Liana's POV:
Char shifted awkwardly, and Laura giggled nervously, scooting away from me.
Ethilia forced a smile and stepped inside, setting a tray on the bed in front of me. I stared at her, trying to read her face, trying to understand what was really going on behind that calm look.
She pressed her palm gently against my forehead. Her voice was soft, too soft to be really coming from her. And it sent a shiver down my spine. "You should take your medicine."
I should be scared for my life at this point, but I felt a satisfaction I can't quite name.
I swallowed hard and nodded obediently, reaching out to hold her hand without thinking. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Char smirking, silently signaling something to Laura.
"Where were you?" I asked quietly, looking up at Ethilia. At first, she avoided my gaze. Then, after a few seconds, her eyes met mine.
"I… was…" Her eyes flickered toward Laura and Char before she again glanced at me. "Working..."
I shifted slightly but didn't let go of her wrist. Instead, I tugged her gently to sit beside me. I turned to Laura, "This is Ethilia." I introduced.
Laura's eyes widened in realization before she smiled brightly. "So you're the precious Ethilia?" she said, extending her hand.
Ethilia frowned slightly but still took it, forcing a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You sound like you know me," she said, glancing at me with quiet suspicion.
Char cleared her throat, subtly warning Laura not to say anything. Laura gave a nervous little smile and looked back at me.
I quickly nodded and said, "Yeah… she saw Alena outside, so…" I trailed off, hoping it sounded convincing enough.
Ethilia only nodded slowly before picking up a bowl from the tray. "Here. It's time for your medicine," she said, handing it to me.
I nodded and started eating quietly. Laura raised a brow, "I must say, Ethilia… you're pretty lucky," she smirked.
I really want to choke this woman to death at this point for hinting at things she shouldn't have.
Before she could go on, I choked on the soup. Char instantly cleared her throat to cover the tension. I really didn't want Ethilia to know that Laura already knew about us.
When Laura had proposed to me three years ago, I rejected her and told her I was in love with someone else. So, I wasn't ready to give anyone a chance.
Later, when Char met Laura, she told her everything about me and Ethilia. Over time, the three of us had grown close.
I glanced at Ethilia, who frowned, and her sharp gaze moved between three of us, but she didn't say anything. She folded her hands on her lap and just stared at me.
"Eat fast." She said, but her face was unreadable.
Was that an order? I don't know, but her glare felt way too familiar.
I swallowed hard and gave a nervous smile before almost swallowing the soup in one go.
Char bit her lip, trying not to laugh, while Laura cleared her throat. "So, my dear crime partner," she said to Char, "how about that house tour? I've heard a lot about this place."
Char nodded quickly, clearly eager to escape the tension. "Of course." She extended her hand toward Laura.
Laura took it and smirked at me before tilting her head. "I'll be back soon, sweetheart." And with that, she and Char left, giggling.
I choked on nothing this time. Ethilia sighed and gently patted my back, even though her body practically radiated anger. Clearly, those two had done that intentionally.
What kind of friend digs her own friend's grave?
I turned slowly toward Ethilia, but the moment I saw her glare, I quickly looked away. My pulse raced as I tried to steady my breathing.
"Why are you sweating so much?" she asked, her tone soft but edged with concern.
I shook my head and wiped my forehead with my palm. "Just like that," I muttered, forcing a shaky smile.
She took the bowl from me and handed me a glass of water. I quickly swallowed the medicine, and before she could leave, I grabbed her hand again.
"Are you… avoiding me?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Her body stiffened. She drew in a slow breath, then narrowed her eyes at me. "No," she snapped. "It's just that you don't have time for me."
She jerked her hand free and walked out, slamming the door shut with a loud thud. I flinched at the sound.
Placing a hand over my chest, I felt my heart pounding. "What was that?" I whispered to myself.
Was she… jealous? Does that mean she actually felt something?
I stood up slowly and walked after Ethilia. As I reached down, I frowned as Ethilia wasn't around.
So I walked to Alena, who was now curled up on my mother's lap. My mom will indeed be a good grandma; the thought made me smile.
"Mom… have you seen Ethilia?" I asked and ruffled Alena's hair.
My mother hummed without looking up. "She seemed upset and went to the theater room. When I asked her, she said she needed some time alone."
I raised a brow and started toward the theater before my mother called, "Where are you going?" I didn't answer and made my way toward my parents' room.
I grabbed the master key from the drawer in their room and slipped down the hall, toward the theater room.
I opened the theater door as quietly as I could. The movie was playing, but Ethilia wasn't watching. How do I know?
Well, she hates horror, and this was definitely a horror film, yet she sat silently in the dark.
As I got closer, I heard her sniff, and the sound stung my chest like someone had stabbed me. I took a deep breath and made my way to sit beside her...
She flinched, and for a second I worried I'd made it worse. Then, when I held her hand, she didn't pull away or jerk. She stared at me with her teary eyes.
I brushed her tears away with my thumb and cupped her cheek. "Why are you crying?" My voice cracked on the last word.
I can't stand to see her cry. It hurts me in a way I can't explain, and I hate it. I traced my thumb along her cheek and tried again, softer this time. "Please… tell me."
She sniffed and pushed my hands away. I frowned and held her hands softly.. "Lia..." I called her softly..
She wiped her face with the back of her hand, and for a beat looked back at the screen. Maybe my luck was good because, at that exact moment, the ghost on screen lunged forward. She almost jumped, scooting closer to me.
Seeing her move in like that made me smile. I wrapped my arms around her tightly but gently, making sure she couldn't push away.
"See? Even the ghost didn't like your tears," I teased, trying to make her smile. She shot me a glare that didn't reach her eyes, then let out a shaky laugh.
It was cute and amusing... Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.
"Care to share? Who made you cry?" I asked, voice low. "If something's hurting you, I'll fix it. I promise." I looked into her eyes, which were looking at me accusingly.
She turned away but made sure not to look toward the screen and murmured, "You..."