When my parents began to heal, Braxton joked that Lila was the light that brought us all together. He encouraged me to treat her like family, and I welcomed her into my life with open arms, sharing everything I could. But I had unknowingly let a wolf into my heart, one who would ultimately sharpen the knife that would stab me from behind.
The thought of that betrayal gnawed at my stomach, and I lost my appetite, setting down my fork after just a few bites.
“Is the food not to your liking?” Braxton asked, concern etched across his face.
I glanced around the table, my gaze falling on the spicy dishes that overwhelmed the senses. My stomach churned at the sight of the fiery peppers, and I shook my head. “It’s fine,” I replied, though I could barely muster the strength to sound convincing.
“Sorry, I forgot you can’t handle spicy food,” he said, his voice laced with regret.
I opened my mouth to suggest we talk about us, about breaking things off, but then a familiar voice floated through the door. “Braxton.”
Lila stepped in, her presence filling the room with an air of uncertainty. She wore a stunning white dress that hugged her curves perfectly. As she entered, her radiant smile lit up the room, but when she saw me, her expression faltered for just a heartbeat before returning to its charming facade. “Oh, Calla, you’re here too,” she said, feigning surprise.
Her smile didn’t hold the same warmth for me. If you looked closely, you could see the forced nature of it, a mask that barely concealed her true feelings. I met her gaze with silence, my heart heavy with unspoken words.
Braxton frowned, irritation flickering in his eyes. “Why can’t you knock before coming in?” he asked, his voice a mix of annoyance and resignation.
Lila flashed a playful smile. “I forgot! I promise to be more careful next time.” Then she turned her attention back to me, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Calla, mind if I join you for lunch? I’m absolutely starving after class.”
She directed her question at me, but her eyes were glued to Braxton, as if seeking his approval. Before I could respond, he said, “Of course, come eat. If you see anything else you like, feel free to order it.”
With a bright smile, Lila glided over to sit at his right side, her laughter bubbling over as she said, “No need! You ordered all my favorites.”