Chapter Thirteen:
Liza stormed up to her room, the lingering tension from her clash with Briuy still pulsing through her veins. She kicked off her shoes and made her way to the bathroom, her movements sharp and agitated. The hot water cascading over her skin did little to wash away the frustration brewing inside her. Closing her eyes, she let the warmth soothe her, her mind wandering back to Theo's smirk, his calm, unruffled demeanor, and his obvious amusement at her actions. She clenched her fists, feeling her anger reignite at the thought.
Finally, feeling somewhat steadier, she stepped out, dried herself off, and slipped into a comfortable set of pajamas. She climbed into bed, willing herself to push all thoughts of Theo, Briuy, and the whole unsettling experience out of her mind. Despite her efforts, sleep didn't come easily, her mind replaying the events of the day. When she finally drifted off, her dreams were filled with jumbled memories of her past life and the strange new reality she found herself trapped in.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through her window, casting a warm glow over the room. Liza blinked her self up before the memories of the previous day settled back in. Determined not to dwell on her frustration, she got up, picked out a simple yet elegant dress from the array Theo had provided, and went downstairs, feeling slightly more grounded.
As she descended the grand staircase, she couldn't help but let her eyes wander around the room, searching—though she wouldn't admit it even to herself—for any sign of Theo. But the living room and hallways were unusually quiet, and she was greeted only by the distant hum of activity from the kitchen and nearby rooms. She approached one of the maids, who was dusting an ornate vase near the entrance.
"Where's Theo?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
The maid looked up, hesitating a moment before answering. "Mr. Theo left early this morning, Miss. He had some business to attend to."
Liza felt a strange pang of disappointment mix with relief. She didn't want to face him, not after everything that had happened the day before—but his absence also left her feeling unsettled, like a part of the mansion's strange energy had vanished with him.
She nodded curtly at the maid and wandered back toward the dining area, where a breakfast spread had already been set up. The table was filled with fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, and tea—luxuries she still hadn't quite grown accustomed to. She picked at her food absent mindedly, her thoughts returning to the day before, the tension between her and Theo, and Briuy's intrusion.
As she finished her meal, she found herself glancing toward the door again, half-expecting him to walk through it with that intense gaze of his. She pushed the thought aside, frustrated with herself for even caring. Theo was out of her life for the moment, and she resolved to make the most of his absence.
But as she wandered through the mansion, her mind kept drifting back to the questions she had yet to find answers to: Who was Briuy to Theo? Why had she reacted so violently to Liza's presence? And why, despite everything, did Theo insist on keeping her here?