The soft light of early morning seeped through the heavy curtains, casting a delicate glow on the grand room. Lily stirred in the bed, her body stiff from the unfamiliarity of her surroundings. Her mind was foggy, still reeling from the events that had unfolded in such a short time. But as the reality of the day began to settle in, one thought rose to the surface — today was her wedding day.
The wedding contract she had signed with Damien had made it official, but the weight of the decision still felt heavy on her shoulders. She couldn't quite reconcile the idea of marrying a man she barely knew, a man whose world was so far removed from her own. The darkness that surrounded him, the secrets he kept, and the promises he made — they all felt like a whirlwind that she had no choice but to ride out.
Lily sat up in the massive bed, her hand instinctively brushing her hair out of her face. She felt a strange sense of determination rising within her. This day, however bizarre and uncomfortable, was one she needed to face head-on.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still early. She had a little time before the ceremony, and she wasn't about to sit around doing nothing. She needed to feel like she had some control, even if just for a moment.
With a sigh, she stood, stretching her stiff limbs, and walked over to the grand, polished vanity. The room was silent except for the soft sound of her footsteps and the occasional creak of the mansion settling. Lily looked at herself in the mirror — the woman who had been thrust into this life, this world. Who was she now?
Taking a deep breath, she pulled her hair back into a messy bun and decided to do something familiar, something that might ground her in this chaotic moment.
With a swift shower, Lily changed her hospital wear for a short shapely black gown, and headed toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was a massive, open space with gleaming countertops and state-of-the-art appliances that seemed to glisten under the warm light. The room smelled faintly of herbs and fresh bread from the night before. For a moment, she simply stood there, unsure of where to begin. But then, with a sense of purpose, she rolled up her sleeves and began preparing breakfast. She wasn't sure why she felt compelled to do this — maybe it was a way to distract herself from the looming wedding, or perhaps it was the first thing she could do to feel like she was making a choice, even in the midst of everything.
She cracked eggs into a bowl, whisked them vigorously, and soon the delicious scent of scrambled eggs filled the air. She chopped vegetables for a fresh salad, and set a few crispy croissants on the counter, all while humming a quiet tune to herself.
Lily was just finishing up when the sound of footsteps echoed through the grand hallway. The first to arrive were Damien's younger siblings—Xander, Cassandra, and Selene. They walked into the kitchen, their voices filled with the laughter and banter typical of siblings who had known each other their entire lives.
Xander, the eldest of the siblings, entered first, his tall frame filling the doorway. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room briefly before he smiled faintly at Lily. He wore a well-tailored dark blazer, the fabric smooth and sleek, paired with crisp slacks that highlighted his athletic build. His black tie was slightly loosened at the collar, giving him a relaxed yet sophisticated look. The silver cufflinks on his wrists glinted in the morning light, adding an extra layer of elegance to his appearance. His presence was imposing, but his casual demeanor suggested that he was comfortable in the luxurious surroundings.
"Wow, Lily, this smells amazing!" Cassandra exclaimed, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face. She wore a white blouse with lace detailing at the collar and black high-waisted pants that made her look effortlessly chic. A pair of black ankle boots completed the look, giving her a stylish edge. She smiled brightly as she took a seat at the kitchen island, her eyes full of genuine curiosity. "I didn't know you could cook."
Lily smiled, offering a half-shrug. "Well, I've had to cook for myself for a while now," she replied, trying to keep her tone light, despite the swirl of emotions inside her. "I thought it might be nice to start the day off with something familiar."
Selene, the third eldest, followed behind, her raven-black hair tumbling over her shoulders in waves. She was dressed in a high-neck black dress, the fabric flowing softly around her body, paired with tall leather boots that made her look both graceful and intimidating. Her dark eyes studied Lily intently as she moved to the table, her face an unreadable mask. There was a quiet tension in her posture, but her voice, when she spoke, was smooth and low.
"I didn't expect you to be so… domestic," Selene said, her voice barely above a murmur, though her tone wasn't mocking. It was more like a quiet observation, as though she was still sizing Lily up.
Lily chuckled lightly, though there was a slight edge to her voice. "I guess you don't know me that well yet," she replied, dishing up plates for everyone.
As they sat down to eat, more of Damien's siblings trickled in — Emilia and Aidan, the twins, who seemed to have an unspoken connection, finishing each other's sentences with ease. Emilia wore a simple but elegant cream-colored sweater tucked into a black pleated skirt, while Aidan, the more reserved twin, was dressed in a black denim jacket over a gray T-shirt and dark jeans. Despite their differences in style, they shared the same sharp, intelligent eyes, and their synchrony in conversation was uncanny.
Caspian, the brooding one with the piercing green eyes, was next. His tousled dark hair framed his face like a storm cloud, and he wore a fitted leather jacket over a dark green shirt. His jeans were well-worn, and his heavy boots made a quiet thud as he entered the room. He didn't say much, but his presence filled the room with a subtle intensity.
Lysander, the charming one, followed closely behind. He had a playful grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes, dressed in a dark navy blazer that contrasted sharply with his light blue dress shirt underneath. His style was polished, but there was an undeniable swagger to his movements. His light-hearted chatter brightened the room, but his smoldering gaze occasionally lingered on Lily with a certain curiosity.
Julian, quiet and reserved, entered then. His expression was distant, his dark hair falling into his eyes, and he wore a black hoodie over a gray T-shirt with ripped jeans, the most casual of the group. He didn't speak, but his quiet demeanor seemed to draw attention nonetheless.
And lastly, there was Kaia, the wild child, who bounced into the room with her usual energetic flair. Her bright orange jacket contrasted sharply with her black ripped jeans, and her sneakers were worn but stylish. She had a mischievous glint in her eyes, and her wild curls bounced as she moved. Her presence was as vibrant and unpredictable as her fashion choices.
The room buzzed with conversation as they all dug into the breakfast Lily had prepared. For a moment, everything felt almost normal — like a regular family gathering. But the reality of the situation hit her again when her eyes flickered to the large TV mounted on the wall.
The broadcast was showing a news report — her face flashed on the screen.
"Lily Ashton, presumed dead after a tragic accident," the voice of the anchor said, his tone somber and official. "The family is still reeling from the loss of their beloved daughter, though some close to her have spoken out, expressing their grief."
Lily's stomach lurched as she saw her own face smiling back at her from the screen, the words "presumed dead" ringing in her ears like a cruel joke. She felt a sickening wave of betrayal wash over her.
Her biological father, her stepmother, and the rest of her stepfamily had all been so quick to announce her death to the public. How easily they had discarded her, how easily they had replaced her with their false grief.
Her gaze shifted to the three senior siblings - Xander, Cassandra, and Selene, finally recognising the crest of the school ID cards they wear wearing. It was ACE Academy, the same high school her younger sister, Emma, was attending.
"You three know my sister, Emma Carrington, don't you?" Lily asked quietly, trying to keep her voice steady despite the knot in her throat.
Cassandra, who had been the most talkative, looked up from her plate, her brows furrowing slightly. "Yeah, she was in our grade. We didn't know her very well, though. She kept to herself a lot."
Lily nodded, the weight of the truth settling over her. Emma had always been a loner, too afraid to reach out to others, too hurt by the coldness of their family.
"Please," Lily said, her voice soft but desperate. "Please... can you look out for her. She doesn't have anyone else. She's all I have left."
Cassandra seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then she nodded eagerly. "Of course, I'll take care of her. I promise."
The rest of the siblings looked at one another, some of them uncomfortable, others uncertain. It was Damien who spoke next, his voice low and firm, his gaze darkening as he addressed them all.
"I don't want to hear anything about this again," he said, his tone carrying an authority that brooked no argument. "You all will look out for her. Do you understand me?"
The room fell silent, and even the usually carefree siblings seemed to shrink slightly under his gaze.
"Yes, Brother Damien!" they all murmured in unison.
Lily let out a breath of relief, her hands trembling slightly. She had done what she could for Emma. The rest was out of her hands.
Before she could say anything more, Aunt Delilah's voice rang out, interrupting the moment.
"Well, well, well! It's time to stop brooding and get ready for the big day!" she said with a dramatic flourish. "Lily, darling, it's your wedding day, after all! We don't have time for moping."
Lily turned to see Aunt Delilah standing in the doorway, her presence larger than life. She smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come along, my dear. It's time to put on that beautiful dress of yours."
Lily stood from the table, feeling the weight of the day settle around her once more. The day she had been trying to avoid, the day she had no choice but to face.