Kezia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the window. Ethan's recent behavior was deeply unsettling; his unexpected warmth felt more like a trap than any true gesture of kindness. The way he'd looked at her, his touch soft, the lingering glances—it all felt hollow, like he was casting a new spell over her, one meant to weaken her defenses. And then there was Lucas. His intentions were even more ambiguous, and his presence complicated everything.
The knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. Her heartbeat quickened as she opened it to find Lucas standing there, his gaze unreadable.
"Lucas," she whispered, keeping her voice low.
"We need to talk," he replied, his voice calm yet serious. She glanced behind him, checking for signs of Ethan. Though he seemed occupied tonight, she had learned not to trust his absence.
Stepping back, she let Lucas inside, watching as he closed the door behind him. His movements were careful, each step deliberate as though he was fully aware of the tension between them.
Kezia folded her arms, trying to steady her voice. "You have to be careful. If Ethan finds you here…"
Lucas smirked, a hint of defiance glinting in his eyes. "Since when did you worry so much about Ethan's wrath?"
"I don't," she shot back. "But I've seen what happens to people he doesn't care for. And after how he's acted around me lately…" Her voice trailed off as she looked down.
Lucas stepped closer, his gaze softening. "Kezia, you deserve better than to live in fear of my brother. Whatever game he's playing, it's only to control you."
The words, though whispered gently, hit her hard. A deep-rooted frustration bubbled within her, one she had buried under layers of resilience for years. "You say that, but you're just as complicated, Lucas. Why are you here? What do you want from me?"
He paused, searching her face, as if debating how much to reveal. "Perhaps I just want to remind you that you're not as alone as you think. Whatever Ethan thinks he can take from you, he doesn't have complete power. You have more allies in this house than you realize."
Kezia felt her walls begin to crack. Part of her wanted to trust him, to let someone into her struggle. But after years of betrayal, both from Ethan and the people who claimed to care for her, trust felt like a luxury she couldn't afford.
She turned away, wrapping her arms around herself. "I appreciate the sentiment, but you don't understand what it's like to be trapped in this—"
Lucas moved closer, his voice a low murmur. "I know more than you think. Ethan and I may be brothers, but that doesn't mean we see eye-to-eye. I don't agree with the way he treats you, Kezia. You've suffered enough."
"Why now?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "You've seen everything he's put me through. The taunts, the insults… the women. And now, suddenly, you want to help?"
He was silent, his eyes piercing through her defenses. "Because sometimes, we wait too long to make the right choice."
A flicker of vulnerability passed through his expression, one that startled her. She had grown accustomed to Lucas's cool demeanor, his calculated stares. But here, in the dim light, she saw something else—an unguarded moment, as if he, too, was struggling with emotions he couldn't control.
But she couldn't let herself fall into another trap. She took a step back, creating distance. "Whatever it is you're trying to prove, Lucas, I can't be a part of it. I've learned not to trust anyone in this house."
He looked at her, a flicker of pain crossing his face before his usual guarded expression returned. "Fine. But I won't stand by and watch Ethan tear you down any longer. You deserve someone on your side, whether you want it or not."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door, his voice a whisper. "Just remember, Kezia. Not everyone in this family is your enemy."
The door clicked shut, leaving her alone in the silence.
---
The next morning, Ethan's strange behavior continued. Kezia had barely set foot in the dining room when he gestured for her to sit beside him. She hesitated, noticing how the staff exchanged knowing glances. She could already feel the judgment in their eyes, the murmurs they would exchange the moment her back was turned.
"Kezia," Ethan said, his tone smoother than usual, "I've noticed you've been looking a bit tired. I thought perhaps we should take a day together, something to relax."
She blinked, caught off guard. Was this another attempt to control her? His hand rested lightly on hers, and though his touch was gentle, the message was clear: he had her right where he wanted her.
"Thank you," she murmured, barely able to mask her discomfort. "But I have work to do."
"Nonsense." His tone was light, but there was a steel edge to it. "It's already been arranged. You'll take the day off, and we'll spend it together."
As he leaned in, his voice lowered so only she could hear. "I want people to see us together, Kezia. I want them to understand that you're mine."
The possessiveness in his voice chilled her. She had always known that Ethan viewed her as a prize, something to flaunt in front of others. But now, the realization cut deeper, reminding her of just how trapped she was.
Reluctantly, she forced a smile. "Of course," she replied, trying to sound agreeable. But inside, her anger simmered.
They spent the day in the city, strolling through elegant shops and dining at an upscale restaurant. To anyone watching, they looked like a happy couple, sharing laughs and gentle touches. But to Kezia, each moment felt like a performance, her every movement controlled by Ethan's expectations.
At one point, as they passed by a group of acquaintances, Ethan slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. She could see the smirk on his face, the satisfaction in his eyes as he displayed his "devoted" wife to the world.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
He looked down, his smile sharp. "What's there not to enjoy? I have a beautiful wife, and the world envies me. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Kezia forced herself to remain calm, even as his words dug deep. She knew better than to respond, to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break. She had learned to play this role, to wear the mask of obedience that he demanded.
---
That evening, as they returned to the mansion, Kezia felt drained, each step heavier than the last. The day had been nothing but a façade, a reminder of how Ethan saw her as nothing more than a trophy.
She retreated to her room, but the silence brought little comfort. The whispers of doubt lingered in her mind, mixing with the memories of Lucas's words from the night before.
Could she truly trust him? Or was he just another pawn in Ethan's game?
As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, she realized she couldn't bear this any longer. She needed to escape, to find a way out of this twisted web that Ethan had spun around her.
But breaking free wouldn't be easy. Not with the threats hanging over her head.