Chapter 15: Standing Strong Together
The next few days passed like a fragile truce between Emilia and Dorian, a tense calm before the storm. Lyla's presence lingered in the background, an unspoken threat that neither of them could entirely ignore. But Dorian had made a promise. And Emilia, despite the lingering doubts, was willing to believe in him—for now.
The tension was palpable between them, but there was also something deeper, something unsaid. They both knew that they couldn't let Lyla tear them apart. As much as she tried to undermine Emilia's place in Dorian's life, they had one thing Lyla didn't have: their connection. This was a bond that there was no denying.
SPECIAL OFFER. She had tried burying her fears, trying to hold onto the hope that Dorian had, indeed, considered Lyla a thing of the past; but it was getting increasingly difficult not to notice how Lyla's visits seemed to happen more often. Every time Emilia thought she had a bit of peace with Dorian, Lyla would shadow in, casting doubt in places where certainty had at one time been.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening shadows stretched long across the estate, Emilia decided she couldn't stay silent any longer. She needed answers, not just from Dorian but from herself.
It was time to face Lyla head-on.
"I'm going to talk to her," Emilia declared, her voice steady despite the fluttering of nerves in her chest.
Dorian looked up from his papers, his brows furrowing in concern. "Talk to who?"
"Lyla," she said, quiet defiance lacing her tone. "She's making this more difficult than it has to be. I can't just sit here and let her try to manipulate you. It ends tonight."
Dorian's expression darkened immediately. "Emilia, you don't have to do this. I've already told you, I'll take care of it.
"I don't think you understand," Emilia said, her voice rising just a little. "I'm not doing this because I don't trust you. I'm doing this because I trust us. But I cannot stand and let her pull you into something you've already walked away from."
Dorian's lips parted as if to argue, but Emilia held up her hand, silencing him. "I've let you protect me, but I can't let her keep doing this. I need to stand up for myself."
There was a long, heavy silence as Dorian's gaze held hers. Finally, he nodded, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "If you're set on this, then I won't stop you. But promise me this, Emilia: you'll be careful. She's dangerous in ways you don't yet understand."
Emilia swallowed the lump in her throat, her resolve hardening. "I'll be fine. I just need you to trust me too.
Dorian stood and walked over to her, his large hands gripping her shoulders. His touch was gentle, but the heat of his concern was impossible to ignore. "I trust you more than you know." He leaned in, brushing his lips over her forehead. "But I also know how she works. You can't go into this alone."
Emilia hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I won't be alone. You'll be there."
Dorian didn't reply, but his eyes softened, a silent promise in their depths. The words weren't necessary. They both knew that facing Lyla wasn't just about confronting the woman—it was about confronting the past they both had to leave behind if they were going to have a future.
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Later that night, they made their way to the grand parlor, where Lyla was waiting. Emilia's pulse quickened as the woman turned to face them, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, as if she could feel the growing tension. There was a chilling calm to her demeanor, one which rattled Emilia more than she cared to admit.
Lyla didn't waste any time. "So, you've decided to join the party, Emilia?" she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "How… brave of you."
Emilia stood tall, refusing to let Lyla see the hesitation that flickered in her heart. "I've had enough of your games, Lyla," she said, her voice unwavering. "You think you can control Dorian's life, but you're wrong. He's moved on.
Lyla's smile was a sharp, dangerous thing. "Oh, sweet girl, you're so naive. You don't really understand, do you? You think you've got him wrapped around your little finger. But Dorian isn't a man who can just forget about me." She turned her gaze to Dorian, her eyes softening as if they shared a secret. He may put on a show for you now, but deep inside, he knows what I have always been for him. We have shared something. special."
Dorian's eyes flashed darker, and for one tense moment, he looked like he was going to snap. Then he reached out and set a firm hand on Emilia's shoulder, holding her fast in the present.
Lyla," he said, his voice low and deadly calm. "We've been through this. There's nothing left between us. I don't want you in my life anymore."
Lyla's eyes flashed with something darker than irritation-there was anger there, mixed with something more dangerous. "You think you can just throw me away? You really believe this little charade will work?
Emilia felt the flush rise in her cheeks, yet she didn't budge an inch. "I don't care what you think, Lyla. I'm not going anywhere. Dorian and I are in this together. And you're not going to tear us apart.
For one fleeting second, there was complete silence. The words hung precariously between them as a thin string. Lyla's gaze wavered from Dorian and Emilia as she, in one gentle, fluid movement, pushed back, clasping her hands together in front.
"You'll regret this, Emilia," she said, an evil sweetness etched onto her voice. "But you have nothing to worry over. I get what I want. Always."
Emilia didn't flinch. "Not this time."
Lyla's smile faltered for a moment, but then it returned—cold and calculating. "We'll see, won't we?"
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving behind an echo of her chilling presence. Emilia exhaled, her body shaking with the adrenaline of the confrontation. She hadn't backed down. She hadn't let Lyla win.
Dorian turned to Emilia, his hand sliding gently down her arm, offering a comforting touch. "You were incredible," he murmured, his voice filled with admiration.
Emilia looked up at him, her heart racing but her resolve stronger than ever. "We're in this together, Dorian. No matter what she does."
And for the first time, she felt like she truly believed it.