The dining hall buzzed faintly with the clatter of silverware. Ethan poured Lily water before she even asked. Luca tore through his steak with restless energy. Xander leaned back, smirking at nothing in particular. Xavier's eyes never left his phone, though his ears caught everything.
Then Alex's voice cut through the room, cold and commanding.
"Lily. You're going to school next Monday."
The fork slipped from her fingers, clattering against her plate. "No!" she blurted instantly.
All five heads turned to her at once. Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I-I mean... after ten days. I'll go then. With my friend."
Xander's brow furrowed. "Your friend?"
Luca snorted, voice sharp. "Pathetic excuse."
Xavier, still scrolling, finally spoke, his tone like ice. "Why would you go without them? Wait until they come. Then you join."
Lily swallowed, her voice small but stubborn. "I don't want to go without them. That's it."
Luca's eyes narrowed. "I asked why."
"Because... because none of your business!" she snapped.
The chair screeched as Luca stood so abruptly the table shook. Lily flinched.
"Luca." Alex's tone was warning, low and thunderous.
Luca clenched his jaw, tried to breathe, but the fury rippled through him. Unable to contain it, he stormed from the hall, footsteps echoing like gunfire.
Silence settled until Ethan broke it, voice soft as a whisper. "What's their name?"
Lily's eyes flicked to him. "Why do you want to know?"
Xavier didn't lift his eyes from the screen. "Looks like your mother never taught you to answer a question." His tone was casual, but his attention was razor-sharp, every syllable deliberate.
Her lips thinned. "No."
Xander burst into laughter. "Oh, I like this game."
Xavier finally raised his gaze, piercing and cold. His lips curved into a smirk. "I can see that. Because she's a bitch."
Lily froze. The room stilled.
Then her mouth moved before her brain could stop it. "Yes. I agree. She's like you. Like son, like mother."
Xander choked on his laughter, doubling over. But his laughter cut short when Xavier's head tilted, his eyes narrowing into something dangerous.
Ethan's fork stilled midair, shock flashing across his usually calm face. Alex raised one brow, silent but watchful.
"Repeat that," Xavier warned, voice low, lethal.
Her stomach dropped. Oh God. I just put my mouth in the lion's den.
"Xavier, shut up and sit down," Ethan said firmly, his voice edged with steel.
Xavier's glare didn't move. "You expect me to let that slide? Look at how she speaks."
Heart hammering, Lily pushed back her chair. "I'm leaving."
"No," Ethan's tone cracked sharp for the first time. His gaze pinned her. "Eat your dinner."
Her throat tightened. For a moment, she wanted to argue, to bolt-but Ethan's eyes, stern yet soft, left her no room.
Quietly, she nodded and picked up her fork again.
The room slowly returned to the sound of knives against plates. But the storm brewing in their family lingered-silent, watchful, inevitable.
Lily's POV
I ate my dinner silently, pushing the food around my plate. Why does this keep happening to me? Why can't I control my mouth?
I could feel Xavier's sharp gaze burning into me. Oh my god. I already know Xavier and Luca have anger issues. I really need to control my mouth better.
I sighed to myself. Once I turn eighteen, I'll leave this shitty mansion, and no one can stop me. Hehe. I'll finally be free.
I don't even like calling her "mother." She never cared about me anyway. After i leave mansion with my so called mom
She hired babysitters instead of spending time with me. Every time I felt alone, I hated my brothers and Father for leaving me in this mess.
But one day, when I was seven, I went to the park. That's when I met Rose. She was my age, and she became my first real friend. We played every day, and for a little while, I didn't feel lonely. Then I met Daniel Lisa's cousin, my only brother . He was sixteen back then. I trusted him, told him about my so-called past. Sometimes I even stayed at his house, my mother not care about i am come to home or not . Then when i- ..............
My thoughts snapped when Alex's deep voice cut through.
"Lily."
"Huh?" I jerked, blinking up at him.
"What's on your mind? I called you three times." His tone was low, commanding, and it sent a shiver through me.
"Sorry," I muttered.
He hummed, studying me for a moment before saying, "When your friends come, you can go. But I want to know their names."
I sighed. Why do they act like they care? I wanted to snap back at him, to tell him it's none of his damn business. But I couldn't. I was afraid. Afraid of his voice, his authority, the way rage flickered in his eyes.
So, reluctantly, I began, "Rose, David, b-"
A sudden bang cut me off. I flinched hard, my fork clattering onto the plate. The sound came from the end of the table-not other than my so called meany shitty Xavier. His hand slammed down so hard the table rattled.
"What the fuck!" he roared.
My chest tightened. See? I knew it.he is Crazy. Completely mental.
I feel pity for him for his mental stage. Hmm i have kind hearted (just kidding)
Xavier's glare locked onto me. "How dare you have a male friend?"
My anger sparked instantly. Oh really? He thinks he has the right to question me?
"Xavier, sit down." Ethan's voice was sharp, commanding, like steel under silk. Xavier growled but obeyed, though his eyes still burned with fury.
I glanced around the table. Alex's eyes were cold, filled with rage he didn't bother hiding. Ethan's warm demeanor had shifted into something hard, protective. Even Xander-who usually teased-was silent, his jaw tight.
"Continue," Alex ordered, his voice so stern it made my whole body shiver.
I swallowed hard. "Bella. She's my friend." My voice trembled, but I forced the words out.
Xavier's hand clenched into a fist. "You are not allowed to have boyfriends."
No way. Did he just-? I wanted so badly to lift my middle finger at him, but instead I leaned back, my irritation slipping out in my tone. "Why?"
"Because I said so." His answer was cold, absolute.
I narrowed my eyes. "Ohhh, what if I say no"
Silence dropped over the table like a blade. Xander muttered under his breath, "Thank God Luca isn't here... otherwise..." He didn't finish, but I got the point.
I shoved the last bite into my mouth, stood up, and pushed my chair back. I was done. As I turned to leave, Alex's voice followed me, heavy and final.
"It's better if you cut your friendship with him."
I didn't look back. "No," I said simply, and walked away toward my room.
My heart was racing, my hands trembling. I hated them. Hated their control, their rules, their anger. But deep inside, a whisper I didn't want to hear reminded me: I was still afraid.
Once I got courage i will explode.
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