The word burned on her tongue, but Ariella swallowed it. Instead, she lowered her lashes, fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "Forgive me. I suppose I was only… insecure."
Let him think I am still a fragile girl. Let him underestimate me.
Ethan reached across the low table, brushing his fingers lightly over hers. His touch was warm, deliberate, the kind that in her first life had made her cheeks flush and her pulse quicken.
Now, Ariella forced herself not to recoil.
"You need never be insecure," he murmured, his voice a velvet caress. "You are mine, Ariella. No one will ever take your place."
Yours?
The word slashed through her mind. Images of his betrayal, of Selena's mocking laughter, of her own bloodied hands, surged to the surface.
Her grip tightened on the cup until the porcelain nearly cracked.
But she smiled, serene as ever. "Then I shall trust you."
Inside, she vowed: And then I shall destroy you.
The door creaked open.
Both turned their heads as Selena Hayes stepped into the room.
The sight of her sent a jolt through Ariella's chest.
Selena her closest friend, her confidante, her sister in all but blood. The girl who had held her hand in laughter and tears, who had whispered encouragement in the dead of night, who had stood by her side in every triumph.
The girl who, in the end, had been the one behind it all.
Ariella's pulse pounded in her ears. Rage, grief, and disbelief threatened to drown her, but she forced her face into calm delight.
"Selena!" she exclaimed, rising gracefully. "What a surprise."
Selena smiled, radiant and disarming, her honey-blonde curls bouncing as she crossed the room. "I heard Lord Ethan was visiting and thought I might greet him as well. I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all," Ethan said smoothly, standing to bow. "It's always a pleasure to see you, Lady Selena."
Ariella's jaw ached from how tightly she held her smile.
Of course. Always a pleasure. The two of you played me like a fool for years, and I never saw it. Not until it was too late.
Selena settled beside Ariella, taking her hand warmly. "My dearest Ella, you look stunning today. That gown suits you perfectly."
Her words were laced with affection, but Ariella heard the venom beneath them. Compliments, always laced with comparison, with subtle undermining.
In her first life, she had basked in such words, believing them sincere.
This time, she squeezed Selena's hand lightly, her smile never faltering. "Thank you, Lena. You always know how to make me feel special."
Selena blinked at her response. For once, there was no girlish giggle, no blushing dismissal. Ariella met her gaze steadily, her own eyes calm pools that revealed nothing.
Selena recovered quickly, her smile widening. "Of course. You are special."
And I will show you just how special I am, Selena. Special enough to tear apart the mask you wear.
The three of them sat together, the air thick with unspoken currents. Ethan charmed, Selena sparkled, Ariella played the perfect role.
But beneath it all, Ariella's mind was working, weaving, watching.
She noticed the way Ethan's gaze lingered a fraction too long on Selena.
The way Selena's laughter chimed just a little too brightly at Ethan's jokes.
The way their eyes flickered, too quickly, as if sharing secrets no one else could see.
In my last life, I thought this was my imagination. This time, I see it clearly. You were always allies. Always lovers in shadows. And I was the stage you performed on.
Ariella's lips curved faintly. Not anymore.
The afternoon sun bathed the Stone estate gardens in warm light, scattering golden flecks over the rose bushes and marble paths. Ariella walked slowly along the hedges, her skirts brushing against lavender blooms, her mind a whirlpool of memories and calculations.
Selena trailed beside her, her laughter soft and musical, as though nothing in the world could ever taint her. "You've been so quiet today, Ella. Are you nervous about Ethan's visit?"
In her first life, Ariella would have blushed, stammered, confessed her silly worries about whether Ethan liked her gown, her smile, her voice. Selena would have comforted her while feeding her tiny morsels of doubt.
But this time, Ariella smiled faintly, her eyes on the roses. "Nervous? No. Why should I be?"
Selena blinked, her steps faltering for just a fraction of a second. "Well, he is your fiancé. It's natural to want to please him."
Ariella plucked a rose, careful to avoid the thorns. "And what about him wanting to please me?"
The words hung in the air, sharp and unexpected. Selena's practiced smile wavered before she let out a soft laugh. "Of course, of course. Ethan adores you. Anyone can see it."
Lies, Ariella thought, tucking the rose into her hair. He adored only what he could take from me. And you… you adored watching it happen.
She turned her gaze to Selena, her lips curving sweetly. "Do you know, Lena? I've been thinking. I shouldn't always rely on others to tell me who adores me. I should learn to see clearly for myself."
Selena's fingers tightened around her lace fan. Her eyes flickered just for a heartbeat before her smile returned. "Ella, what a strange thing to say. You've always been too suspicious of people."
Suspicious? In her past life, Selena had said those exact words when Ariella voiced her rare doubts. Every time, Ariella had laughed it off, ashamed of herself. Every time, she had silenced her instincts.
Not now.
"Perhaps," Ariella said lightly, her gaze drifting to the distant fountain where water glimmered in the sunlight. "But suspicion keeps roses alive, does it not? Otherwise, the pests devour them."
Selena's laughter faltered. The garden seemed quieter, as if holding its breath.
Ariella watched her friend carefully, savoring the flicker of unease that crossed her face. You don't know me anymore, do you, Selena? You think I'm still the naive girl who trusts every word. But I've seen what hides behind that smile. And this time, I'll play you at your own game.
They walked farther down the path, their conversation dipping into trivial matters the upcoming ball, a new dressmaker in town, the latest gossip among noble families. Selena spoke easily, as always, her tone airy and affectionate.
But Ariella's mind was sharp, dissecting every word, every pause. Beneath Selena's chatter were subtle needles:
"I heard Ethan looked rather taken with Lady Maribelle the other day…"
"You've always been shy in crowds. Ethan might find that frustrating one day…"
"Of course, I'll always stand by you, no matter what others say."
In her first life, these comments had burrowed deep, poisoning her thoughts until she doubted herself and clung harder to Ethan.