The sun barely filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across Lila's room as she awoke. Her mind was restless, troubled by the strange note she had found the previous evening. It wasn't just the words that haunted her—We are watching you, it was the eerie certainty behind them. Someone knew. Someone saw her.
Lila squeezed her eyes shut, willing the thoughts to fade. The last thing she needed was to become paranoid in this world she was trying so hard to navigate. She had to stay focused, figure out her next steps. What did she know for sure? The letter had no signature, no identifying marks. It was just a warning, perhaps an empty one, but it was enough to make her question every move she made.
After a few deep breaths, she stood and began her morning routine, trying to push the letter to the back of her mind. Today was another day, and it would be business as usual—at least that was the plan.
Downstairs, the Argents were gathered around the breakfast table. The atmosphere was light, but there was an undercurrent of tension that Lila couldn't shake.
Aria sat across from her, daintily sipping from her teacup. She looked almost too perfect, as always. Her soft golden curls framed a porcelain face, her smile wide and innocent. But Lila couldn't help but wonder—was it all just an act? Aria was sweet, yes, but Lila knew better than to trust appearances in this world. Her adopted sister's charm was a tool, whether Aria knew it or not. It would be foolish to think there wasn't something more lurking beneath the surface.
Lila's gaze flicked to Callum, seated beside Aria. His presence was comforting yet unsettling in its own way. He had always been her fiancé, but now, in this new reality, the familiar closeness felt strange, almost like it was wrapped in a layer of something unspoken. His eyes lingered on her a little longer than necessary, a frown tugging at his lips, as if he could sense her thoughts swirling.
"Lila, are you feeling all right?" Callum's voice was warm, but there was an edge of concern in it.
Lila turned to him, her smile carefully in place. "I'm fine, just tired," she lied. The letter was still fresh in her mind, and the weight of its warning seemed to settle deeper in her bones the more she tried to ignore it.
"You've been working yourself too hard," Callum continued, his tone softening. "Perhaps you should take the day off. Rest."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her heart catching in her throat. Was he merely concerned for her health, or was there something more to his words? Lila had to remind herself that Callum was her fiancé—he was supposed to care. Still, his gaze seemed to search her, as if there was something he was trying to figure out. Something more than just concern.
"I'm fine, really," she responded, lifting her teacup with the same steady composure she had mastered over the years. If only she could convince herself as easily as she spoke.
The conversation drifted to lighter topics, but Lila couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. It wasn't just the letter anymore. There was a subtle shift in the way everyone acted, as if they, too, were aware of her every movement. Her family—the very ones who were supposed to protect her—felt more like strangers in this life than they ever had before.
After breakfast, Lila sought solace in the garden. The lush greenery, the scent of roses and jasmine, was soothing to her frayed nerves. She wandered the paths, allowing the silence to settle around her. Nature had a way of grounding her, reminding her that there was still some semblance of peace in this world, even if she couldn't find it within herself.
But her quiet walk was soon interrupted.
"Lady Lila," a low voice called from behind.
She froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned, spotting Elyas Marwood standing at the edge of the garden, leaning casually against a stone pillar. His dark eyes caught hers, the faintest of smiles tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Elyas," she greeted him, her voice cool but polite. "What brings you here?"
He straightened, stepping forward with an effortless grace that almost seemed too perfect. "I thought I'd take a walk as well. It's a beautiful day, is it not?"
Lila studied him carefully. His calm demeanor, his calculated elegance—it was all too familiar. She remembered him from the book, a nobleman who seemed to have little impact on the plot. But now, in this life, his presence felt much more significant. Too significant.
"Yes, it is," Lila replied, her words guarded. "But I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for conversation."
Elyas gave a small shrug, unfazed by her coolness. "That's perfectly fine. But I do believe we have much to discuss, don't you?" He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking with hers. "Fate has a funny way of leading us toward certain people, does it not?"
Lila's heart skipped again. Fate. That was a word she couldn't ignore.
"I'm not sure I follow," she said, her voice steady but betraying a hint of curiosity.
Elyas stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Oh, I think you do. We are all bound by it, Lady Lila. The question is, how much control do we truly have?" He paused, allowing the words to sink in. "You must be wondering, just as I do, what exactly brought you here."
Lila blinked, his words hitting too close to the core of her fears. He knew. He knew something. He had to.
"I—I'm not sure what you mean," she stammered, her composure slipping for a brief moment.
Elyas's lips curled into a smile that was both comforting and unsettling. "Of course you do. But that's not the right question, is it? The real question is: what are you going to do about it?"
Before Lila could respond, Elyas turned and walked away with the same effortless grace, leaving her standing in the middle of the garden, her mind racing. His cryptic words echoed in her ears. What are you going to do about it?
The feeling of being trapped, of not knowing who she could trust, intensified. Elyas's visit had given her more questions than answers, and she felt the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. What was he implying? And why did it feel like he knew exactly who she was?
Lila returned to the house, still lost in thought, when she found a new letter waiting for her on her desk.
It was the same heavy parchment, the same elegant script, but this time the words were different—more direct. We are watching you closely. Be careful whom you trust.
Her breath caught in her throat. The message was clear now, more threatening than before.
She stood there, staring at the note, as a chill swept through her. Someone was watching her. Someone knew her every move. And she was starting to realize just how little control she truly had in this new world.
Lila's fingers trembled as she crumpled the note, her resolve hardening. If she was going to survive here, she would have to outsmart whoever was pulling the strings.
She wasn't going to be a pawn in someone else's game. Not anymore.