Chapter Twenty – Where Shadows Cling
The sun broke through the velvet curtains in slanted beams, but the warmth never reached the floor.
Asa stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His eyes were bloodshot, rimmed in sleep he never had. The cold water he'd splashed onto his face still dripped from his jawline, but nothing cooled the ache behind his ribs. The whispers in his mind were back. Echoing as loud as the silence he stood They never left, really—just changed tone.
You're letting her win.
You're soft.
You were meant for more.
He gripped the sink until the porcelain groaned beneath his fingers.
---
Downstairs, the estate was already breathing with activity. Brunch spilled over into midday wine. Laughter laced the garden air like perfume.
Nuria sat at the edge of a chaise, hands folded over her lap, trying to seem present. Her lips were pale. Her stomach churned.
She'd vomited again that morning. Milo had found her kneeling in the bathroom, shaking.
"You're not hiding it well anymore," he'd whispered. "They're going to know soon."
She had nodded, and that was all.
---
Celeste made her move.
She caught Asa in the west corridor, just outside the solarium, dressed in midnight blue. She blocked his path with a gentle hand on his chest.
"You know, she doesn't fit here," Celeste murmured. "She stumbles like a child at these events. Have you seen how nervous she gets?"
Asa didn't respond.
"I mean, Asa, you're you. You're not supposed to marry someone so... brittle."
His jaw tightened.
"She's pregnant, isn't she?" Celeste smiled, triumphant. "Oh, don't act shocked. You think women can't see these things?"
Asa finally met her eyes. "You don't get to speak about her."
"But I do. Because I would've never let you become this." Her hand rose again, almost lovingly. "Do you even see yourself anymore? You're unraveling."
He caught her wrist, gently, but firm. "Let go of the illusion, Celeste. It was never going to be you."
She wrenched her arm back. Her eyes glinted—humiliated, but not defeated. "Maybe not. But it still shouldn't have been her."
---
Later, Nuria stood at the far edge of the east veranda, alone. She watched wind shift the leaves of the olive trees. Her dress fluttered around her ankles.
A soft voice startled her. "You're looking pale."
It was Amara.
"No more glowing bride?"
Nuria turned slightly. "Maybe I never was."
Amara stepped beside her. "They're watching you. All of them. Whispering."
"About the baby?"
Amara raised a brow, then gave a delicate shrug. "Maybe. Or maybe they're just waiting for you to prove you're not worth the space you occupy."
"Why are you telling me this? We don't even know each other"
"Because I don't like Celeste. I never had , and never will, But I like honesty. And you need to know you're surrounded by people who smile with their teeth but not their hearts."
She paused. "Except Asa. He's the only one who's ever scared me."
Nuria's lips parted. "Why?"
Amara smiled faintly. "Because he's breaking. And men like that don't break quietly."
---
By evening, the family was gathered in the formal dining hall. Rich golden light poured through the tall windows. The table stretched long and regal, lined with crystal, cutlery, and half-drained wine glasses.
Nuria sat beside Asa.
He hadn't spoken since morning.
Her hand brushed his under the table. It was ice cold. He didn't move.
From across the room, Dorian watched with a calm, unreadable expression. His eyes flicked between them like a conductor tracking a crescendo.
Midway through the meal, Nuria suddenly stood, hand to her mouth. The motion was too quick, too sharp.
She fled.
The hall fell silent.
Genevieve murmured, "Again?"
Celeste laughed softly. "She really might be."
Aunt Colette leaned toward Vivienne. "Should we check on her?"
But someone else spoke first.
Jules, the cousin with the camcorder, looked directly at Asa. "Is she pregnant?"
Asa didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
He didn't say yes.
Didn't say no.
Instead, he stood from the table, the chair scraping behind him.
"Excuse me."
And he walked out.
---
He found Nuria in the north corridor, crouched against the wall, breathing hard.
He knelt beside her. "You okay?"
She nodded, though her eyes brimmed.
"You didn't deny it, did you?" she whispered.
He looked at her, and something splintered in his eyes.
"They don't matter."
"But you do. And you're fading from me."
Asa stood. His shadow fell over her.
"I need air."
He left before she could speak again.
---
In the cellar, a mysterious person waited .
Asa entered and shut the door behind him.
The voice was soft now.
"They know , not entirely but they have a hint."
Asa sat slowly on the cold bench.
"You saw their faces. You saw hers. She's dragging you deeper."
Silence.
Then the person crouched in front of him.
"This is your moment, Asa. You end it now. Or you become something she breaks completely."
A pause. Breath.
But she's carrying my baby?
Doesn't matter, that baby was a mistake, your mistake , it should have never been, do you want to have a child from your father's murderer?
"Asa , come on, it's not even a baby yet, so no need to worry too much about it , now tell me, are you ready?"
Asa didn't speak. Didn't nod.
But he didn't leave.
And the man smiled.
A whisper:
"Tomorrow. You choose."