Chapter 18

"What are you doing?" I asked flustered, my face warm. I kept my voice low as Lionel's arms were wrapped around my waist.

It was one thing for him to do this sort of thing when it was just us or the girls, but I couldn't believe he was acting this way when we were around so many other important people. I tried to calm my racing heart down.

"Your belt is loose." Lionel responded, shortly. He finished untied the fabric belt around my waist, tightening it around me and retying it into a neat bow.

He stepped back, his hand lingering along my waist. "Sorry if I was too close." He smiled politely.

I was about to respond to him when I saw Cora standing a bit behind Lionel. She was watching us intently with a glare. Her face was contorted in a jealous sneer.

I opened my mouth to say something to Lionel, but before I had the chance to, a crash sounded out through the room as Cora pushed a dessert table over. A few small plate with food crashed to the floor, some of the plates breaking on impact.

I jumped at the sound of the plates hitting the floor, looking back to Lionel nervously.

"Oh no." I said softly, furrowing my brow as a frown took over my face. "I really hope Cora doesn't do anything else to sabotage the party."

Lionel looked over his shoulder, seeing Cora storm off from the room as servants rushed to the table she tipped over to clean up her mess. "Don't worry about anything." He reassured me, putting a warm hand on the small of my back for just a moment. "I'll take care of it."

"Alright." I nodded, trying to calm my nerves as Lionel walked out to go look for Cora. I just really wanted everything to go well for the girls. They deserved to have a nice party for their first birthday together.

But despite all my nerves about the party, it was going well. The girls seemed to be having fun. The ran around the room, dancing and playing games with a few of the other kids from the well known families.

Patti and Vera even got Lionel to dance with them for a couple of songs.

Lionel looked begrudging at first, but even he couldn't help but smile as the girls twirled and jumped around him, giggling loudly. I smiled, watching them with a warmth blooming in my chest.

"Are you having fun?" I asked with a smile as Patti ran up to me.

"Yeah! This is the best birthday ever!" She grinned, wrapping her arms around me tightly. "Thank you."

She squeezed me tightly. Vera ran up to us. "Patti, Patti!" She exclaimed.

"Are you having fun?" I asked Vera.

"It's the best party we've ever had. Thank you, Ms Nan." Vera said with a grin.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves." I said, smiling as the girls ran off to go play games.

I was happy they were having fun. It was wonderful, but I felt out of place. Even though I was in a nice dress, and I had been invited, I didn't feel like I really belonged at the party at all.

It started to really get to me about halfway through the party, I stepped out onto the terrace to take a breath. No one had said anything or done anything rude or mean, aside from Cora knocking over a table. But it was all overwhelming.

I took in a deep breath, staring at the sky as the sun was starting to set. I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling a chill as wind rushed past me. It was a bit too chilly for me to be outside without a jacket.

I knew I needed to go back inside to the party, but I hesitated. The door to the house opened behind me. I turned around, frowning nervously as one of the maid's rushed towards me with a concerned look on her face.

"Miss Patti and Miss Vera need you." She said bowing her head to me, slightly. "They said it was quite urgent."

"Alright, where are they?" I asked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. "What's going on?"

"Please, just follow me." The maid said, walking back into the house and rushing through the hall until we arrived in a small room. But the girls weren't there.

It was Cora.

The room was small and dimly lit with two overstuffed chairs and a small side table between them. On the table were two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine between them. Cora sat in one of the chairs, her face buried into her hands as her body shook with sobs.

I had stepped into the room before I realized the girls weren't there. I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest as the maid shut the door behind me.

I didn't know what she was playing at, but whatever it was, I didn't want to be a part of it.

I took in a deep breath, trying to compose myself so I wouldn't snap at her. "I thought the girls were in trouble." I said, barely keeping the frustration out of my voice.

"I'm so sorry." Cora sniffled pitifully. "I didn't think you'd come to talk to me unless I said the girls needed you."

"I probably wouldn't have left the party, but if you approached me I would have been more than happy to talk." I responded, trying to remain polite.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Cora let out a loud, dramatic sob. "I should never have treated you the way that I have."

I bit my tongue to keep from saying what I wanted to. I shook my head with a sigh.

"I just want to be able to turn a new leaf with you." Cora said, looking up at me hopefully through tears. "I want us to be able to get along from now on. For the girls."

"Alright." I said with a nod. "I would love to be civil with you in the future, but I have been civil the whole time." I smiled politely.

"Thank you." Cora said, gratefully. "Can we mark this with a toast?" She asked, pouring two glasses of wine.

She stood up, walking over to me. She offered me one of the glasses with a fake smile.

I shook my head with a soft laugh. This didn't feel sincere at all. It felt like something was going on under the surface.

"No thank you." I responded. "I don't really like drinking, and I have been away from the party for long enough."

I turned around to walk towards the door.

Cora's demeanor instantly changed, any goodwill was gone. "Come back!" She hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me back roughly.

"Drink it, you stupid-" She grabbed my face roughly, pouring the drink into my mouth.

I gasped for air, swallowing some of the wine in the process. I felt my legs grow weaker underneath me as I struggled for air.

The door opened and a man walked in with a threatening aura. He looked at me lecherously and I felt fear take hold of my heart. It felt like everything was happening in slow motion as he walked towards me.

I heard Cora's voice, but it sounded distorted to me. Almost like I was at the bottom of a pool and she was above the surface. I felt like I was drowning.

"Do whatever you want with her." Cora said dismissively. "Just make sure you leave a mark." She sneered at me.

The man grabbed my arms, pulling me to my feet and pulling me against him. He held me tightly against his chest.

I sucked in a breath and fought to get away from him. I was weak and dizzy, but I mustered up all my strength, pushing away from him.

I stumbled away from him, running at the door and pushing it open with my full weight. I ran down the corridor, my heart stuck in my throat as I tried to get away.

I ran as far as I could. Ahead in the hall I saw Lionel. I forced my legs to keep moving towards him until I finally fell into his chest.

"Lionel." I gasped out, desperately. "Please, help me."