs? I think you’ll like them.”
Mabel considered her options. The timing wasn’t ideal for exposing him and Rhea. The house was too quiet – no witnesses to maximize the fallout. No, it wasn’t the right moment. She nodded with an indifferent shrug “Fine.”
Matthew nearly sagged with relief, quickly steering her away from the storage room and down the stairs. In the living room, Matthew arranged the gifts he’d brought as if they were treasures on display. “I put a lot of thought into these,” he said, his tone bordering on theatrical “I hope you’ll like at least one of them.”
Mabel walked past the large couch – knowing full well what had happened there earlier and chose a chaise lounge instead. Mabel sat gracefully, her face a perfect mask of detachment. Hericy expression made Matthew’s words falter as he continued rambling about his efforts and intentions.
She let him talk, her thoughts drifting. In her past life, Mathew had never been this attentive, this eager.
“Mabel,” Matthew said, his voice softening, “I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt you, and I regret it. I swear I’ll keep my distance from anyone else. No more lies, no more meeting worgen behind your back, Please, just think about the engagement twice. I can’t lose you.”
His plea might have sounded sincere if Mabel hadn’t seen him tingled with Rhea just moments ago.
Mabel’s lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile, but she didn’t touch the gifts or offer any response. Seeing her lack of interest, Matthew’s panic grew. He leaned forward, his tone turning earnest. These gifts they’re just a small token. An early birthday present, maybe. Our families have been so close for so long. Surely, you wouldn’t embarrass me by refusing them?”
From the corner of her eye, Malel caught movement at the top of the stairs. Rhea had finally come down, dressed in fresh. clothes, her expression stommy as she stared at the table stacked with expensive gifts.
For Khea, each carefully wrapped present was like a dagger. Matthew said he’d made it up for her, yet these gifts weren’t
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Chapter 13
meant for her they were all for Mabel.
Rhea scoffed inwardly. After everything he said, after everything we just shared… am I just a distraction?”
Her nails dug into her palms, the sting of betrayal fueling the fire rising in h
