As night began to fall, Lily stood by the window of her new room, her mind reeling with emotions. The surreal realization that she was presumed dead still lingered, heavy and suffocating. Her father's announcement echoed in her mind—his voice cold, his words a final death sentence to the identity she had once known.
Before she could dwell on it further, the soft sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. She turned her head, expecting Conrad to appear, but instead, the door to her room swung open with a soft creak.
A figure stepped into the doorway, casting a long shadow into the room. It was Aunt Delilah - the movie star - and Lily could already tell this was no ordinary woman. Delilah stood in the doorway, her long auburn hair cascading down her back in soft waves, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a shiver down Lily's spine. She was wearing a deep red gown, the fabric flowing around her like a river of flames, and her presence was so commanding that it seemed to fill the entire room.
But despite the power that radiated from her, there was an undeniable sweetness to her demeanor - a sharp contrast that made her seem both dangerous and fascinating. "Oh, Lily, darling!" Aunt Delilah's voice was like silk, rich and full of warmth, but there was something else there - a theatrical flair that made every word sound like it was part of a grand performance. She fluttered her hand dramatically, as though making an entrance onto a stage. "It seems I've been kept waiting, and we can't have that, can we?"
Before Lily could respond, the butler, Conrad, stepped forward quickly, blocking Delilah's way with a stiff and formal expression. His posture was rigid, his face a mask of professionalism - but there was something about his movement that made it clear he wasn't happy with this interruption. "Madam, you cannot enter just yet. Miss Ashton is not prepared." His voice was as cold and indifferent as ever.
Aunt Delilah raised an eyebrow at him, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Oh, Conrad, darling." She sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as though deeply wounded. "Are you really going to deny me the pleasure of meeting our dear Lily?" Conrad's jaw tightened, but he remained silent. It was clear he had no intention of letting her pass without some form of decorum.
He was trying to maintain control over the situation, but Delilah had no intention of letting him succeed. "Oh, Conrad, you're such a serious man!" Delilah tsked, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "But I simply must see her now! You see, I've heard so much about Lily, and I simply cannot wait another moment." She took a dramatic step toward him, her heels clicking on the floor as if she were walking across a stage. Her eyes never left Conrad's, and despite his best efforts to stand firm, he seemed to falter under her gaze. "Let me in, Conrad." Delilah's voice had a hint of sweetness, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath it. "If you refuse me, I'll have to make a scene, and we wouldn't want that, would we? My poor heart would simply shatter."
Conrad's stern expression faltered for a brief second, and Lily could sense the tension in the room building. She had no idea what Aunt Delilah was playing at, but it seemed as though the older woman could bend reality itself with just a look. With a resigned sigh, Conrad stepped back, his mouth tight with displeasure, and finally gestured for Delilah to enter. "You may enter, madam."
As soon as the door was open wide enough, Aunt Delilah glided into the room with an almost otherworldly grace. She wasn't just walking - she was floating, as if the ground beneath her couldn't contain the full force of her presence. "Ah, Lily, darling!" Delilah exclaimed, her voice suddenly soft and warm, and yet still infused with that dramatic air. "You look positively radiant, even in such a gloomy room. Are you feeling well, my dear?"
Lily didn't know what to make of the situation. The butler's coldness and Aunt Delilah's overwhelming warmth seemed to be in direct contrast, leaving her unsure of how to react. But Aunt Delilah was already moving toward her, her gaze intense and affectionate, though slightly predatory. "You must be tired of being cooped up in here. Come, come! Dinner awaits, and I simply won't stand for you being left alone in this dreary room any longer."
The sound of laughter and conversation filled the room, mingling with the clinking of silverware against plates. Lily felt a sense of unease, but Delilah's presence seemed to anchor her, reminding her that she wasn't alone.
As they made their way downstairs, the grand corridors seemed to stretch on forever. The dining room was just as Lily had imagined it—long mahogany tables, polished silverware, and crystal glasses that caught the light from the chandelier above.
The Hawkes siblings turned their heads toward her, their gazes filled with curiosity and interest. Xander, the eldest, spoke up, his voice deep and composed.
"So you're the one everyone thought was dead."
His words were blunt, but there was no malice behind them—just a tone of disbelief. Cassandra, the second eldest, smiled warmly at Lily.
"I'm so glad you're here, Lily. It's been nice getting to know you already. I hope this dinner helps you feel a little more at ease."
The others, however, weren't so warm. Selene, the third eldest, observed Lily with a calculating gaze.
"So, you're the one they've been calling 'dead' all this time."
Her voice was smooth, almost too smooth, and her smile widened, like she was savoring the irony. "You're not what I expected."
Emilia and Aidan, the mischievous twins, exchanged a glance before turning their attention to Lily.
"I didn't think it was possible for someone to fake their own death so convincingly," Emilia mused, her light brown hair falling around her shoulders. She gave a small, sly smile. "But here you are."
Aidan, ever the mischief-maker, grinned. "A real-life ghost. I guess there's more to you than meets the eye, huh?"
"Enough with the jokes," Xander interrupted, his tone sharper now. He wasn't angry, just frustrated by the fakeness of the Carringtons' actions. "This isn't a game. Lily's been through enough."
Lily couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief at his words. It was clear that the Hawkes saw through the deceit of her biological family.
At the far end of the table, Caspian, the brooding one, remained silent, his green eyes fixed intently on Lily. There was an air of mystery around him, and his gaze felt like a weight pressing down on her. He didn't speak, but there was something in his eyes that made Lily feel like he was watching her every move.
Beside him, Lysander flashed a charming smile, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise. The dead walking among us."
His voice was light, but his playful grin didn't mask the underlying tension.
As they began eating, the TV mounted in the corner of the room flickered on, showing Lily's father's face. The announcement flashed across the screen, and Lily's stomach churned.
"It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of my daughter, Lily Carrington. She tragically passed away earlier this week due to an unforeseen incident."
Lily felt her heart drop into her stomach. The fake grief and hollow words were unbearable. She could see her stepmother, Sophia, dabbing her eyes with a tissue, but there were no tears.
"Such a tragedy," Sophia said, her voice trembling with false emotion. "Lily was such a sweet girl. We'll miss her terribly."
Beside her, Ava chimed in, her voice thick with pretended sorrow.
"I can't believe she's gone. It doesn't feel real."
Lily's hands clenched into fists under the table. The shameless display of their grief made her stomach twist in anger. These were the people who had betrayed her.
Just as she was about to respond, Damien's PA, Jin Park, entered the room.
"Lily, Damien is waiting for you."
Aunt Delilah gave her a gentle smile, her eyes full of reassurance.
"Go on, darling. Damien will help you. He's the one who really understands."
Lily nodded, standing up from the table. As she made her way toward the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something much bigger than she had ever imagined.
Would Damien be the one to help her navigate this strange new life, or was she already too far gone to be saved?