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Chapter 52
As Irene approached the door of the room, she heard a voice calling behind her:
— "Wait!"
She turned calmly to find Viola standing behind her, panting heavily as if she had been running just moments ago. Irene blinked in surprise—she hadn't expected to see her here.
Viola took a step forward, and after catching her breath, she asked in a worried tone:
— "Princess… are you alright?"
She moved closer, her eyes filled with concern. Irene replied calmly:
— "Yes, I'm fine. Why ?"
Viola said:
— "I noticed you didn't touch your plate throughout the whole party… and what happened with Anita earlier…"
Irene interrupted her with a faint smile:
— "It's alright, I'm fine… But why did you follow me here?"
Viola lowered her gaze slightly and hesitated before saying:
— "I just wanted to check on you… And also… to be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed to ask, but…"
She stuttered, so Irene gently prompted:
— "Yes? What is it?"
Viola raised her eyes and said:
— "Would you… would you show me the necklace? I mean, the one Lucas gave you… I heard it has yellow diamonds, and that's my favorite color. As you know, it's very rare, and I've never seen one up close… I just wanted to take a look because I'm thinking of buying one myself."
Irene was silent for a moment—she didn't feel comfortable with the request, but couldn't find a polite way to refuse. Finally, she agreed in a quiet voice:
— "Alright, come in."
They walked together toward the room, while Viola expressed her gratitude repeatedly along the way.
As soon as they entered, Viola's eyes widened in awe:
— "Oh my… this room is completely different! I've seen Anita's and Violet's rooms before, but yours… it's truly special."
Then she turned to her and smiled slightly:
— "Even your taste in decor is wonderful."
Irene replied simply:
— "Elizabeth decorated it for me… I haven't changed much."
Viola nodded in understanding, then suddenly glanced toward the bed as her thoughts began to spiral again. Curiosity was gnawing at her.
She asked in a shy tone:
— "I know it's a strange question… but do you and Lucas… sleep in the same bed?"
Irene froze for a second—the question was incredibly inappropriate. But she understood the intention behind it. She considered lying and saying Lucas slept on the couch, to protect her relationship with both of them—and her own freedom. But she realized that lying about something like this could be used against her… or worse, reach her father, endangering her life.
Viola quickly said:
— "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked… It's okay if you don't want to answer."
Irene looked at her and said calmly, without hesitation:
— "Yes, we sleep in the same bed."
Viola gasped involuntarily and covered her mouth quickly:
— "Oh! Sorry… I didn't mean to… I'm sorry."
From that reaction, Irene understood everything. There was no doubt where Viola's thoughts had gone. Pretending not to notice, she asked:
— "Miss Viola, are you alright?"
Viola swallowed hard and said:
— "Yes, yes… just… something caught in my throat suddenly."
Irene nearly laughed at the lame excuse, but held herself back and kindly said:
— "There's some water on the table. Have a seat, I'll go get the necklace."
Viola sat on the couch, trying to compose herself, sipping the water slowly as she watched Irene's every move.
Irene opened the wardrobe and carefully pulled out the box, just as she had left it that night. Then she walked over and sat beside Viola, opening the box to reveal the necklace.
Viola held it gently… her eyes sparkled, and her hand trembled with emotion.
Noticing this, Irene asked kindly:
— "Miss?"
Viola snapped out of it and quickly said:
— "Ah, sorry… It's just so beautiful… I got lost in it… It's truly stunning, Princess. I think it suits you perfectly… especially with your fair skin."
Irene smiled and said:
— "And I think the color would suit you as well… yellow diamonds would look amazing with your black hair."
Viola offered a faint smile, then looked back at the necklace, boiling inside.
"This should've been mine. Everything here… this necklace… this room… Lucas… and those words—those should have been said to me. How can she just take my place so easily?"
She traced the yellow stone with her fingertips, and finally thought:
"How dare you?"
Suddenly, she closed the box with a loud snap.
Irene flinched slightly and looked at her face, which had transformed in seconds… her expression had darkened, as if she were someone else.
Then Viola raised her head and smiled—but it was a lifeless smile, void of warmth.
She said:
— "It's nice when people get what they want… without any effort. You're really lucky."
Irene sensed a growing danger deep within. She forced a tense smile and replied:
— "Thank you… I hope you find a necklace that suits you too."
Then she reached for the box:
— "Since you're done, I'll put it away now."
But the moment she touched it, Viola suddenly gripped her hand. Irene looked at her in confusion.
Viola said nervously:
— "Ah, sorry."
And finally let go.
She stood and said:
— "Thank you, Princess, for your kindness. I should go back now… the tea party must've started."
Irene said calmly:
— "No need to thank me."
Viola said:
— "I hope we meet again soon… Princess."
Irene said:
— "Me too. Take care."
Viola turned to leave, but just before crossing the door, she cast one last glance at the bed… long, silent, burning.
Then she disappeared.
Irene remained seated, sighed slowly and said:
— "I should've refused from the start… I should've found an excuse."
Then she lay down on the couch and murmured faintly:
— "I'm tired. I don't have the energy for this either."
She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again and whispered to herself:
— "But… what happened to me this morning… I don't remember how I got to the garden. What's happening to me? Maybe Sally's right… I just need some rest."
And silence filled the room, heavy and still… until Irene finally drifted off to sleep.
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Meanwhile...
Viola arrived at the garden late. As soon as she stepped into the lit circle, Violet greeted her with a surprised tone:
— "Why are you so late, Viola? You disappeared for a long time!"
Viola gave a faint smile and apologized:
— "Sorry… it wasn't really up to me."
But Violet wasn't convinced. She noticed something strange on her face...
Viola was unusually quiet, barely speaking, and the absent look in her eyes was obvious.
She sat down and gazed around without interest, her mind drowning in muddled thoughts.
"That necklace… it should've been mine. The yellow diamond… he said he loved me and me alone. The necklace should've been mine from the start."
Jealousy began to cloud her heart, weaving threads of darkness through her mind.
At first, it was just a fleeting feeling… but now, she was seriously thinking of how to get the necklace. She was utterly convinced it belonged to her—and that she would reclaim it. Not steal it, just… take back what was hers.
Violet noticed the unusual silence. Viola had always been the one to start conversations, but now she was completely different. She leaned toward her and gently asked:
— "Viola? Are you okay? Does your stomach hurt?"
Viola quickly looked up and replied with a trembling voice:
— "Yes… a little."
Violet said kindly:
— "I have some painkillers, if you want."
Viola responded quickly:
— "No, no need… the party will be over soon. I'll take something once I'm home."
And she fell silent again.
The rest of the party passed quietly, unexpectedly so. Everyone was caught up in their conversations, while Viola remained still—smiling occasionally, but clearly only present in body.
When the party ended and the guests began to leave, Viola walked up to Elizabeth and Violet and said:
— "Thank you both for the invitation… the party was enjoyable and everything was wonderful."
Then she smiled and added:
— "I also hope you'll forgive Lucas… you both know how much he loves you. He didn't mean to hurt you."
Elizabeth gave her a long look, then smiled gently and said:
— "We'll see, dear. I'll give him time… time will bring him back to his senses."
Viola and Mirna both bowed respectfully.
Anita, who was standing near the door, said:
— "I'll walk you out."
She opened the doors gently, while Viola walked through the garden, the cold air brushing her face… but she felt nothing.
All she could see… was the image of the necklace, the shine of the yellow gem, and Irene's face as she held the box in her hands.
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Hey 😊 it's author d again tell me if you guys like the story so far! And What do you wish in the future maybe I'll try to add it in the original story
But if you're late it's ok i will always read the comments and add your wishes to the comming projects 😉