Ethilia's POV:
I honestly had no idea what got into me, but I knew one thing for sure: this woman is mine, and I'm ready to accept it.
I wasn't ready for it. I didn't even want it to happen. But that night, whatever Laura said... it struck a nerve. And I realized I had to accept it.
I needed to choose... not to fit into some social acceptance box, but because if I lost her this time… I knew I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.
Laura was more than ready to make a move on Liana.. and why wouldn't she be? Liana is someone anyone would fall for.
My thoughts scattered when I heard a knock on the door. I glanced down at Liana, lying on the bed with her head resting on my lap. My fingers were absently combing through her hair.
It was already noon, and she hadn't eaten anything since morning. She just wanted to sleep. Honestly, I wanted to force her to eat, but she gave me that cute little pout before lying down, and I gave in.
A small smile curved my lips as I gently lifted her head and placed it on the pillow. She shifted a little, murmuring something I couldn't make out.
I walked to the door and opened it only to find Laura standing there with a huge grin. I don't hate her, but… I just don't like her around Liana. I wasn't jealous. I wasn't. Okay?
She pushed the door open and walked in. "Don't worry, I'm not here to steal your lover."
I raised a brow, crossing my arms instinctively. "I'm not worried. She's just sleeping."
Laura walked toward the bed, and for some reason, a burning sensation rose in my chest. I wasn't jealous. I'm not the jealous type.
But still... why was I feeling this way?
She reached for Liana's phone, and my eyes narrowed. "What do you think you're doing?"
Laura paused, smirking as she picked up the phone. She didn't look at me. "Do you know what her pin is?" she asked.
Her question made me blink. "What?" I stepped closer, peeking over to see what she was doing.
"It's your birthdate," she said simply, unlocking the phone before setting it down with a huff.
I raised an eyebrow. "You were looking for something in her phone?"
Laura nodded, still scanning the screen. "Yeah… didn't Liana get any calls or messages from anyone since she came?"
I shook my head at the question. Her lips pushed into a small pout as she crossed her arms and leaned against the headboard. "Stupid," she muttered under her breath.
My eyes widened. "Excuse me?" I sat across from her, frowning. "What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "Not you, okay?"
I narrowed my eyes at her tone. "Don't roll your eyes at me," I said quietly, trying to keep my voice calm.
She pouted even more, but before either of us could say anything else, Liana turned, glaring at both of us with sleepy eyes. "Get your asses out and let me sleep," she grumbled.
I tilted my head, placing my hands on my hips. "Excuse me? What are you two even doing? Why are you snapping at me?"
Liana sighed and sat up before pulling me toward her. She wrapped her arms around me and rested her chin on my shoulder. "I didn't mean to," she murmured softly.
I stiffened at first, but then slowly relaxed into her embrace. Laura made a face and threw her hands in the air. "Liana…"
Liana was nuzzling my neck, but when she heard her name, she looked up. "Hmm?"
Honestly, the nuzzling tickled me, but it felt… good. I could feel a smile tugging at my lips, and I knew I probably looked like a fool.
"Why didn't you take her number?" Liana complained with a pout.
I raised a brow and turned to look at Liana, "Whose number?"
Liana giggled and nuzzled back into my shoulder. "The one I told you about. Eliza."
I nodded slowly, forming an "oh" with my lips, then frowned a little. Why was Laura so desperate to get that girl's number?
Liana had already told me how Eliza helped them. I wanted to thank her too, but Laura never seemed like the type to thank anyone easily.
Liana rested her chin on my shoulder again and looked toward Laura. "You saw how she was hesitating, right? That's why…"
Laura looked down and nodded, her voice dropping to a whisper. "When you told her she could call you her elder sister, her face lit up. But… did you notice? There was pain in her eyes too."
I didn't say anything. Instead, I leaned back into Liana's warmth, feeling my heart melt with each breath she took against my skin.
"Mhm… and honestly, she seems like a pro at hiding her problems," Liana added, and I could hear the concern in her voice.
Laura leaned back against the headboard and closed her eyes. "And brave too… or she wouldn't have saved us."
I could hear the pride in her voice, and curiosity slipped out before I could stop it. "Why are you so excited about her?"
Liana buried her face into my shoulder, and I could feel her shaking. Was she laughing?
Laura blinked a few times, her cheeks turning a light shade of red. "W-what? I…" Her eyes darted around, clearly searching for an excuse, and that sight made me laugh.
"Honestly? The Laura, who always has an answer for everything, is suddenly speechless?" My words made Liana burst out laughing, and Laura crossed her arms, glaring away.
"I hate you both," she grumbled and then pouted again, Don't laugh."
Liana cleared her throat, and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. She stretched her arms and gently released me from her hold. It disappointed me a little, but I understood that she needed to freshen up.
"You go get ready," I said, turning to her. "I'll tell the maid to serve lunch."
Liana nodded and walked toward the bathroom. Once she disappeared inside, I looked over at Laura, who was still sulking on the bed.
"So…" I crossed my arms, trying to hide my smirk. "You're not interested in Liana anymore?"
Laura rolled her eyes. "I wasn't, okay? I mean, yeah, I loved her, but I'm not one of those evil characters who fights for love."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "The one who's meant for me will come to me eventually. I trust my destiny."
"Thank you," I said softly as I got off the bed.
Laura followed me as we both walked out of the room. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because you helped me," I admitted quietly, glancing at her. "If you hadn't threatened me to make a move on Liana… I'd still be stuck in denial."
Laura's eyes lit up, and she patted my shoulder. "So? You're going to propose to her?"
I could feel my cheeks heating up. I cleared my throat and muttered, "Shut up."
Laura laughed, dropping onto the couch as I walked toward the kitchen. The chef had already prepared lunch, and I smiled, asking one of the maids to serve it.
When I returned to the living room, Laura was already grinning at me... way too excited. Great....
At this point, I honestly wanted to jump out the window. But my inner voice taunted me again.
Maybe dig a grave and lie down instead. It's the ground floor. You won't die if you jump, just embarrass yourself.
Laura patted the seat beside her. "Ethilia, come on. Let's talk."
I sighed but sat down anyway, knowing she wouldn't give up easily. "What?"
"You won't propose, fine… but confess soon. We're leaving in two days." Her voice softened at the end.
My heart felt like it shattered into tiny pieces. Leaving? That meant Liana too. The warmth I'd been feeling just… disappeared.
I snapped out of it when Laura gently held my hand. "Liana doesn't know yet," she said quietly. "But we have to go. I got an email about it an hour ago." She gave my hand a small squeeze.
I nodded slowly, "I'll tell her," my voice barely above a whisper.
Laura gasped, her eyes widening as she started shaking our joined hands. "Wait! what? What, what, what?" she asked excitedly.
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my blush, though my heart was racing so fast it hurt. My throat went dry as she flicked my forehead.
"Say it," she teased. "What are you planning to tell her?"
I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, my pulse echoing in my ears. After years of running from it, denying it, hiding behind excuses… the truth finally found its voice.
The words that had been trapped for so long finally escaped. "I… love her… I love Liana."
My heart raced as if it could burst from my chest, but I didn't want to control it. Every beat, every flutter, felt alive… and beautiful.
It felt good to accept the fact… the fact that I am in love… with none but the only one who has always loved me in silence.